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July 05, 2025
 

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Andrew MCKIRDY

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Andrew MCKIRDY
Andrew McKirdy is a sports writer for The Japan Times. His main beat is soccer, but he has also covered rugby, tennis, volleyball, golf and even tug-of-war. A native of the Scottish Borders, he has written for The Scotsman newspaper and organized filming for a program on Japanese soccer for ITV television.
Japan Times
SOCCER
Jun 8, 2017
Halilhodzic demands fast start in qualifier after first-half no-show against Syria
Japan manager Vahid Halilhodzic has warned his players that they are in for a rude surprise if they tackle next week's World Cup qualifier against Iraq with the same laissez-faire attitude with which they began Wednesday's 1-1 friendly draw with Syria.
SOCCER / World cup
Jun 7, 2017
Japan warms up for World Cup qualifier with draw against Syria
Japan limbered up for next week's World Cup qualifier against Iraq with a 1-1 draw with Syria in a friendly on Wednesday night.
SOCCER / SOCCER SCENE
May 31, 2017
Gambler Halilhodzic hoping chips keep falling his way
National team manager Vahid Halilhodzic's willingness to take risks has worked out well in recent months, and Japan will be hoping that his instincts continue to pay off in its upcoming World Cup qualifier against Iraq.
PARALYMPICS
May 28, 2017
Wheelchair rugby ready to crash Tokyo 2020 party
Japan's No. 7 catches the ball but before he has time to react, a hulking, tattooed Australian is bearing down on him.
Japan Times
Rugby
May 27, 2017
Cheetahs blow out Sunwolves
The Sunwolves failed to pick up their second win of the Super Rugby season on Saturday after a 47-7 defeat to South Africa's Cheetahs.
Japan Times
Rugby
May 26, 2017
McCaw hopes to inspire kids with charity work in Japan
All Blacks legend Richie McCaw kicked off a four-day charity tour of Japan on Friday and vowed to bring a smile to the faces of children affected by the Great East Japan Earthquake.
SOCCER / J. League / J. LEAGUE NOTEBOOK
May 24, 2017
Latest leaders Gamba trying to hold position
Top spot in the J. League has changed hands with every weekend so far this May, but Gamba Osaka will be hoping to make their lead stick after taking over in first place last Saturday.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Society
May 19, 2017
Kanagawa woman finds success in crowdfunding matchmaking quest
A Kanagawa woman who started a crowdfunding project last year to bankroll her search for a husband is on course to reap the ultimate dividend.
Rugby
May 17, 2017
Sunwolves stay positive despite steep learning curve
The Sunwolves may have won only one game out of 10 so far this season, but Japan's Super Rugby team is confident that its efforts will pay off somewhere down the line.
Rugby
May 11, 2017
All Blacks open to scheduling match in Japan to get ready for Rugby World Cup
New Zealand head coach Steve Hansen hinted Wednesday that the All Blacks could play a match in Japan before they defend their title here at the 2019 Rugby World Cup.
Rugby
May 11, 2017
England boss Jones embraces challenge of tough Pool C
England coach Eddie Jones laughed off suggestions that his team has been drawn in a 2019 Rugby World Cup "Group of Death" after being paired with France and Argentina in Pool C on Wednesday.
Rugby
May 10, 2017
Japan drawn with Ireland, Scotland for 2019 Rugby World Cup
Host nation Japan was drawn to face Ireland, Scotland and two teams yet to qualify in the group stage of the 2019 Rugby World Cup at a lavish ceremony at Kyoto State Guest House on Wednesday.
Rugby
May 10, 2017
Japan coach Joseph ready to hit ground running in preparation for 2019 Rugby World Cup
Japan rugby head coach Jamie Joseph is keen to get a first-hand look at his 2019 Rugby World Cup rivals when the Brave Blossoms play Ireland in two test matches in June.
SOCCER / J. League
May 6, 2017
Kashiwa Reysol edge Cerezo Osaka for fourth win in a row
Kashiwa Reysol picked up their fourth straight J. League win after a fluke goal by Brazilian striker Cristiano handed them a 1-0 victory over Cerezo Osaka on Saturday.
SOCCER / J. League
May 4, 2017
Antlers continue mastery of Reds with shutout victory
Defending J. League champions Kashima Antlers returned to the scene of last season's title triumph to haunt Urawa Reds with a 1-0 win on Thursday.
SOCCER / J. League
Apr 30, 2017
Ardija shock Reds in derby to end winless spell
Akimi Barada scored in the 63rd minute as rock-bottom Omiya Ardija stunned J. League-leading local rivals Urawa Reds with a 1-0 win on Sunday.
JAPAN
Apr 26, 2017
Japan's Olympics and Rugby World Cup organizers pledge cooperation to ensure successful sporting events
Organizers of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and 2019 Rugby World Cup on Wednesday signed a collaboration agreement that they hope will smooth preparations for Japan's hosting of the two sporting mega-events.
JAPAN
Apr 26, 2017
Pachinko industry raises money for low-income students, but critics call it a marketing stunt
The pachinko industry is urging customers to donate steel balls from their winnings to help put hard-up students through university.
SOCCER / J. League
Apr 22, 2017
Rapid first-half scoring propels Reysol past Marinos
Kashiwa Reysol blitzed Yokohama F. Marinos with two goals in the space of two first-half minutes to claim a 2-0 win in the J. League on Saturday.
SOCCER / J. League
Apr 16, 2017
Golden oldie Miura continuing to surprise teammates
Evergreen striker Kazuyoshi Miura may have failed to extend his record as the world's oldest goal-scorer on Saturday, but his Yokohama FC teammates believe no other player will ever match his achievements.
A prophesied disaster (likely) won’t strike Japan this weekend
A viral manga prediction of a July 5 disaster has gripped Japan with anxiety and triggered an economic impact, but experts warn that while such dates are unreliable, the threat of a massive earthquake remains real. 
Magnitude 5.5 earthquake jars Tokara Islands amid flurry of seismic activity
A strong quake struck off the Tokara Islands on Thursday afternoon, with the island chain having recorded around 1,000 earthquakes since a burst of seismic activity first began on June 21.
Japan to require flight passengers to keep power banks within sight
The transport ministry has announced new regulations requiring flight passengers to keep power banks within sight to mitigate fire risks while on board planes.
Ghibli’s Isao Takahata exhibit shows how beloved anime is made
“The man who planted Japanese animation” exhibition includes a variety of sketches, drawings and animation cels from Isao Takahata films such as color design for characters by Michiyo Yasuda from "Grave of the Fireflies."
Residents of Tokara Islands begin evacuation as seismic swarm continues
Details about evacuations from Akuseki Island, located in the Tokara island chain in Kagoshima Prefecture, is seen written on a whiteboard in the city of Kagoshima on Thursday.
Ghibli’s Isao Takahata exhibit shows how beloved anime is made
“The man who planted Japanese animation” exhibition includes a variety of sketches, drawings and animation cels from Isao Takahata films such as color design for characters by Michiyo Yasuda from "Grave of the Fireflies."
Flag football facing challenges and opportunities ahead
Japan’s women’s flag football team at the 2025 International Bowl in Los Angeles in June. The sport is enjoying continued growth in the country.
From Hokusai’s Great Wave, shinkansen to One Piece: a cultural treasure box for Lego Japan
Michael Ebbesen, general manager of Lego Japan, says Lego bricks based on Japanese culture have a rich global appeal and are sellable around the world.
With farmed fish, RelationFish swims against the tide in fine dining
Chef Hideaki Matsuo (middle) and the staff of Oseto Suisan Fisheries prepare to check on their sustainably farmed fish.
As Southeast Asia heats up, a Japanese cooling giant sees a major opportunity
An employee of Daikin Cambodia explains the use of different tools during an air conditioner installation training session in Phnom Penh. Daikin is one of Japan’s oldest air conditioning companies, but as Japan’s population falls, the firm is keying in on overseas growth.

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