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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
Jul 21, 2021
Hakuho and Terunofuji bout evokes memories of past sporting greats
Shots of the pair in action captured a moment truly significant to Japan's national sport.
Japan Times
SUMO / INSIDE SUMO
Jul 14, 2021
Potential titanic Hakuho-Terunofuji clash hearkens back to sumo rivalries of the past
From Umegatani and Hitachiyama in the 1900s to Asashoryu and Hakuho a century later, virtually every era in modern sumo history has been defined by its marquee pairing.
Japan Times
SUMO / INSIDE SUMO
Jul 7, 2021
Sumo's greatest comeback story could end in white rope for Terunofuji
The ozeki will find himself in one of the most exclusive clubs in all of sport if he manages to get the championship — or equivalent — needed to earn yokozuna promotion.
Japan Times
SUMO
Jul 1, 2021
Nagoya Basho could have significant impact on sport
Sumo lovers in central Japan will see their sport return with a bang, as the upcoming tournament is primed to be one of the most significant in recent memory.
Japan Times
SUMO / INSIDE SUMO
Jun 23, 2021
Wrestlers preparing for tough conditions at early Nagoya Basho
With sweltering temperatures and strict restrictions on activities, sumo's first grand tournament outside Tokyo in over a year will challenge rikishi more than usual.
Japan Times
SUMO / INSIDE SUMO
Jun 17, 2021
Asanoyama's suspension to impact upper reaches of banzuke rankings
The ozeki will sit out six grand tournaments after repeatedly violating the Japan Sumo Association's COVID-19 protocols.
Japan Times
SUMO / INSIDE SUMO
Jun 9, 2021
Asanoyama's likely suspension shows change in JSA's decision-making
The ozeki's violation of COVID-19 protocols would easily have earned a forced retirement in the past.
Japan Times
SUMO / INSIDE SUMO
Jun 2, 2021
Dual yokozuna promotion could join list of recent rare events in sumo
The possibility remains that ozeki Terunofuji and Takakeisho could both be offered the white rope depending on how results pan out at next month's Nagoya Basho.
Japan Times
SUMO / INSIDE SUMO
May 26, 2021
Thrilling Summer Basho showed sumo's potential to entertain
Terunofuji continued his remarkable comeback with his fourth title, but that was far from the only storyline that mesmerized fans over 15 days at Ryogoku Kokugikan.
Japan Times
SUMO / INSIDE SUMO
May 19, 2021
Busting myths: Sumo grapples with persistent urban legends
From exaggerated depictions in popular media to unverified internet rumors, many aspects of the sport and its traditions remain far from understood by the public at large.
Japan Times
SUMO / INSIDE SUMO
May 13, 2021
Foreign sumo fans finding ways to make voices heard
When sumo goes through a crisis the voices calling loudest for needed change and the protection of rikishi are often those from abroad.
Japan Times
SUMO
May 7, 2021
Comeback king Terunofuji poised to reach even greater heights
With Hakuho out and Kakuryu retired, Terunofuji will go into every fight over the next basho or two as the favorite and has a genuine shot at a future promotion to yokozuna.
Japan Times
SUMO / INSIDE SUMO
Apr 28, 2021
Sumo's living history traced through its banzuke
The ranking sheets, which have been produced since the 18th century, serve not only as keepsakes but as snapshots of the sport's changes over time.
Japan Times
SUMO / INSIDE SUMO
Apr 21, 2021
Controversial report could deny Hakuho deserved elder stock
Should the Japan Sumo Association adopt the recommendations of the external advisors, the all-time great yokozuna would be prevented from using his ring name after retiring.
Japan Times
SUMO / INSIDE SUMO
Apr 14, 2021
Takakeisho rises to top of sumo's depth chart
With age and momentum on his side, the burly ozeki has what it takes to add to his two Emperor's Cup titles over the next several years.
Japan Times
SUMO / INSIDE SUMO
Apr 7, 2021
Late Kototsurugi's illustrations captured sumo's essence
The former rikishi's caricaturish style, a longtime fixture of sumo merchandise and media, is widely considered a definitive representation of the sport.
Japan Times
SUMO / INSIDE SUMO
Mar 31, 2021
Terunofuji redefines legacy with historic return to ozeki rank
The Mongolian, who just two years ago was fighting in sumo's second-lowest division, is now being hyped as the next potential yokozuna after his Spring Basho triumph.
Japan Times
SUMO / INSIDE SUMO
Mar 25, 2021
Yokozuna Kakuryu had serene journey through sumo’s often treacherous straits
Kakuryu's nature never allowed him to play the black hat role, and his style of sumo, and gradual ascent to the top, also meant that he flew under the radar for many.
Japan Times
SUMO / INSIDE SUMO
Mar 17, 2021
Fall of Azumazeki stable represents tragic loss for professional sumo
Established in 1986 by former sekiwake Takamiyama, Azumazeki was the first heya in history to be run by a foreign-born stablemaster.
Japan Times
SUMO
Mar 12, 2021
Hakuho eyes makuuchi milestone while Asanoyama seeks chance of promotion at Spring Basho
The tournament, which was relocated from Osaka to Tokyo to reduce the risk of COVID-19 infections, will be the first to feature a yokozuna since July.
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.
Can AI-generated inventions be patented? A Tokyo court says no.
The Tokyo court's ruling comes amid ongoing debates on how to regulate generative AI and is part of a transnational class action lawsuit.
A new initiative rethinks old Tohoku crafts
The colored patterns of Tsuguru "nuri," made in Aomori Prefecture, are achieved by applying multiple coatings of lacquer, which are later polished down to reveal layers of colors beneath.
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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