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September 16, 2025
 

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John Gunning
SUMO
Mar 17, 2020
Kotonishiki experienced historic success without reaching ozeki
Of the four ranks in sumo's top division, komusubi is the one at which a rikishi is least likely to win a championship.
SUMO
Mar 16, 2020
Oshio's career in ring had longevity, but limited success
Without checking, do you know who has fought the most bouts in professional sumo history?
SUMO
Mar 15, 2020
Kotozakura had limited run as yokozuna but successful tenure as stablemaster
Quick question.
SUMO
Mar 14, 2020
Takanobori made unusual entry into sumo
Takanobori is probably the only rikishi in history recruited into sumo as a result of winning a bicycle race.
SUMO
Mar 13, 2020
University sumo product Myogiryu blossoming in 30s
There are currently seven Nippon Sport Science University graduates in professional sumo.
SUMO
Mar 12, 2020
Roho's career defined by unsavory incidents
Since September 2018, there are officially no Russians in professional sumo.
SUMO
Mar 11, 2020
Former yokozuna Onokuni now acts as JSA's public face
Shibatayama stablemaster is one of the more visible members of the Japan Sumo Association's board of directors.
SUMO
Mar 10, 2020
Despite goofball reputation, Takamisakari had solid career
When Takamisakari called it a day back in 2013, this paper carried a headline declaring that the "clown prince of sumo" had retired, while Kyodo News opened with a line that called the former komusubi's pre-bout rituals "goofball antics."
SUMO
Mar 9, 2020
Undervalued Gagamaru has had solid career in raised ring
To date, four men from the country of Georgia have become sumo wrestlers in Japan.
Japan Times
SUMO
Mar 8, 2020
Lightweight Terao defied odds in long career
Sumo is an extremely physical sport with injury an ever-present risk for its participants.
SUMO
Mar 5, 2020
Health risks in spotlight as Spring Basho nears start
The Japan Sumo Association is proceeding with the upcoming Spring Grand Sumo Tournament, but has decided, in light of the ongoing coronavirus outbreak, that it will be held behind closed doors.
Japan Times
SUMO / INSIDE SUMO
Mar 5, 2020
Legend Byamba deserves lot of credit for raising global profile of sumo
The sumo world lost a legend on Feb. 28 with the passing of Byambajav Ulambayaryn.
SUMO / INSIDE SUMO
Feb 26, 2020
Calling off Spring Basho would be right move for JSA
The Japan Sumo Association is essentially a reactive, rather than proactive, organization.
Japan Times
SUMO / INSIDE SUMO
Feb 19, 2020
Sumo without American rikishi after Wakaichiro retires
Just like that, there are no American rikishi left in sumo.
SUMO / INSIDE SUMO
Feb 12, 2020
Legendary Ryogoku Kokugikan has adapted to modern needs
One of sport's most overused cliches is the labeling of a ballpark or stadium as the mecca of football, baseball or basketball.
SUMO / INSIDE SUMO
Feb 5, 2020
Ban on social media wrong call for sumo's popularity, transparency
Japan's national sport is semiglobalized.
SUMO / INSIDE SUMO
Jan 29, 2020
Tokushoryu's unlikely run among sumo's best surprises
January 2020 served up one of the best sumo tournaments of recent times.
SUMO / Rikishi Files
Jan 26, 2020
Kashiwado carved out place despite presence of legend
There have been a few rikishi in the history of sumo whose careers have been akin to supermassive black holes — so overwhelmingly dominant that nothing can escape their presence.
SUMO / Rikishi Files
Jan 25, 2020
Kyokutenho was a trailblazer
In 1991, though most people didn't realize it at the time, the Oshima stablemaster made a decision that would dramatically alter the course of sumo over the next several decades.
Japan Times
SUMO
Jan 24, 2020
Sentoryu embodied colorful sumo nickname
Since Takamiyama first blazed a trail to Japan in 1964, 30 other Americans have followed the giant Hawaiian into professional sumo.
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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