Tag - samurai-blue

 
 

SAMURAI BLUE

Makoto Hasebe in action during a Europa League game in December 2021
SOCCER
Apr 18, 2024
Frankfurt's Japanese veteran Makoto Hasebe to retire at age 40
Hasebe made his international debut in 2006 and featured in 114 games for Japan while serving as captain from 2010 to 2018.
North Korean defender Kim Kyong Sok and Japan winger Daizen Maeda compete for the ball during a World Cup qualifying match on March 21 in Tokyo.
SOCCER
Mar 31, 2024
Japan handed 3-0 win after North Korea called off World Cup qualifier
With 12 points after four games, Japan has now qualified for the third round of World Cup qualifiers as well as the 2027 Asian Cup.
Satoshi Tanaka (second from left) scores Japan's second goal against Ukraine during the second half of their under-23 soccer friendly on Monday in Kitakyushu.
SOCCER
Mar 26, 2024
Japan beats Ukraine in under-23 soccer friendly
Japan bounced back from a 3-1 loss to Mali in another friendly three days earlier.
North Korean fans cheer on the national team during a World Cup qualifying match against Japan on Thursday in Tokyo.
SOCCER
Mar 24, 2024
The many twists and turns for Japan's canceled World Cup qualifier in Pyongyang
On Sunday, FIFA ultimately determined that the match wouldn't go ahead at all, which could hand Japan a place in the next round.
North Korean fans watch the World Cup qualifying match between Japan and North Korea on Thursday in Tokyo.
SOCCER
Mar 22, 2024
North Korea-Japan World Cup qualifier called off over 'unforeseen circumstances'
North Korea appears to have decided not to stage the match in its capital over worries about infectious diseases in Japan.
Japan's Ao Tanaka in action with North Korea's Yu-Song Kim during Samurai Blue's win over North Korea in World Cup qualifying on Thursday in Tokyo.
SOCCER
Mar 22, 2024
Japan earns scrappy win over North Korea in World Cup qualifier
The Samurai Blue now have three wins from three in their group and are firmly on course to reach the next stage of qualifying.
Japan head coach Hajime Moriyasu holds a news conference in Tokyo on Wednesday.
SOCCER
Mar 20, 2024
'Frustration' to drive Japan in North Korea World Cup qualifiers
The pre-tournament favorites and four-time champions exited the Asian Cup in the quarterfinals last month after losing 2-1 to Iran.
Japan fans during the women's team's Olympic qualifier against North Korea in Tokyo last month.
SOCCER
Mar 20, 2024
Japan warns football fans not to go to North Korea for World Cup qualifier
Japan and North Korea play in Tokyo on Thursday as part of qualifying for the 2026 World Cup, before the return fixture next week.
Hajime Moriyasu names his squad for Japan's two upcoming World Cup qualifiers against North Korea on Thursday.
SOCCER
Mar 14, 2024
Koki Ogawa and Yuto Nagatomo called up for Japan's matches against North Korea
Winger Junya Ito was overlooked after leaving the Japan squad during the Asian Cup amid a reported sexual assault allegation.
The men's soccer teams of North Korea and Japan clash in the East Asian Football Championship in Tokyo in December 2017.
SOCCER
Mar 12, 2024
Japan-North Korea World Cup game to stay in Pyongyang, says JFA
The JFA said it had been informed that the game on March 26 would be played at the 50,000-capacity Kim Il Sung Stadium.
Shinji Okazaki won the Premier League title with Leicester in the 2015-16 season.
SOCCER
Feb 26, 2024
Former Samurai Blue striker Shinji Okazaki set to retire
Okazaki earned 119 caps for Japan and played at three straight World Cups, starting with the 2010 tournament in South Africa.
Japan's national women's soccer team, Nadeshiko Japan, trains in Chiba on Feb. 13.
SOCCER
Feb 20, 2024
Japan heads to Saudi Arabia for Olympic qualifier against N. Korea
The game against North Korea was initially scheduled to be held in Pyongyang.
Junya Ito's lawyers speak to reporters on Monday in the city of Osaka.
SOCCER
Feb 19, 2024
Junya Ito files lawsuit seeking ¥202 million from women accusing him of sexual assault
Soccer player Junya Ito filed a lawsuit with the Osaka District Court on Monday seeking about ¥202 million in compensation from two women who alleged the winger and his trainer sexually assaulted them last year.
Japan's Hiroki Ito stands on the pitch with his teammates after their loss against Iran in the Asian Cup quarterfinals in Doha on Saturday.
SOCCER
Feb 5, 2024
Japan's Asian Cup exit raises questions ahead of World Cup qualifiers in North Korea
Former Japan star Keisuke Honda, who was part of the team that won the Asian Cup in 2011, said the country's soccer needed "innovative change."
Japan coach Hajime Moriyasu and Takumi Minamino look dejected after the team lost its quarterfinal match to Iran on Saturday.
SOCCER
Feb 4, 2024
Japan's well-traveled squad tastes bitter pill at Asian Cup
The exit was a predictable end to the tournament for a team that never lived up to its billing as favorites.
Iran forward Sardar Azmoun shoots the ball past Japan defender Takehiro Tomiyasu during the teams' quarterfinal clash at the Asian Cup in Qatar on Saturday.
SOCCER
Feb 3, 2024
Iran eliminates Japan from Asian Cup after late penalty
Iran, which won due to a converted penalty from the team's captain, had not beaten Japan in 19 years.
Japan midfielder Junya Ito has been accused of sexual assault by two women. Ito's laywer says he has denied the claims.
SOCCER
Feb 2, 2024
Junya Ito again out of Japan squad amid sexual assault allegations
The Japan Football Association had initially said Thursday the player was leaving but then backtracked on that decision later in the day.
Japan midfielder Junya Ito in Wolfsburg, Germany, on Sept. 9. Police have said that an investigation has been launched into claims of sexual assault involving the soccer player, allegations he denies.
SOCCER
Feb 1, 2024
Ito leaves Japan soccer team after sexual assault claims
Two women claimed Ito sexually assaulted them last year, but the player's lawyer said he has denied their claims
Japan's Junya Ito, seen during the 2022 FIFA World Cup, is accused of involving himself in a sexual act with two women without their consent last year.
SOCCER
Feb 1, 2024
Japan midfielder Junya Ito accused of sexual assault
Police are probing the allegation, according to a major publisher's news website and an investigative source.
Iran's Mehdi Taremi celebrates after scoring against Syria during their Asian Cup match in Doha on Wednesday.
SOCCER
Feb 1, 2024
Iran promises to be 'more united' against Japan in Asian Cup quarterfinals
Midfielder Saeid Ezatolahi said he saw Iran being dragged through extra time and penalties will make the team stronger for its match with Japan.

Longform

Later this month, author Shogo Imamura will open Honmaru, a bookstore that allows other businesses to rent its shelves. It's part of a wave of ideas Japanese booksellers are trying to compete with online spaces.
The story isn't over for Japan's bookstores