National Sep 12, 2013

Japan to protest Fukushima-Olympics cartoons in French weekly

Japan plans to complain to the French satirical newspaper Le Canard Enchaine after it published cartoons poking fun at Tokyo hosting the 2020 Olympics in the aftermath of the Fukushima nuclear disaster. One cartoon published in the Sept. 11 edition of the paper shows ...

Lifestyle | CHILD'S PLAY Aug 20, 2013

A big day out at the sumo

by Jason Jenkins

They’re sweaty, they’re chubby and they love pushing each other around. But enough about the folks at my family reunion, let’s talk about sumo. This quintessentially Japanese sport is a lot of fun to witness with kids, and the Ryogoku neighborhood surrounding Tokyo’s Kokugikan ...

National | CHUBU CONNECTION Jul 5, 2013

Hard-charging foreigners inspire Nagoya University sumo team

With the 2013 July Grand Sumo Tournament in Nagoya set to kick off Sunday, Osunaarashi of Egypt is grabbing the media spotlight as the first pro sumo wrestler from Africa. But sumo fever is also spreading at Nagoya University, where the sumo club took ...

Sumo Feb 20, 2013

Harumafuji dreaming big after overcoming early setback

by Andrew Mckirdy

Yokozuna Harumafuji insists the prospect of being forced to retire never once crossed his mind ahead of last month’s dominating victory at the New Year Grand Sumo Tournament, but the Mongolian refuses to speculate on how much more success he can achieve before he ...

Sumo Feb 19, 2013

Harumafuji saddened by bullying incidents

by Andrew Mckirdy

Yokozuna Harumafuji on Monday condemned the recent incidents of corporal punishment that have shocked Japanese society, but insisted parents must take responsibility for ensuring their children are able to stand up for themselves. In December, an Osaka high school student committed suicide after suffering ...

Sumo Jan 28, 2013

Harumafuji claims perfect record

by Dave Hueston

Harumafuji conquers rival yokozuna Hakuho, putting an exclamation point on his first title at sumo's highest rank on the final day of the New Year Grand Sumo Tournament.

Sumo Jan 28, 2013

Clown prince of sumo Takamisakari retires

Former komusubi Takamisakari, whose pre-bout goofball antics and gutsy performances made him one of sumo’s best-loved rikishi, has called time on his wrestling career, his sumo stablemaster Azumazeki said on Sunday. The announcement came on the final day of the New Year Grand Sumo ...

Basho Reports Jan 24, 2013

Undefeated yokozuna Harumafuji inches closer to title

Harumafuji took apart Kotoshogiku and closed in on his third championship title in four meets Thursday as chief rival and fellow Mongolian yokozuna Hakuho crashed to a second loss at the New Year Grand Sumo Tournament. Harumafuji watched Bulgarian ozeki Kotooshu (7-5) topple Hakuho ...

Basho Reports Jan 23, 2013

Harumafuji overpowers Baruto

by Dave Hueston

Harumafuji took full advantage of injury-plagued Baruto to scalp his 10th straight victim at the New Year Grand Sumo Tournament on Tuesday. The once-embattled yokozuna continued his rampaging ways with a dismantling of the Estonian sekiwake to improve to 10-0 and remained on a ...

Basho Reports Jan 22, 2013

Harumafuji bulldozes over Goeido

by Dave Hueston

The verdict is in . . . well, almost. After his critics had begun singing a Harumafuji requiem, the Mongolian yokozuna chalked up his ninth straight win with a thumping of upstart Goeido at the New Year Grand Sumo Tournament on Monday. Coming off ...

Basho Reports Jan 21, 2013

Yokozuna Harumafuji remains unbeaten

by Dave Hueston

Yokozuna Harumafuji pulled out the howitzer for Brazilian big boy Kaisei on Saturday to retain his undefeated record on the seventh day of action at the New Year Grand Sumo Tournament. Harumafuji improved to 7-0 as the sole leader with yokozuna rival Hakuho stalking ...