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September 16, 2025
 

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John Gunning
Japan Times
SUMO / Rikishi Files
Nov 24, 2019
Asahisho's comedic talents have provided many laughs
Sumo is a sport with a surprising amount of interesting characters.
SUMO / Rikishi Files
Nov 23, 2019
Terunofuji endured tough times to get back on track
On a day when yokozuna Hakuho all but sealed his 43rd Emperor's Cup, the biggest news out of Fukuoka concerned a man in sumo's third division.
Japan Times
SUMO
Nov 22, 2019
Veteran Tochiozan clawing back to makuuchi in twilight of long career
After finishing five straight tournaments with a losing record, Tochiozan was demoted to the juryo division for the ongoing Fukuoka meet.
Japan Times
SUMO / Rikishi Files
Nov 21, 2019
Relatively light Takanoyama paid his dues in lower ranks
About five years ago a sumo video went viral online and was widely shared on websites dedicated to other fighting sports.
Japan Times
SUMO / Rikishi Files
Nov 20, 2019
Tamawashi's January victory among sumo's biggest shocks
Roughly half of sumo's recent first-time champions have been rikishi on the way up.
Japan Times
SUMO / Rikishi Files
Nov 19, 2019
Konishiki went from rags to riches in colorful career
One of the most famous rikishi of all time was never promoted to the rank of yokozuna.
SUMO / Rikishi Files
Nov 18, 2019
Immaturity cost Wakanoho bright future in raised ring
When it comes to could-have-been rikishi, the first name on most people's lips is Futahaguro.
SUMO / Rikishi Files
Nov 17, 2019
Muscular Chiyonofuji's career bloomed late
For a certain generation of fans there is only one name that comes to mind when discussing the greatest of all time and that name is Chiyonofuji.
SUMO / Rikishi Files
Nov 16, 2019
Ozeki Kaio ruled the sport
Raiden is often mentioned as the greatest rikishi never to reach yokozuna.
Japan Times
SUMO / Rikishi Files
Nov 15, 2019
Veteran Masutoo still seeking promotion to top division
A photo taken of the winner's podium at the 2004 Junior Sumo World Championships has received a lot of attention over the past couple of years.
Japan Times
SUMO / Rikishi Files
Nov 14, 2019
Homasho's popularity tied to reserved manner
One of the more popular rikishi these days is Abi.
SUMO / Rikishi Files
Nov 13, 2019
Asashoryu electrified sport with unorthodox style
Hakuho may be the greatest rikishi of all time, but for many fans he has never come close to his immediate predecessor in terms of excitement.
SUMO / Rikishi Files
Nov 12, 2019
Baruto overcame obstacles to become ozeki
In early 2004, two massive Estonians moved to Japan to join professional sumo.
SUMO / Rikishi Files
Nov 11, 2019
Hakuho's many accomplishments make him the greatest of all time
Sumo has been around in various forms for over 2,000 years.
SUMO / Rikishi Files
Nov 10, 2019
Former ozeki great Chiyotaikai rose up sumo ladder after turning life around at early age
To newer fans it may seem as if veteran Goeido has been an ozeki forever, but the Osaka native's five years at the rank is still less than half as long as former ozeki Chiyotaikai spent in sumo's second most prestigious spot.
SUMO / INSIDE SUMO
Nov 7, 2019
Sumo injuries pose ever-present issues for wrestlers, rankings
Online sumo games have a small but loyal following.
SUMO
Nov 7, 2019
Emperor's Cup race looks wide open at Kyushu Basho
Although he retired a quarter century ago and made just 18 appearances for Nagoya Grampus Eight, Gary Lineker remains one of the names most closely associated with Japanese soccer among foreign fans.
SUMO / INSIDE SUMO
Oct 30, 2019
Unpredictable banzuke adds flavor to sumo
For sports journalists based in Japan's capital, no reminders are needed to know the last of the three annual non-Tokyo tournaments is just around the corner.
SUMO / INSIDE SUMO
Oct 23, 2019
Quest to capture 10 titles a tough challenge for current crop of star wrestlers
It's been over 15 years since Andre 3000 of seminal Atlanta rap group OutKast once asked — and answered — a pressing question: "What's cooler than being cool? Ice cold!"
SUMO / INSIDE SUMO
Oct 16, 2019
Slicker production needed for amateur sumo
Typhoon Hagibis raged across Japan last weekend leaving in its wake a trail of devastation both deep and wide-ranging.
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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