Kaz Nagatsuka - The Japan Times

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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:

BASKETBALL

Dec 8, 2006

Apache go get AND1 player Jones

A Tokyo Apache official told The Japan Times on Thursday that AND1 Mix Tape team player Tony "Go Get it" Jones will join the bj-league side.

BASKETBALL

Dec 4, 2006

Humphrey scores 40 in Tokyo's OT triumph

John "Helicopter" Humphrey complained to the refs throughout the game -- nothing unusual about that. But he managed to convert his frustration into points on Sunday.

BASKETBALL

Dec 2, 2006

bj-league showcase confirmed

The bj-league announced Friday that it will play an All-Star game on Jan. 27 at Ginowan Municipal Gymnasium, Okinawa Prefecture.

BASKETBALL

Nov 27, 2006

Goya excellent for Grouses in setback

With the versatile skills, strong leadership, and most importantly, the concrete will to win, Takanori Goya certainly plays like the No. 1 overall draft pick.

BASKETBALL / ONE-ON-ONE WITH ...

Nov 25, 2006

Terashita: Jordan my idol

Beginning this week The Japan Times will be featuring periodic interviews with players in Japan's bj-league -- the nation's first pro basketball circuit -- which has started its second season. Daiki Terashita of the Niigata Albirex BB is the subject of this week's profile.

BASKETBALL

Nov 22, 2006

'Samurai' unleashes excitement on court

Nobody was quite sure about the final score, or about who scored how many points, how many assists they had or how many rebounds they grabbed. Because after all, those were probably the least important things the fans cared about.

BASKETBALL

Nov 17, 2006

Struggling Apache releases Billings

The Tokyo Apache announced Thursday that 214-cm player Nick Billings has been released. The 24-year-old Billings, who was acquired by the bj-league club in the offseason, has played in three of the team's four games this season.

BASEBALL / Japanese Baseball

Nov 15, 2006

Ogasawara, Fukudome given MVP awards for 2006 season

Right in the middle of important talks on where he plays next season, Tuesday was a rare day for Michihiro Ogasawara to show a relieved smile.

BASEBALL / Japanese Baseball

Nov 14, 2006

Decision time for Ogasawara

Winning the inaugural World Baseball Classic, Pacific League championship, Japan Series, and Asia Series, means the 2006 season has been the best year in Michihiro Ogasawara's baseball career without any doubt.

BASKETBALL

Nov 12, 2006

Washington leads Evessa to win

Reigning bj-league MVP Lynn Washington scored 30 points and grabbed nine rebounds as the Osaka Evessa cruised past the Oita HeatDevils 71-64 at Namihaya Dome in Osaka Prefecture on Saturday.

BASKETBALL

Nov 4, 2006

Eight teams vie for title in 2nd season

After a historic and successful debut 2005-06 season, the bj-league looks to further progress and provide excitement in its second campaign, which tips off Saturday with a pair of games, including the Osaka Evessa-Tokyo Apache clash at Ariake Colosseum at 6 p.m.

BASKETBALL

Oct 31, 2006

Kawachi pleased with bj-league's success, hopes to serve up even better sequel

Bj-league commissioner Toshimitsu Kawachi believes the league's inaugural season was fairly successful. But he knows not to get too cocky, because fans will expect better for the second season.

BASEBALL / Japanese Baseball

Oct 28, 2006

MVP Inaba celebrates 4th Series title

SAPPORO -- In the post-game beer fight, Atsunori Inaba was filled with joy, carrying a big bag filled with booze on his back and spraying it at his teammates.

BASEBALL / Japanese Baseball

Oct 27, 2006

GM Takada bag of nerves before game

SAPPORO -- Fighters general manager Shigeru Takada was wandering around the dugout and backstage and could hardly contain his jitters before the game.

BASEBALL / Japanese Baseball

Oct 26, 2006

Fan support key to Fighters' success during 2006 season

SAPPORO -- If they didn't appreciate their fans' unbridled support, the Chunichi Dragons might not have realized how much they can give their team a boost forward -- before Tuesday's game, that is.

BASEBALL / Japanese Baseball

Oct 25, 2006

Ibata's standards stay high as Series progresses

SAPPORO -- Hirokazu Ibata never smiled after hitting his first homer of the series. Instead, he was regretting his fielding "mistake" before he hit the dinger.

BASKETBALL

Oct 24, 2006

Ohba gets set to battle for starting spot on Apache

Yasuhiro Ohba tightens his shoe laces before taking the court, and checks the grip with the wooden floor so he can perform his best.

BASEBALL / Japanese Baseball

Oct 24, 2006

Fighters-mania warms hearts in cold Hokkaido

SAPPORO -- Cold wind started blowing on the northern island last week. But there is a reason for the people up here to be warm in their hearts and flash smiles on their faces.

MORE SPORTS

Oct 16, 2006

Chinese stars earn repeat titles

Lin Dan capitalized on his signature left-arm firing shots and Taufik Hidayat lost his signature -- his cool.

BASKETBALL

Oct 12, 2006

Kashiwagi changes teams but not style in bid to be better

KAWASAKI -- Here's a youngster who has a huge desire to become a better basketball player.

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

Things may look perfect to the outside world, but today's mom is fine with some imperfection at home.

How 'Reiwa moms' are reshaping motherhood in Japan

By Mai Yoshikawa

SUSTAINABLE JAPAN

Spotlighting a Niigata castle town through sushi

Spotlighting a Niigata castle town through sushi

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