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April 28, 2024
 

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Mark Buckton

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Mark Buckton
Mark Buckton has covered sumo for The Japan Times Online since 2006 and has long worked with broadcast media such as the BBC and CNN when things go awry in the sport. He has contributed to six books on Japanese culture, and is a columnist at entertainment magazine Eye-Ai.
For Mark Buckton's latest contributions to The Japan Times, see below:
Japan Times
SUMO / SUMO SCRIBBLINGS
Oct 1, 2015
Kakuryu leaves questions unanswered after Autumn Basho triumph
In recent years, the Sumo Association has bent over backward looking to put bums on seats at the six tournaments held annually.
SUMO / SUMO SCRIBBLINGS
Aug 28, 2015
International Sumo Federation needs major reform, new leadership
With all the recent hullabaloo over Tokyo's scrapped national stadium costing too much, and being an over-the-top architectural white elephant (a new stadium budget was unveiled on Friday), few in Japan noticed the decision of the Tokyo Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games to give amateur sumo's ambitions of becoming an Olympic sport in 2020 a resounding thumbs down.
Japan Times
SUMO / SUMO SCRIBBLINGS
Jul 30, 2015
Time for Hakuho to bring down curtain on legendary career?
In 1971, when the great Taiho retired from the sport of sumo with 32 Emperor's Cups to his name, Hakuho was not yet born.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Voices / VIEWS FROM THE STREET
Jul 29, 2015
Views from Tokyo: What do you think of the decision to ditch Zaha Hadid's Olympic stadium plan and start from scratch?
Residents and visitors offer their opinions on the recently announced plan to abandon architect Zaha Hadid's ambitious design for a new National Stadium in Tokyo and reopen the bidding process.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Voices / VIEWS FROM THE STREET
Jul 22, 2015
Views from Tokyo and Osaka: Is Tokyo really the most livable city in the world?
Lifestyle magazine Monocle recently named Tokyo as the world's most livable city, but do residents and visitors in the capital and Japan's second city agree?
SUMO / SUMO SCRIBBLINGS
Jul 10, 2015
While fondly recalling late Takanonami's career, expectations rising for newest ozeki
In the run-up to the 2015 Nagoya Basho, on June 20 it was announced in the domestic media that former ozeki Takanonami had passed away at age 43.
Japan Times
SOCCER / World cup
Jun 18, 2015
White has Guam on move in 2018 qualifying
For a man who grew up on a council estate in Southampton, England, Gary White has come a long, long way.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Issues / THE FOREIGN ELEMENT
Jun 10, 2015
Foreign same-sex couples here enjoy rights that Japanese don't
Gay and lesbian non-Japanese couples married abroad can register as spouses with authorities here, but Immigration has mixed messages for foreigners married to Japanese same-sex partners.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Voices / VIEWS FROM THE STREET
Jun 10, 2015
Views from Tokyo: Should Japan legalize same-sex marriage?
As Shibuya Ward prepares to issue marriage certificates to same-sex couples, should the nation be moving in the same direction?
Japan Times
SUMO / SUMO SCRIBBLINGS
May 27, 2015
Terunofuji could be sumo's next yokozuna
On the back of his first ever Emperor's Cup victory on Sunday, Wednesday morning saw sekiwake Terunofuji promoted to sumo's second rank of ozeki.
Japan Times
SUMO / SUMO SCRIBBLINGS
Apr 29, 2015
Hakuho out for No. 35, Henderson out just to survive
When the 2015 Summer Grand Sumo Tournament gets under way on May 10 at the Ryogoku Kokugikan, for the first time in just over three years, Hakuho's dominance over fellow yokozuna Harumafuji and Kakuryu will not be the hot topic on the lips of sumo fans the world over.
SUMO / SUMO SCRIBBLINGS
Mar 26, 2015
Hakuho showing no signs of letting up
When Hakuho won his 33rd Emperor’s Cup in January, he was widely acknowledged as the greatest ever grand champion in the history of the sport.
SUMO / SUMO SCRIBBLINGS
Mar 9, 2015
Will SMS be the undoing of sumo’s latest foreign ‘star’?
Sumo has a new superstar. Or at least that is what the individual in question appears to be thinking at the moment!
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Voices / VIEWS FROM THE STREET
Feb 23, 2015
Tokyo: Why did you decide to run the Tokyo Marathon?
Mark Buckton caught up with some of the runners in a sweaty state after Sunday's big race.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Voices
Feb 2, 2015
Tokyo: Does anyone else share responsibility for the death of Kenji Goto?
After the killing of a second Japanese hostage, Kenji Goto, by the Islamic State group, Mark Buckton asked people whether others share some culpability in his death. Some interviewees declined to have their pictures and surnames published.
Japan Times
SUMO / SUMO SCRIBBLINGS
Jan 27, 2015
In praise of Hakuho, from those in the know
In the days since yokozuna grand champion Hakuho pushed ozeki Kisenosato from the ring on Day 13 of the Hatsu Basho at Ryogoku's Kokugikan to claim his 33rd Emperor's Cup, the man from Mongolia has been featured in media around the globe.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Voices / VIEWS FROM THE STREET
Jan 26, 2015
Tokyo: Should Japan be negotiating with Islamic State for the release of Kenji Goto?
After the apparent killing of hostage Haruna Yukawa, Mark Buckton asked people in Tokyo whether the government should be talking to the terrorists holding journalist Kenji Goto.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Voices / VIEWS FROM THE STREET
Jan 12, 2015
Tokyo: Why did you come to see the sumo today?
Mark Buckton talked to foreign visitors to the Ryokoku Kokugikan on Sunday as Hakuho began his quest to win a 33rd basho and become the most successful wrestler ever.
Japan Times
SUMO / SUMO SCRIBBLINGS
Jan 9, 2015
History in the making as Hakuho goes for 33 championships
The eyes of a nation will be on yokozuna Hakuho when he walks out for his bout on Sunday at Ryogoku’s Kokugikan Stadium.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Voices / VIEWS FROM THE STREET
Jan 5, 2015
Tokyo: Which New Year's resolutions have you ever kept, and which have you broken?
People in the capital discuss their past performance when it comes to those perennial pledges.
Town to block view of Mount Fuji in response to overtourism
The town government of Fujikawaguchiko, Yamanashi Prefecture, decided to set up a 2.5-meter-high screen to prevent tourists from taking pictures of Mount Fuji looming behind a convenience store.
In Japan, regional revitalization fails to halt population decline
Sakiyama elementary school in Tamba, Hyogo Prefecture, in March .Over the past decade, the government has directed efforts toward policies designed to give young people incentives to base themselves in rural areas.
Number of homeless in Japan hits record low
Homeless people sleep on the street in Tokyo's Shinjuku Ward in August 2021.
Ukraine is far from doomed
When comparing Ukraine’s military situation in 2024 to Europe’s in 1941, Russia’s defeat seems entirely possible.
Japan wants you to spend more with ‘luxury tourism’
Performers play a traditional drum unique to Wajima, Ishikawa Prefecture, in the prefectural capital of Kanazawa on March 16 to mark the extension of the Hokuriku Shinkansen line to Tsuruga Station in Fukui Prefecture.
Japan wants you to spend more with ‘luxury tourism’
Performers play a traditional drum unique to Wajima, Ishikawa Prefecture, in the prefectural capital of Kanazawa on March 16 to mark the extension of the Hokuriku Shinkansen line to Tsuruga Station in Fukui Prefecture.
Theaster Gates’ ambitious ‘Afro-Mingei’ brings Black Chicago to Tokyo
Theaster Gates' “A Heavenly Chord” lines up church pews before seven speakers and a Hammond B3 organ, a type of electric organ prevalent in Black American churches.
Casa del Cibo: A thriving jewel born from Tohoku’s harsh past
When chef Ryohei Ikemi moved to Hachinohe, Aomori Prefecture, and opened Casa del Cibo in 2011, it was the first proper Italian restaurant in the city.
Town to block view of Mount Fuji in response to overtourism
The town government of Fujikawaguchiko, Yamanashi Prefecture, decided to set up a 2.5-meter-high screen to prevent tourists from taking pictures of Mount Fuji looming behind a convenience store.
Kyotographie's strong 12th edition shines light into the margins
Yassine Alaoui Ismaili, who goes by Yoriyas, turned to photography, shooting motion while in motion himself, after an injury forced him to give up his career as a professional breakdancer.

Podcast

From easily navigable train stations to the helpfulness of its municipal staff, Tokyo has earned high praise for its commitment to accessibility for disabled travelers.
[Rebroadcast] Japan is doing better on accessibility than you may think

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
By Alex K.T. Martin

SUSTAINABLE JAPAN

Vol. 34: Tokyo, a vanguard city for sustainability
Vol. 34: Tokyo, a vanguard city for sustainability

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