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 Kaz Nagatsuka

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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
BASKETBALL / B. League
Mar 3, 2021
B. League may need to review early entry system after injuries to young players
B. League officials may be forced to re-evaluate the process in the wake of significant injuries suffered by some players this year.
Japan Times
MORE SPORTS
Mar 2, 2021
Taku Lee poised to end long wait for Japan's first NFL player
The Obic running back and 2020 X League MVP, who is currently taking part in an NFL program for potential international talent in Florida, is generating hype as a player to watch.
Japan Times
OLYMPICS
Mar 2, 2021
Guinness recognizes Yuki Kawauchi for 100th sub-2:20 marathon
The former 'citizen runner,' who gained international attention after winning the 2018 Boston Marathon, hit the triple-digit mark last December at the Hofu Marathon in Yamaguchi Prefecture.
Japan Times
MORE SPORTS
Mar 2, 2021
NFL International executive sees widening path for Japanese players
Globalization is a key component of professional sports leagues around the world and the National Football League is no exception, despite its reputation as a U.S.-centric league, which stems in part from its smaller slate of international players compared with other major North American competitions.
Japan Times
BASKETBALL / B. League
Mar 1, 2021
Yuki Kawamura vows to use disappointing season as fuel for future success
The 19-year-old phenomenon remains determined to learn from players he felt bested him this year and achieve his long-standing goal of playing on the national team.
Japan Times
MORE SPORTS
Feb 22, 2021
J. League and NPB hopeful current attendance limits will be eased
The members of the Nippon Professional Baseball and J. League joint COVD-19 task force feel their knowledge about the virus and the data they’ve collected has grown exponentially as they enter the body's second year.
Japan Times
BASKETBALL
Feb 17, 2021
Japan and B. League in tough spot after cancellation of FIBA Asia Cup qualifying window
Skipping the qualifiers — when they resume — altogether is not an option.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Feb 16, 2021
The next boss of the Tokyo Games — a savvy operator or a fresh face?
The organizing committee says it is looking for a successor that has a certain background in the Olympics as well as a strong awareness of gender equality and inclusiveness.
Japan Times
BASKETBALL
Feb 13, 2021
Japan forced to wait as FIBA cancels Asia Cup qualifiers due to COVID-19
The Japanese team began a training camp at Tokyo's National Training Center on Thursday and was scheduled to fly to Doha on Sunday.
Japan Times
MORE SPORTS
Feb 12, 2021
Naoya Inoue and Takashi Uchiyama highlight packed field at charity boxing event
Thursday's exhibition at Yoyogi National Gymnasium brought together some of Japan's greatest boxers, while highlighting the potential for rapid virus testing at large-scale events.
Japan Times
BASKETBALL / B. League
Feb 10, 2021
Diamond Dolphins join effort to fight climate change through sports
The B. League club is the first from Japan to sign on to the United Nations initiative, joining a number of top organizations and teams including FIFA and the New York Yankees.
Japan Times
BASKETBALL
Feb 9, 2021
Japan names provisional squad for Asia Cup qualifiers
Chiba point guard Yuki Togashi and forward Gavin Edwards were among the list of 24 who could fly to Doha on Saturday ahead of the international window later this month.
Japan Times
BASKETBALL / NBA
Feb 8, 2021
Yuta Watanabe's hard work pays off as he earns spot in Raptors' rotation
The next two games carry special meaning for the 26-year-old as the guard-forward takes on his former team and faces compatriot Rui Hachimura.
Japan Times
OLYMPICS
Feb 5, 2021
Barcelona silver medalist Noriko Mizoguchi slams Yoshiro Mori's comments
The former judoka, now a sports sociology professor, is concerned over how the former prime minister's controversial statements on women could impact public opinion toward the Tokyo Games.
Japan Times
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Feb 5, 2021
Daiya Seto wins comeback race, vows to rebound from scandal
The former Tokyo 2020 swim captain struggled to close out the men's 400-meter medley in his first competition since his suspension for an extramarital affair.
Japan Times
BASKETBALL / B. League
Feb 4, 2021
Brave Thunders need to sustain sense of urgency to rescue season
The loss left the Brave Thunders with a 20-13 record and stuck in sixth place in the conference standings.
Japan Times
BASKETBALL
Feb 3, 2021
Japan draws tough assignments for Tokyo Olympic basketball tournament
Japan's men’s and women’s basketball teams will face a stiff challenge during the preliminary round of this summer Tokyo Games after being given a tough road during the draw for the Olympic tournaments on Tuesday.
Japan Times
MORE SPORTS
Feb 3, 2021
Boxing stars come together to support medical community
Naoya Inoue, Takashi Uchiyama and other current and former boxing stars will come together at Yoyogi National Gymnasium on Feb. 11.
Japan Times
OLYMPICS
Feb 1, 2021
Tokyo 2020 organizers can't pin Olympic hopes on vaccines alone, experts warn
Some medical experts have questioned the idea of the staging of the games being linked to the availability of vaccines.
Japan Times
MORE SPORTS
Jan 25, 2021
NPB and J. League hope to avoid burdening local governments during training camps
Nippon Professional Baseball and the J. League want teams to focus on making sure players and staff members don't become infected with COVID-19 during training camps.

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