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May 18, 2024
 

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John Gunning
For John Gunning's latest contributions to The Japan Times, see below:
Japan Times
SUMO / INSIDE SUMO
Oct 21, 2020
Venerable Ryogoku Kokugikan has allowed sumo to successfully cope with pandemic
Possessing its own full-size arena has allowed the Japan Sumo Association to easily switch tournaments scheduled for other cities to its home base in Tokyo.
Japan Times
SUMO / INSIDE SUMO
Oct 14, 2020
Once-fearsome ozeki rank no longer sport's 'great barrier'
Wrestlers in sumo's second-highest rank have struggled to emulate the success of their peers in previous generations.
Japan Times
SUMO / INSIDE SUMO
Oct 7, 2020
Sumo fans have plenty to look forward to in coming weeks
There are many aspects of Japan's national sport that should give hope for the future.
Japan Times
SUMO / INSIDE SUMO
Sep 30, 2020
JSA pulls off another successful tournament in COVID-19 era
After managing a second basho with fans at Ryogoku Kokugikan, the Japan Sumo Association still faces a number of challenges going forward.
Japan Times
SUMO / INSIDE SUMO
Sep 23, 2020
Sumo experiencing extreme period of parity in final stages of Hakuho's legendary reign
With four former ozeki and an incredible ten wrestlers with championship experience still active in the top division, sumo is the very definition of parity right now.
Japan Times
SUMO / INSIDE SUMO
Sep 16, 2020
Are ozeki Asanoyama's struggles all in his head?
Called out by former yokozuna Asashoryu after a poor start to the Autumn Basho, the highly anticipated ozeki needs to clear his mind in order to reach sumo's top level.
Japan Times
SUMO
Sep 10, 2020
Autumn Basho shaping up to be another drama-filled affair
Life as a sumo columnist in 2020 is akin to being a TV critic in 2019 writing about 'Game of Thrones.'
Japan Times
SUMO
Sep 9, 2020
Sumo would benefit from picking up tips from other sports
There are ways to modernize and copy what is happening in sports worldwide without detracting from what it is that makes sumo special.
Japan Times
SUMO / INSIDE SUMO
Sep 2, 2020
Let's address the elephant in the sumo ring
Weight loss is common after leaving the raised ring, but a lack of support from stables leaves wrestlers vulnerable against obesity and other serious health issues.
Japan Times
SUMO / INSIDE SUMO
Aug 26, 2020
Hakuho may be on path to becoming great stablemaster if latest recruit pans out
With Hokuseiho, the yokozuna may have stumbled upon someone worthy of taking up his mantle.
Japan Times
SUMO / INSIDE SUMO
Aug 19, 2020
Englishman racking up Hakuho-like numbers in online fantasy-style sumo tournament
Simon Siddall continues to dominate and has now been crowned Sumo Games World Champion in five of the last six years.
Japan Times
SUMO / INSIDE SUMO
Aug 12, 2020
Nishikifuji's promotion to jūryō to be among most memorable moments of sumo life
Life isn't going to be all milk and honey for the city of Towada's new favorite son, however.
Japan Times
SUMO / INSIDE SUMO
Aug 5, 2020
Terunofuji completed what may be sumo's most unlikely comeback ever
Terunofuji not only fell out of the paid divisions, after a series of injuries and illnesses, but plummeted all the way down to sumo's second lowest tier.
Japan Times
SUMO
Jul 29, 2020
History shows Abi's flouting of virus protocols will likely be last straw for Japan Sumo Association
Many of those who have transgressed against the JSA's myriad rules (whether official or unwritten) in the past have found themselves out of the sport in short order.
Japan Times
SUMO / INSIDE SUMO
Jul 22, 2020
July meet could go down as one of most important in sumo history
Less than a third of the way through 15 days of action at Tokyo's Ryogoku Kokugikan there are talking points aplenty.
Japan Times
SUMO / Basho reports
Jul 16, 2020
Upcoming July Basho could be fascinating, unpredictable affair
It's hard to know just what kind of physical or mental condition rikishi will be in when things kick off at Ryogoku Kokugikan on July 19.
Japan Times
SUMO / INSIDE SUMO
Jul 15, 2020
JSA's decision to let fans attend July Basho catches everyone off guard
Few insiders had expected sumo's governing body to allow the public back in so soon.
Japan Times
SUMO / INSIDE SUMO
Jul 8, 2020
Sumo's unique kanreki ceremonies provide windows into past
It's looking increasingly likely that it could be December (or even 2021) before Isegahama will be able to don the red rope.
Japan Times
SUMO / INSIDE SUMO
Jul 1, 2020
Heart by far most important factor toward achieving success in grueling world of sumo
In a sport where bouts are over in a matter of seconds, any kind of doubt or hesitation inevitably leads to a loss.
Japan Times
SUMO / INSIDE SUMO
Jun 24, 2020
State of sumo content online leaves much to be desired
The JSA would be wise to start taking advantage of its 'back catalog' and making footage of bouts and tournaments of the past available online.
Japanese stripper bids to have her porn movies taken off internet
Plaintiff Miyuki Ariga (left) speaks at a news conference along with her lawyer, Yoshitomo Morohashi, after filing a lawsuit at the Tokyo District Court on Monday.
U.S. envoy to Japan makes landmark visit to front-line island near Taiwan
U.S. Ambassador to Japan Rahm Emanuel meets with members of the Self-Defense Forces stationed on Yonaguni, Okinawa Prefecture, on Friday.
Japan to review romanization system for first time in 70 years
An advisory panel to the education ministry will consider how the Japanese language should be transcribed into the Latin alphabet, including unifying different romanization styles currently in use.
Japanese billionaire sues Meta over investment scams using his image
Entrepreneurs Yusaku Maezawa (second from right) and Takafumi Horie (third from right) attend a study session on fake social media ads and investment scams at the Liberal Democratic Party headquarters in Tokyo on April 10.
Japan’s economy contracts as consumers and firms cut spending
Japan's gross domestic product shrank at an annualized pace of 2% in the three months through March.
Toshiba takes advantage of private status to chart new course
Toshiba announced on Thursday that it would cut up to 4,000 jobs as part of a restructuring plan.
U.S. envoy to Japan makes landmark visit to front-line island near Taiwan
U.S. Ambassador to Japan Rahm Emanuel meets with members of the Self-Defense Forces stationed on Yonaguni, Okinawa Prefecture, on Friday.
Xi and Putin mark ‘new era’ amid efforts to counter U.S. ‘containment’
Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping attend an event in Beijing on Thursday. During Putin's visit, the leaders showed off their growing alignment amid efforts to push back against the U.S.-led world order.
Unraveling the Japanese prose of Yukio Mishima
Author Yukio Mishima accepts the Arts Festival Award in the drama category at the 20th Arts Festival Award Ceremony on Jan. 22, 1966.
New Taiwan president to set tone for ties with China at inauguration
Taiwan President-elect Lai Ching-te arrives at the CyberSec 2024 Exhibition in Taipei on Wednesday.

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