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April 27, 2024
 

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Matthew Futterman
For Matthew Futterman's latest contributions to The Japan Times, see below:
Japan Times
TENNIS
Jun 10, 2023
Novak Djokovic moves to the precipice of tennis supremacy
The Philippe Chatrier Court at Roland Garros has long been Rafael Nadal’s second home, but on Sunday it will be Novak Djokovic looking to make history in Paris.
Japan Times
OLYMPICS
Feb 23, 2023
Ukrainian racer grapples with guilt amid quest to reach Olympics
Some Ukrainian athletes question why they are competing in their sports instead of fighting alongside their friends.
Japan Times
TENNIS
Jan 24, 2023
For some players at the Australian Open, no spotlight is no problem
In tennis, there is a long history of success and exposure crushing champions or sucking the joy out of them.
Japan Times
TENNIS
Sep 3, 2022
Serena Williams ends magical run at U.S. Open in what was likely her final tournament
The defeat likely spelled the end of a 27-year career that forever changed the world's perception and understanding of women — especially Black women — in sports.
Japan Times
MORE SPORTS
Jun 27, 2022
Wimbledon marks end of era free from bans and boycotts in sports
'We will continue to see increased use of sports for cultural change, for value change, for policy change. It's only going to happen more and more.”
Japan Times
OLYMPICS
Feb 16, 2022
Competing in the Winter Games, without a snowball’s chance
Some competitors have been able to make it to the Olympics in part because of a change in qualifying criteria aimed at producing a more diverse field — a change that has garnered scrutiny.
Japan Times
OLYMPICS
Feb 8, 2022
Beijing wanted the Winter Olympics. All it needed was snow.
The secret of winter sports is that many competitions take place on artificial snow. China's water-scarce capital had to go to enormous lengths to make enough of it.
Japan Times
TENNIS
Jan 18, 2022
Naomi Osaka returns, ready or not
Back in Australia, the place where things last appeared right in her world, is she ready for the crucible?
Japan Times
OLYMPICS
Dec 14, 2021
Paris 2024 floats openness after two closed-door Olympics
The organizing committee said it planned to send more than 10,000 Olympians down the Seine in a parade of some 160 boats instead of having a traditional march into the Olympic Stadium.
Japan Times
TENNIS
Sep 5, 2021
Why does playing tennis make so many pros miserable?
Tennis players and coaches speak of the singular form of intensity and loneliness that accompanies the game, even compared to other individual sports such as golf.
Japan Times
OLYMPICS
Aug 2, 2021
Shot-putter’s gesture renews controversy over podium protests at Tokyo Games
Raven Saunders of the United States crossed her arms over her head. A second athlete, American fencer Race Imboden, accepted a medal with a symbol drawn on his hand.
Japan Times
OLYMPICS
Aug 1, 2021
The rise of mixed-gender relays at the Tokyo Olympics
In Tokyo, men and women are teaming up in a series of mixed-gender events that are making their Olympic debuts.
Japan Times
OLYMPICS
Jul 28, 2021
Naomi Osaka’s Olympics exit dashes her hopes of gold on home turf
While the first days of competition have brought some cheer for Japan, the loss of Osaka dealt a sharp emotional blow and generated discussion over the state of her game.
Japan Times
TENNIS
Jun 1, 2021
Naomi Osaka quits French Open, citing 'long bouts of depression'
'I never wanted to be a distraction and I accept that my timing was not ideal and my message could have been clearer,” Osaka wrote on Instagram.
Japan Times
MORE SPORTS
May 30, 2021
Endurance sport looks inward after tragedy kills 21 runners
Ultrarunning has never experienced a day like May 22, when 21 runners died as a storm descended on a high mountain pass during a 62-mile race in northwestern China.
Japan Times
OLYMPICS
Jan 16, 2021
Hopes for Tokyo’s Summer Olympics growing dim
Officials both in Tokyo and with the International Olympic Committee have begun to acknowledge that holding a safe games might not be possible.
Japan Times
TENNIS
Oct 8, 2020
Diego Schwartzman takes big step toward breaking ceiling for shorter players
During the past decade, as tennis has become ever more physical, just two men under 6 feet have even made a Grand Slam final.
New JAL chief concerned about yen’s ‘excessive’ weakness
Mitsuko Tottori became Japan Airlines’ first female CEO on April 1, having risen through the ranks as a flight attendant and heading the flight attendant and customer experience divisions.
Town to block view of Mount Fuji in response to overtourism
The town government of Fujikawaguchiko, Yamanashi Prefecture, decided to set up a 2.5-meter-high screen to prevent tourists from taking pictures of Mount Fuji looming behind a convenience store.
Yen inches closer to intervention point as BOJ meeting starts
The rate of the yen against the U.S. dollar is displayed in the trading room at foreign exchange brokerage Gaitame.com in Tokyo on Thursday.
Princess Aiko makes debut at imperial garden party
Princess Aiko attends an imperial garden party in Tokyo on Tuesday.
'So hot you can't breathe': Extreme heat hits the Philippines
A pedestrian cools himself with a folding hand fan as he waits for a ride along a road in Manila on Wednesday, as extreme heat hit the Philippines.
Tokyo's Koto Ward by-election a race unlike any other
Natsumi Sakai, the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan’s candidate and one of four female candidates running in the by-election, touts her experience as a cancer survivor and midwife as having prepared her to tackle issues that women currently face.
Town to block view of Mount Fuji in response to overtourism
The town government of Fujikawaguchiko, Yamanashi Prefecture, decided to set up a 2.5-meter-high screen to prevent tourists from taking pictures of Mount Fuji looming behind a convenience store.
Top U.S. and China diplomats talk tough amid warnings of new ‘downward spiral’
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing on Friday
Kyotographie's strong 12th edition shines light into the margins
Yassine Alaoui Ismaili, who goes by Yoriyas, turned to photography, shooting motion while in motion himself, after an injury forced him to give up his career as a professional breakdancer.
For amateur sumo, a fresh start offers hope against time-wasting and gamesmanship
Wrestlers prepare for the start of a bout at the 2023 Sumo World Championships in Tokyo. Starting this month, placing one hand on the clay first is no longer allowed.

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

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

Students ‘study abroad’ on island of Suo Oshima
Students ‘study abroad’ on island of Suo Oshima

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