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September 16, 2025
 

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John Gunning
SUMO
Jan 23, 2020
Hanakaze's longevity moves into fifth decade
In March 1986, while Mike Ditka, Walter Payton and William "The Refrigerator" Perry and the rest of the Chicago Bears were still celebrating their Super Bowl XX mauling of the New England Patriots two-plus months earlier, in Osaka a young man named Daisaku Yamaguchi made his professional sumo debut....
SUMO
Jan 22, 2020
Kitazakura known best for talent, attitude outside ring
Rikishi who are famous for something other than results in the ring usually achieve that status through some notable aspect of their personality.
SUMO
Jan 21, 2020
Kotoshogiku experienced brief but memorable time in spotlight
There are eight active wrestlers who have spent time at sumo's second-highest rank.
SUMO / Rikishi Files
Jan 20, 2020
Legendary Futabayama set standard for sumo greatness
Yokozuna Hakuho's incredible 43 championships, 15 perfect titles and numerous other records and achievements rightly see him often referred to as the greatest rikishi in the history of sumo.
SUMO / Rikishi Files
Jan 19, 2020
Kokkai helped European rikishi arrive in sumo world
The first rikishi whose place of origin was listed as somewhere outside Japan was Hiraga, who joined professional sumo in 1934.
SUMO / Rikishi Files
Jan 18, 2020
Yama succeeds after sumo
Life after professional sumo (for those who don't qualify for elder status) is generally quite prosaic.
SUMO / Rikishi Files
Jan 17, 2020
Former yokozuna Kitanoumi was imposing figure in sumo
Intimidation factor is something that cannot be discounted when it comes to finding reasons for success in sumo.
SUMO / Rikishi Files
Jan 16, 2020
Ukrainian Sergey Sokolovsky follows sumo great Taiho's career path
Sergey Sokolovsky recently took the new recruit exam and, when he makes his competitive debut in March, the 22-year-old will become the first-ever Ukrainian in professional sumo.
SUMO / Rikishi Files
Jan 15, 2020
Tochiazuma's bloody rivalry with Asashoryu a spectacle
In terms of sumo's vintage years, 1976 was one of the best.
SUMO / Rikishi Files
Jan 14, 2020
Kisenosato is gone, but his impact lives on
The current boom in sumo popularity is a product of many factors.
SUMO / Rikishi Files
Jan 13, 2020
Technical acumen couldn't get Kotomitsuki over hump
The three pillars of sumo are shin-gi-tai, which translate as heart-technique-physique.
SUMO / Rikishi Files
Jan 12, 2020
American-born Akebono blazed path to pinnacle of sumo
Rowan, an anglicization of the Irish O Ruadhain, isn't a name widely found in sport.
SUMO / INSIDE SUMO
Jan 9, 2020
Sumo practice blowups nothing new in sport ruled by traditions
The problem of violence reared its ugly head in sumo again recently, but this time it came with a twist.
SUMO
Jan 9, 2020
New Year Basho provides intriguing mix of storylines
Every sumo tournament contains a myriad of storylines.
SUMO / INSIDE SUMO
Jan 3, 2020
Reviewing last year, previewing 2020 in sumo
Happy New Year to you all. Here's to a great 2020.
SUMO / INSIDE SUMO
Dec 25, 2019
JSA needs to look outward for good of sumo
Whatever hopes fans had for a peaceful end to the year were dashed when Japan Sumo Association officials instructed Takagenji to take part in his regularly scheduled bout on Dec. 11 despite the wrestler being diagnosed with influenza earlier in the day.
SUMO / INSIDE SUMO
Dec 18, 2019
Hakuho more than deserving of special elder status
When you think of sumo, what's the first word that comes to mind?
Japan Times
SUMO / INSIDE SUMO
Dec 11, 2019
Joining sumo no easy task for foreign rikishi hopefuls
For young men with Japanese nationality, joining sumo can be as easy as knocking on a stable door, sending an email, or picking up the phone.
SUMO / INSIDE SUMO
Dec 4, 2019
Amateur sumo lacks flair, but worthy of fans' attention
As detailed in last week's column, sumo fans are divided when it comes to the kind of English language coverage they want and expect.
SUMO / INSIDE SUMO
Nov 27, 2019
More content needed to satisfy sumo's overseas fans
Sumo's popularity abroad has increased massively over the past few years.
SDF spots China’s biggest aircraft carrier for first time
The Fujian aircraft carrier is seen in Shanghai in May 2024 as it leaves for its first sea trial.
Why more hotels in Japan are offering room-only service
Nipponia Hotel Ise Kawasaki Merchant Town in Ise, Mie Prefecture
Is America ready for Japanese-style 7-Elevens?
Convenience stores are a fixture of Japanese life and 7-Eleven, a chain that began in the U.S. in 1927, opened its first store in Japan in 1974 — and then became wholly Japanese-owned in 2005 through parent company Seven & I Holdings.
Final weeks of World Expo in Osaka likely to see large crowds
With one month left to go, crowds are expected to swell at the World Expo in Osaka during its final weeks.
Japan's elderly population down at around 36.2 million
The estimated number of people age 65 or older in Japan stands at 36.19 million as of Monday, accounting for record 29.4% of the country's total population, according to the internal affairs ministry.
Strikes on Qatar and Poland shake U.S. sway among friend and foe
U.S. President Donald Trump speaks at the Museum of the Bible in Washington on Sept. 8. Israeli strikes in Qatar and Russian drone incursions into Poland have challenged the U.S. leaders claims of global respect.
Japan's major art events converge this fall
Shinji Ohmaki’s “Tokinokage” exhibited at Fuji Textile Week 2021 shows the use of fabric as art.
An aesthetic escape to Hakone’s art-drenched hills
Between traditional examples of fine art and sleek, modern exhibitions that blend with nature, Hakone offers a unique escape from Tokyo's urban sprawl.
Niinami’s ouster quick but not unusual as corporations protect reputation
Takeshi Niinami resigns as chairman and CEO of Suntory Holdings.
As Manila modernizes its military, new opportunities emerge for Tokyo
A Brahmos missile system is displayed during a rehearsal for a military parade in New Delhi in January. The Philippines will soon receive its second batch of the supersonic cruise missiles from India.

Podcast

One of the many entrances to the Kabukicho neighborhood in Tokyo’s Shinjuku Ward.
Kabukicho: Tokyo’s ‘stadium of desire’

Longform

Sumadori Bar on Shibuya Ward's main Center Gai street targets young customers who prefer low-alcohol drinks or abstain altogether.
Rethinking that second drink: Japan’s Gen Z gets ‘sober curious’
By Alex K.T. Martin

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