Mark Buckton - The Japan Times

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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

COMMUNITY / Voices / VIEWS FROM THE STREET

Jul 29, 2013

Tokyo: Now that Abe's coalition has a majority in both Diet chambers, what should he do?

I would like to buy a house in the future, so while housing loan taxes are low now, I would like to see Mr. Abe help those looking to buy houses by lowering these taxes even further. Also, I think that until the economy improves, the consumption tax should not be increased — for now.

Japan Times

COMMUNITY / Voices / VIEWS FROM THE STREET

Jul 22, 2013

Tokyo: Which famous Japanese person would you most like to meet and why?

If I had a chance, I'd like to meet the ex-Blue Hearts singer Hiroto Komoto, who covered issues such as many people entering companies all wearing the same suit, all wanting to join big firms and wanting to buy the same-style house. I like him because he 'sang out' about these things.

Japan Times

SUMO / SUMO SCRIBBLINGS

Jul 22, 2013

Hakuho moves past Asashoryu to third on the all-time greatest list

On July 21, yokozuna Hakuho became the third most successful rikishi in the modern era, even if his 26th yusho victory since first holding aloft the Emperor's Cup 42 tournaments ago came with something of a bittersweet aftertaste.

Japan Times

COMMUNITY / Voices / VIEWS FROM THE STREET

Jul 15, 2013

Tokyo: Which of Japan's many summer firework displays do you recommend?

I think the best fireworks display in Japan is in Nagaoka, Niigata Prefecture. Even though it is not the biggest in Japan, the huge round fireworks let off there are very famous and attract people from all over the place. I'm looking forward to seeing the Nagaoka fireworks this year.

SUMO / SUMO SCRIBBLINGS

Jul 4, 2013

Will Hakuho prove the party-pooper in Kisenosato's quest?

Hakuho, sumo's best grand champion in the past 25 years, will be aiming to win his fourth Nagoya Basho since being promoted to the top rank in 2007, and his 26th overall. Some would say this will be the toughest basho he has faced as a yokozuna.

Japan Times

COMMUNITY / Voices / VIEWS FROM THE STREET

Jun 25, 2013

Tokyo: Do you think conscription — in Japan or elsewhere — is a good thing or a bad idea?

I think conscription is a bad idea because we always say people are equal and can do what they want, and I myself am all for liberty and freedom of choice. To that end, people, whoever they are, must be able to do what they want, and if they don't want to [join the military], that is quite alright.

SUMO / SUMO SCRIBBLINGS

Jun 6, 2013

Nagoya to be testing ground for a trio of sumo titans

As Hakuho continues chalking up championships almost at will, mention of the 'other' yokozuna — Harumafuji (11-4) — in some sumo circles is now met with heads being shaken.

Japan Times

COMMUNITY / Voices / VIEWS FROM THE STREET

May 14, 2013

Tokyo: What do you make of Gov. Naoki Inose's comments about Muslims and Istanbul's Olympic bid?

I think many people in Japan see all foreigners as fighting with each other, not just Muslims. But, focusing on the positives [and ignoring Inose's negative comments], I see Istanbul as the better option [to be 2020 host].

SUMO / SUMO SCRIBBLINGS

May 1, 2013

Is Hakuho on his way to becoming the greatest ever?

On sumo's list of all-time yusho winners, Hakuho currently stands tied with Kitanoumi on 24 championships to date. Just three men stand between the Mongolian and the all-time record: Asashoryu at 25, Chiyonofuji at 31 and Taiho at 32.

Japan Times

COMMUNITY / Voices / VIEWS FROM THE STREET

Apr 30, 2013

Tokyo: What are the best and worst things about living in Tokyo?

I love how Tokyo is a big, chaotic mess, unlike my hometown, and I also enjoy getting lost when I am out and about, but the best thing is that I can eat and drink 24/7.

Japan Times

COMMUNITY / Voices / VIEWS FROM THE STREET

Apr 16, 2013

Tokyo: What have been your best and worst jobs, and why?

My current job is the best I've had. Since 2008 I've worked for a university entrance exam company here. The worst was also here in Japan, when I was working as an assistant language teacher, because I had different bosses, and the job description was so loose that it was far from satisfying.

Japan Times

COMMUNITY / Voices / VIEWS FROM THE STREET

Apr 16, 2013

Tokyo: Do you have a message for young North Korean leader Kim Jong Un?

Get a hobby. Play less Battleships. Kim should take up something else, such as darts. He really needs to show his generals who is boss, and needs to be a little more refined in how he demonstrates his power.

Japan Times

CULTURE / Stage

Apr 14, 2013

Takarazuka: Japan's newest 'traditional' theater turns 100

Ask your average Japanese person or non-native Japanophile to name a “traditional” form of domestic theater and the classics such as kabuki and noh would feature prominently.

Japan Times

CULTURE / Stage

Apr 14, 2013

Star Troupe's top otokoyaku star speaks out

Ahead of their current Taiwan tour, Yuzuki Reon, the current top otokoyaku (male-role actress) with the Takarazuka Revue, took time out between rehearsals at the city-center Tokyo Takarazuka Theater to share with readers of The Japan Times something of her view from such a lofty show-biz height.

SUMO / SUMO SCRIBBLINGS

Apr 3, 2013

Hakuho sets records, Harumafuji only raises questions

As was expected before the recent Haru Basho in Osaka, both yokozuna, on the back of too little practice, and too many public engagements started the tournament less than convincingly.

Japan Times

COMMUNITY / Voices / VIEWS FROM THE STREET

Mar 19, 2013

Tokyo: Do you have a positive or negative image of the police?

I have a pretty negative impression of the police overall, in large part as a result of repeated cases of young women reporting stalkers, the police then failing to act, and the stalkers eventually killing the women.

Japan Times

COMMUNITY / Voices / VIEWS FROM THE STREET

Mar 12, 2013

Tokyo: Do you support Japan abandoning nuclear power even if it means increases in electricity prices?

Even if it's true that electricity bills will rise, I don't agree with using nuclear power due to the simple fact that it is not 100 percent safe. And, whilst I don't have kids yet, I hope to be a father one day, and I don't want them to grow up in a nuclear-dependent world.

SUMO / SUMO SCRIBBLINGS

Mar 10, 2013

Will this be the basho in which Kisenosato claims his first yusho?

When the basho opens today, few rikishi will be as ill-prepared as the two yokozuna: Hakuho and Harumafuji.

SUMO

Mar 1, 2013

Wrestling's fall from Olympic grace sends wake-up call to International Sumo Federation

The quest of the International Sumo Federation (IFS) to have amateur sumo accepted as a bona fide Olympic sport has long been viewed as as a pie-in-the-sky proposition by many.

Japan Times

COMMUNITY / Voices / VIEWS FROM THE STREET

Feb 26, 2013

Tokyo: What do you make of the idea of having a romantic relationship with a Western woman/Japanese man?

At first, I thought I preferred Japanese women based on looks, but now I am actually married to an American woman. I was attracted to her as a whole — her personality as well as her looks.

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

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

Prize winner Maki Imoto catches light with glass

Prize winner Maki Imoto catches light with glass

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