Economy | ANALYSIS
Households to take hit from tax hike
by Tomoko Otake
The consumption tax increase will hit every household in Japan hard, with many people’s financial future hanging on whether their wages rise enough to offset the hike's impact.
More Sports | ICE TIME Nov 9, 2011
Mao needs victory at NHK Trophy to regain confidence
by Jack Gallagher
Just over one year ago, Mao Asada entered the NHK Trophy coming off her second world title and a silver medal at the Vancouver Olympics. The stage was set for a triumphant return at the Grand Prix event in her hometown of Nagoya. With ...
More Sports | ICE TIME Sep 14, 2011
Hino, Tanaka, Shoji begin Junior Grand Prix season with podium finishes
by Jack Gallagher
With the first two weeks of the Junior Grand Prix season in the books, Japanese skaters have posted encouraging results so far. Ryuju Hino started the campaign off on a high note by winning the JGP in Riga, Latvia, while teammate Sei Kawahara finished ...
More Sports | ICE TIME Aug 24, 2011
Kim's compassion enhances her legendary stature
by Jack Gallagher
“No man stands so tall as when he stoops to help a child.” — Abraham Lincoln A month after propelling South Korea to victory in the bidding to host the 2018 Winter Olympics, Kim Yu Na is showing no signs of slowing down. The ...
More Sports | ICE TIME Aug 10, 2011
Intrigue abounds after Mao sits out JSF training camp
by Jack Gallagher
The absence of two-time world champion Mao Asada from the recent Japan Skating Federation training camp provided more questions than answers. Word circulated through various reports that Mao was “exhausted” after the delayed world championships were followed by preparations for her new programs for ...
More Sports | ICE TIME Jul 3, 2011
Desire to inspire prompted Ito's return
by Jack Gallagher
With her storied career part of figure skating history, 1989 world champion and 1992 Olympic silver medalist Midori Ito has nothing to prove, but her wish to influence others was the prime motivation behind her recent comeback. Ito, 15 years removed from her last ...
More Sports | ICE TIME May 18, 2011
Morozov once turned down chance to coach Mao
by Jack Gallagher
It’s a story that few know, but is fascinating nonetheless, one that may have changed the course of recent skating history. Five years ago, shortly after he led Shizuka Arakawa to the gold medal at the 2006 Turin Olympics, Russian coach Nikolai Morozov was ...
More Sports | ICE TIME Apr 27, 2011
World title up for grabs in Moscow after long delay
by Jack Gallagher
After a one-month wait following the Tohoku earthquake and tsunami, the 2011 world championships originally scheduled for Tokyo are under way in Moscow. Prior to the catastrophe, Miki Ando looked like the favorite to win her second world title, having enjoyed an outstanding season ...
More Sports | ICE TIME Mar 30, 2011
France's noble gesture resonates in midst of crisis
by Jack Gallagher
It has been said that in times of crisis, people show their true colors. Some rise to the occasion and respond to the call through duty or compassion, while others fail to meet the test and are exposed as lacking fortitude or sensitivity. Didier ...
More Sports | ICE TIME Mar 9, 2011
Tanaka's silver at world juniors a pleasant surprise
by Jack Gallagher
Risa Shoji was Japan’s top medal hope going into last weekend’s world junior championships in South Korea, and though she finished a respectable fifth in ladies singles, the 14-year-old was overshadowed by compatriot Keiji Tanaka, who claimed the silver medal in men’s singles. Tanaka, ...
More Sports | ICE TIME Jan 30, 2011
Kozuka striving to improve despite recent success
by Jack Gallagher
It is amazing how fast an athlete can go from being overshadowed to casting a shadow. Just over one year ago, Takahiko Kozuka skated in the Vancouver Games as the third member of Japan’s men team. Veterans Daisuke Takahashi and Nobunari Oda were mentioned ...
More Sports | ICE TIME Jan 19, 2011
Resurgent Mao to lead strong team at Four Continents
by Jack Gallagher
Following last month’s dramatic national championships in Nagano, where Miki Ando won her first title in six years and Takahiko Kozuka broke through for his inaugural victory in a major senior competition, Japan will send a loaded squad to next month’s Four Continents Championship ...
More Sports | ICE TIME Dec 22, 2010
Mao facing intense pressure at nationals
by Jack Gallagher
On a crisp morning last week Mao Asada tore off triple jumps one after another during a practice at the Shin-Yokohama Skate Center. It looked like business as usual for the two-time world champion and Olympic silver medalist. As most already know, this season ...