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.
J. League | J. LEAGUE NOTEBOOK Sep 25, 2013
Marinos eye title after breaking clear of chasing pack
by Andrew Mckirdy
There is still plenty of life left in the J. League title race, but after opening up a four-point gap at the top of the table last weekend, Yokohama F. Marinos have taken a bold step toward their first championship in nine years. Marinos ...
J. League | J. LEAGUE NOTEBOOK Sep 4, 2013
Life goes on for Reysol after Nelsinho's shock resignation
by Andrew Mckirdy
Kashiwa Reysol are still reeling from the shock resignation of manager Nelsinho last weekend, but with the club competing on four fronts heading into September, there is no time for an extended grieving period. Nelsinho stunned officials, players and fans last Saturday by announcing ...
J. League | J. LEAGUE NOTEBOOK Aug 14, 2013
Omiya taking massive gamble with Verdenik dismissal
by Andrew Mckirdy
The J. League has seen its fair share of bold managerial dismissals over the years, but few can rival the firing of Omiya Ardija’s Zdenko Verdenik last weekend. Verdenik paid the price for Omiya’s recent dismal run of form having overseen a fifth straight ...
J. League | J. LEAGUE NOTEBOOK Aug 7, 2013
Weekend results deny Sanfrecce chance to stretch legs
by Andrew Mckirdy
League leaders Sanfrecce Hiroshima went into last weekend’s game against Urawa Reds with a real chance to pull clear of the chasing pack, but after crashing to a 3-1 defeat at Saitama Stadium, the top of the table now looks more congested than ever. ...
J. League | J. LEAGUE NOTEBOOK Jul 3, 2013
Gamba, Vissel on course for quick return to top division
by Andrew Mckirdy
The J. League first division returns from its six-week international break this Saturday, but beneath the top flight the race for promotion is in full swing with the second division reaching its halfway point last Saturday. Going into Wednesday night’s fixtures, Gamba Osaka led ...
J. League | J. LEAGUE NOTEBOOK May 9, 2013
Fans, players show class in reaction to serious accident
by Andrew Mckirdy
A serious accident that left two players in the hospital may have cast a pall over Monday’s match between Omiya Ardija and Sanfrecce Hiroshima, but the reaction of both sets of fans and players was a credit to the Japanese game. With the clash ...
J. League | J. LEAGUE NOTEBOOK Apr 25, 2013
Ardija not prepared to fade from memory after day in sun
by Andrew Mckirdy
Omiya Ardija took center stage last Saturday after setting a new J. League record for consecutive unbeaten games, but the unheralded Saitama side can expect plenty more attention if it manages to maintain its impressive start to the season. Ardija beat local rivals Urawa ...
J. League | J. LEAGUE NOTEBOOK Apr 4, 2013
Marinos turn back time with perfect start to new season
by Andrew Mckirdy
Yokohama F. Marinos may have one of the oldest teams in the J. League, but the three-time champions are aiming to have a vintage year after winning their first four games of the season. Marinos beat FC Tokyo 3-2 on Saturday to stand alone ...
J. League | J. LEAGUE NOTEBOOK Mar 7, 2013
Tradition there to be broken as new season gets started
by Andrew Mckirdy
The start of the 2013 J. League season last Saturday brought with it the chance for a new beginning, but some teams were more determined than others to break with tradition on the opening day. Urawa Reds went into their game at champions Sanfrecce ...
J. League | J. LEAGUE NOTEBOOK Jan 17, 2013
Promoted teams hoping to buck trend with J1 survival
by Andrew Mckirdy
Teams around the J. League have been busy parading their winter recruits this week, but if the recent travails of several promoted sides are anything to go by, this year’s J1 new boys will need all the reinforcements they can get. Ventforet Kofu, Shonan ...
J. League | J. LEAGUE NOTEBOOK Dec 6, 2012
Rudderless Gamba pay heavy toll for strategic mistakes
by Andrew Mckirdy
Gamba Osaka’s relegation to the second division feels no less shocking now that the dust has settled, but after spending only five weeks of the season outside the bottom three, perhaps the writing was on the wall all along. Gamba, J. League champions in ...
J. League | J. LEAGUE NOTEBOOK Nov 15, 2012
Sanfrecce, Vegalta prepare for final charge toward title
by Andrew Mckirdy
The 2012 title race has been one of the most open in J. League history, but with only three games of the season left to play, the championship contenders have finally been whittled down to two. Urawa Reds and Nagoya Grampus still maintain a ...