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.
Japanese Baseball | NPB NOTEBOOK Sep 29, 2013
Few issues left in play as season nears finish
by Jason Coskrey
Nippon Professional Baseball has crowned its 2013 league champions and most of the spots in the Climax Series have already been spoken for. Even so, there are still a number of questions remaining and storylines to be wrapped up as the season enters the ...
Japanese Baseball Sep 27, 2013
Third-party report on ball scandal critical of commissioner
An investigating body looking into the turmoil surrounding the secret modification of Nippon Professional Baseball’s official ball, indicated Friday that commissioner Ryozo Kato is ultimately responsible. Kato, who had insisted since the start that he would not resign over the flap caused when his ...
Japanese Baseball Aug 15, 2013
Status of posting system may put Tanaka in limbo
by Jason Coskrey
Masahiro Tanaka figures to be one of the most intriguing NPB exports if the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles decide to post the star right-hander after the season. It’s widely believed Tanaka will request to make the move to the major leagues, and that Rakuten ...
Baseball | World Baseball Classic Jul 20, 2013
Japan eyes full-time baseball skipper for national team
Japan will decide on a full-time national-team manager by this fall in a bid to recapture the World Baseball Classic title in 2017, Kyodo News learned Friday. Nippon Professional Baseball and its 12 teams have agreed that Japan needs a full-time national coach — ...
Japanese Baseball Jun 13, 2013
NPB commissioner denies knowledge of changes to ball
Nippon Professional Baseball commissioner Ryozo Kato said Wednesday he had not been informed of changes made to this year’s ball to make it more lively. Kato said the decision was made last year by NPB secretary general Kunio Shimoda, and that Shimoda had done ...
Japanese Baseball Mar 29, 2013
2013 Pacific League Preview
by Jason Coskrey
The sky is the limit for the Hawks, who will be looking to claim their third pennant in four seasons. Softbank lost captain Hiroki Kokubo to retirement, but replaced him with Bryan LaHair, a 30-year-old infielder who was an All-Star last season for the ...
Japanese Baseball Mar 28, 2013
2013 Central League Preview
by Jason Coskrey
In order of predicted finish: Yomiuri Giants Manager: Tatsunori Hara 2012: 86-43-15, 1st The Giants led the CL in runs, home runs and stolen bases last season, and there’s more where that came from. Reigning MVP Shinnosuke Abe is unlikely to replicate a monster ...
Japanese Baseball | BASEBALL BULLET-IN Feb 10, 2013
Murakami ideal man for new U.N. goodwill ambassador role
by Wayne Graczyk
Kudos to Masanori Murakami, the first Japanese player in the major leagues, on his recent appointment as a goodwill ambassador for the United Nations High Commission for Refugees. “Mashi” is highly qualified to take the leadership role in supporting charities and, having been acquainted ...
Japanese Baseball Jan 30, 2013
Otani ready for new challenges with Fighters
by Jason Coskrey
Shohei Otani spent part of his Saturday afternoon being shepherded around one of Makuhari Messe’s spacious international exhibition halls while having ham shoved in his mouth.
Baseball | SPORTS SCOPE Jan 28, 2013
Buffaloes need pitchers to succeed in search for redemption
by Jason Coskrey
Tomoya Yagi will be attempting to revive his career when the 2013 NPB season begins. So will Shun Tono, Takahiro Mahara, and Kei Igawa.