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November 04, 2025
 

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John Gunning
SUMO
Dec 30, 2020
Plenty to unpack after eventful, unforgettable year in sumo
Sumo somehow managed to keep going and provided much-needed distraction in a tough year.
SUMO / INSIDE SUMO
Dec 23, 2020
Hidden gems await fans who dig deep into sumo's lower divisions
The sport's second and third ranks offer a chance to see both rising stars and wily veterans engaged in the sort of exciting bouts that are sometimes rare in the top level.
Japan Times
SUMO / INSIDE SUMO
Dec 16, 2020
American rikishi recalls extremely wild times in sumo world
Details on the now 71-year-old's career had been lost to the mists of time until the California native resurfaced in sumo circles online in recent months.
Japan Times
SUMO / INSIDE SUMO
Dec 9, 2020
NSSU freshman Hidetora Hanada emerges to claim amateur yokozuna title
The Nippon Sports Science University student overcame a talent-studded field at Sunday's All Japan Sumo Championships, the country's top amateur sumo tournament.
SUMO / INSIDE SUMO
Dec 2, 2020
Chiganoura Beya had unique, eventful existence
Opened in 2004, by former sekiwake Masudayama, Chiganoura Beya grabbed the interest of many sumo observers right off the bat for a number of unique moves.
SUMO / INSIDE SUMO
Nov 25, 2020
Takakeisho's rise, Terunofuji's rebound? Thrills await fans in 2021
Professional sumo closed out the thrill ride that was 2020 with one final flourish.
SUMO / INSIDE SUMO
Nov 18, 2020
Popular rikishi Kotoshogiku and Gagamaru retire from sumo
Veteran ozeki Kotoshogiku hanging up his mawashi means there are now only four men in makuuchi still active who reached the sport's top division before the start of 2010.
SUMO / INSIDE SUMO
Nov 11, 2020
Universities offer foreign wrestlers new path to pro sumo
Instead of struggling to land rare stable placements directly, foreigners are instead blazing a path to the pros through collegiate and amateur sumo.
SUMO
Nov 5, 2020
Healthy yokozuna Hakuho looks ready to reclaim throne
The Miyagino stable man is in position to extend his championship record and pick up an incredible 45th Emperor's Cup.
Japan Times
SUMO / INSIDE SUMO
Nov 4, 2020
Sumo stables housed in older structures becoming rare sight
The demolition of the Izutsu Beya stable building, one of the more run-down in the sport, got underway Wednesday.
SUMO / INSIDE SUMO
Oct 28, 2020
Banzuke remains essential part of sumo culture
Distributed before each grand tournament, the hand-written rankings list has been a part of the sport's lore for centuries.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.'
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.
The unstoppable rise of konbini tourism
Guests typically follow Ryo Ito’s lead as he weaves through the narrow, colorful aisles of convenience stores.
More Japanese universities pushing toward teaching in English
Waseda University in Tokyo
A narrow Pacific waterway at heart of U.S. plans to choke China’s vast navy
Philippine and Australian troops fire an M777 howitzer during live fire exercises as part of joint military drills in Laur, Nueva Ecija, the Philippines, in August.
Trump would make U.S. Supreme Court history by attending tariffs case
There is no record in the U.S. Supreme Court’s 235-year history of a sitting president ever attending arguments, according to Clare Cushman, director of publications and resident historian at the Supreme Court Historical Society.
Dodgers clinch back-to-back World Series titles as Blue Jays downed in thriller
Dodgers pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto and teammates celebrate after winning the World Series against the Blue Jays. Yamamoto was named MVP for the series.
How airlines are refining their in-flight food in Japan's tourism boom
All Nippon Airways' gourmet program, The Connoisseurs, showcases the Japanese concept of "shun" (peak season for ingredients), giving passengers a preview of the refined cuisine that awaits them in Japan.
The unstoppable rise of konbini tourism
Guests typically follow Ryo Ito’s lead as he weaves through the narrow, colorful aisles of convenience stores.
Anime isn’t competing with Hollywood — it’s beating it
After its July release, “Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba — Infinity Castle,” an animated feature adapted directly from a TV arc, became the highest-grossing Japanese film ever.
Oasis returns to Japan after 16 years — and fans can still sing every word
Liam Gallagher commanded the stage with effortless charisma during Oasis' Tokyo Dome set on Saturday.
At Japan Mobility Show, BYD gears up to conquer Japan's EV market
BYD Auto Japan President Atsuki Tofukuji unveils the Racco at the Japan Mobility Show in Tokyo on Wednesday.

Podcast

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

Longform

Once smoky, male-dominated spaces, today's net cafes, like Kaikatsu Club, are working to make their operations more attractive to women customers.
The second life of Japan's net cafes
By Alex K.T. Martin

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