author

 
Menu
Search
 
May 06, 2024
 

Today's print edition

Home Delivery
Subscribe for more access
Kaz Nagatsuka

Meta

Twitter

@kaznagatsuka

Kaz Nagatsuka
Kaz Nagatsuka is a staff writer covering Japanese sports, including Japanese professional baseball, basketball, American football and individual sports. He has covered big sporting events such as the World Baseball Classic, the NFL Super Bowl and soccer's World Cup.
For Kaz Nagatsuka's latest contributions to The Japan Times, see below:
Japan Times
OLYMPICS
Jul 22, 2021
At a nearly empty soccer stadium, a subdued Olympic atmosphere
As New Zealand took on South Korea, it was impossible to feel a sense of excitement with the stands mostly empty.
Japan Times
OLYMPICS / Faces of Tokyo 2020
Jul 22, 2021
Little-known Japanese athletes the world should watch at the Tokyo Games
A number of the country's lesser known stars look set to make a splash on the world stage at the Olympics.
Japan Times
OLYMPICS
Jul 19, 2021
Rui Hachimura's arrival gives a boost to Japan's Olympic basketball dream
The player, who will serve as a co-flag bearer for Japan at the opening ceremony at the National Stadium on Friday, has his sights set on medal success.
Japan Times
OLYMPICS
Jul 15, 2021
Former Olympic marathoner has 'mixed feelings' about Tokyo Games with no spectators
Still, Mara Yamauchi believes that athletes will not be affected by the restrictions brought about by COVID-19 and the lack of spectators at the majority of Olympic venues.
Japan Times
BASKETBALL
Jul 14, 2021
Gavin Edwards, a late addition to team Japan, excited for Olympic opportunity
When a series of training camps kicked off for the Japan men's national basketball team weeks ago, Gavin Edwards was believed to be on the outside looking in.
Japan Times
MORE SPORTS
Jul 13, 2021
Female duo envision brighter future for women in football in Japan
A small number of women working in football are playing significant roles since returning to their school teams after graduation.
Japan Times
OLYMPICS
Jul 8, 2021
Raptors' Yuta Watanabe ready to play leading role for Japan
Watanabe has only been with Japan's Olympic squad for a few days, but he has already impressed fans in his home country with the skills he has honed in the NBA.
Japan Times
OLYMPICS
Jul 7, 2021
In subdued ceremony, officials urge Team Japan to inspire nation
'The Olympics will be the stage where the athletes can deliver dreams and hopes to people,' Japanese Olympic Committee President Yasuhiro Yamashita said.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Jul 6, 2021
Will rise in soft power offer silver lining for pandemic-hit Tokyo Olympics?
The games 'could help Japan maintain its economic and social position in Asia, where China has already overtaken Japan and other nations are growing,” says scholar Yuhei Inoue.
Japan Times
OLYMPICS
Jul 5, 2021
Wizards' Rui Hachimura headlines Japanese team for Tokyo Olympics
NBA forwards Rui Hachimura and Yuta Watanabe headline the team, which last competed in the Olympics in the Montreal Games in 1976.
Japan Times
OLYMPICS
Jul 1, 2021
Japan names women's basketball team for Tokyo Olympics
The Japan Basketball Association announced the 12-player roster for the women's national team for the Tokyo Olympics on Thursday.
Japan Times
BASKETBALL
Jun 30, 2021
Kyoya Sasaki hopes time with Tokyo Samurai will aid U.S. ambitions
The Morioka Municipal High School ace is among a growing number of players without an international school background who are developing through an elite basketball program.
Japan Times
MORE SPORTS
Jun 27, 2021
Japanese draftees ready for challenge of CFL training camp
Six Japanese players selected in this year's Global Draft are prepared to fight for their roster spot ahead of the league's Aug. 5 season opener.
Japan Times
BASKETBALL / B. League
Jun 25, 2021
Brave Thunders use social media to raise profile
The team's use of social media and other digital platforms has helped the Brave Thunders stand out among the B. League's other teams.
Japan Times
BASKETBALL / B. League
Jun 23, 2021
B. League sets standards for entry to new top flight in 2026-27
Clubs will be required to exceed $10.8 million in sales and maintain average crowds of at least 4,000 in order to take part in the 'New B1,' league officials announced Tuesday.
Japan Times
BASKETBALL
Jun 22, 2021
Filmmaker Naomi Kawase eager to improve WJBL's reach as new chair
The award-winning director is among seven women appointed to the Women's Japan Basketball League's expanded board as it seeks to capitalize on basketball's rising popularity in the country.
Japan Times
BASKETBALL
Jun 19, 2021
Japan blows late lead against China in 90-84 loss at FIBA Asia Cup qualifiers
Japan head coach Julio Lamas gave his players credit for performing well for 35 minutes of the game but said that the remaining five cost his team.
Japan Times
BASKETBALL
Jun 19, 2021
Team effort pushes Japan past Taiwan at FIBA Asia Cup
All 12 players on the roster scored at least a point to help Japan post its first victory in the third and final window of the FIBA Asia Cup qualifiers on Friday.
Japan Times
BASKETBALL
Jun 17, 2021
Sluggish Japan falls short against China in FIBA Asia Cup qualifying
A sluggish offensive performance cost Japan in its first game in the final window of FIBA Asia Cup qualifying, a 66-57 loss to China on Wednesday at Angeles City Foundation Gym in Pampanga, Philippines.
Japan Times
MORE SPORTS
Jun 16, 2021
'Twist Prince' Kenzo Shirai retires to focus on coaching
The 24-year-old, who has several original skills named after him in the vault and floor exercise, failed to qualify for the Tokyo Games during April's national apparatus championships.
Japan says Biden's description of nation as xenophobic is 'unfortunate'
The National Diet building in Tokyo
As visitors surge, Japan seeks ways to make tourism eco-friendly
Much like other hot spots across Okinawa, Onna has diligently strived to captivate both domestic and international tourists, while at the same time grappling with the environmental strain induced by the influx of visitors.
G7 eyes plan on U.S.-led $50 billion aid package for Ukraine
A local resident visits the Lychakiv cemetery in Lviv, Ukraine, on Thursday. The U.S. is in talks with close partners to lead a group of allies that would give as much as $50 billion in aid to Ukraine.
Japan drops to 70th in press freedom rankings
A businessman reads a newspaper outside a train station in Tokyo.
Kishida talks up bolstered Latin American ties as China cements position
Prime Minister Fumio Kishida holds a news conference in Sao Paulo on Saturday.
'Monster' Inoue ready to tear down Luis Nery in title defense at Tokyo Dome
Naoya Inoue (left) and Luis Nery following a pre-fight news conference in Yokohama on Saturday, two days ahead of their super bantamweight title fight.
Debate on constitutional revision at a standstill despite Kishida's pledges
With less than two months left before the conclusion of the current session of parliament, any possibility that Prime Minister Fumio Kishida can deliver constitutional reform before the end of his term as Liberal Democratic Party president in late September, as he has promised, appears remote.
Sapporo court ruling on Ainu fishing rights presents tough questions
A traditional Ainu preserved food called <i>satchep</i> (dried fish) being made at the government-run National Ainu Museum and Park, nicknamed Upopoy, in the town of Shiraoi, Hokkaido, on Dec. 25. The Sapporo District Court ruled last month that the Raporo Ainu Nation's rights as an Indigenous people did not extend to having an inherent right to fish for commercial reasons.
With eye on China, defense chiefs agree to bolster interoperability
From left: U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, Australian defense chief Richard Marles, Japanese Defense Minister Minoru Kihara and Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro hold a joint news conference in Honolulu on Thursday.
Yellow sand allergy: A health issue made worse by climate change
A screenshot of the Meteorological Agency's satellite image of clouds and yellow sand (in pink) on Sunday.

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

Rows of irises resemble a rice field at the Peter Walker-designed Toyota Municipal Museum of Art.
The 'outsiders' creating some of Japan's greenest spaces
By Stephen Mansfield

SUSTAINABLE JAPAN

Live like a lord or lady for a night at Ozu Castle
Live like a lord or lady for a night at Ozu Castle

SPECIAL SUPPLEMENTS note

Read more

SUPPLEMENTS BINDER