Andrew MCKIRDY - The Japan Times

January 21, 2025

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Andrew MCKIRDY

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Andrew MCKIRDY

Andrew McKirdy is a sports writer for The Japan Times. His main beat is soccer, but he has also covered rugby, tennis, volleyball, golf and even tug-of-war. A native of the Scottish Borders, he has written for The Scotsman newspaper and organized filming for a program on Japanese soccer for ITV television.

Japan Times

CULTURE / TV & Streaming

Nov 1, 2018

A blond Swedish landscape artist flexes for NHK — remember his name ... Tatsumasa Murasame

Who's that hunk of blond beefcake crunching his abs on NHK's workout program "Minna de Kinniku Taiso"?

Japan Times

Rugby

Nov 1, 2018

Steve Hansen names second-string squad to face Brave Blossoms

New Zealand head coach Steve Hansen on Thursday told his new-look All Blacks to "trust your instincts" after naming his team for Saturday's test against Japan.

Japan Times

Rugby

Oct 28, 2018

Japanese rugby history embedded in Hanazono

Harumi Okuno pours another batch of octopus-filled batter into the round hollows of the hot griddle and looks out of the serving hatch toward the rugby stadium at the end of the street.

Japan Times

Rugby

Oct 27, 2018

Supporters of All Blacks, Wallabies enjoy taste of Rugby World Cup atmosphere in Yokohama

Australia and New Zealand fans are already looking forward to next year's Rugby World Cup after getting a taste of the atmosphere in Saturday's Bledisloe Cup game in Yokohama.

Japan Times

Rugby

Oct 27, 2018

All Blacks get best of Wallabies

New Zealand completed a Bledisloe Cup clean sweep of Australia on Saturday with a 37-20 win at the venue where the 2019 Rugby World Cup final will be held.

Japan Times

JAPAN

Oct 15, 2018

Battling 'fatbergs': Tokyo's sewers get an upgrade so they can keep on flowing

In September last year, a monster was discovered in London's sewers.

CULTURE / TV & Streaming

Oct 11, 2018

Anpanman: Is the children's superhero the best thing since sliced bread?

Illustrator Takashi Yanase's beaming cartoon character celebrates the 30th anniversary of 'Soreike! Anpanman' on Nippon TV.

Japan Times

JAPAN / Science & Health

Sep 26, 2018

Japanese researchers aim to unlock secrets of the mysterious giant squid

In ancient legend they were called the kraken, fearsome sea monsters of giant proportions that would drag sailors down to their doom.

Japan Times

JAPAN / Society

Sep 19, 2018

Tokyo's Toshima Ward adds artistic touch to public lavatories to enhance user-friendliness

Dilemma: You are in a public park in Tokyo and you desperately need the toilet.

SOCCER / World cup

Aug 29, 2018

Akira Nishino reflects on Japan's wild World Cup ride

Former national team manager Akira Nishino admits he still has regrets about Japan's exit from this summer's World Cup in Russia, but he believes the team has a bright future under successor Hajime Moriyasu.

JAPAN / History / Defining the Heisei Era

Aug 25, 2018

Defining the Heisei Era: When Japanese sports went global

Baseball star Hideo Nomo may have blazed a trail for Japanese players in the MLB when he signed with the Dodgers in 1995, but the achievements of domestic athletes abroad in the Heisei Era certainly didn't stop there.

SOCCER / J. League

Aug 25, 2018

Kengo Nakamura's second-half strike sends Frontale past Vegalta

Kawasaki Frontale maintained the pressure on J. League leaders Sanfrecce Hiroshima with a 1-0 win over Vegalta Sendai in steamy conditions on Saturday.

Japan Times

Rugby

Aug 22, 2018

New stadium gives recovering Kamaishi hope for future

Takeshi Nagata looks out over the pitch from the back stand of Kamaishi Unosumai Memorial Stadium and tugs at the collar of his shirt. He retired from playing rugby six years ago, but his body is still in good shape and his formal clothes look uncomfortable stretched over his compact but formidable physique....

SOCCER / J. League

Aug 11, 2018

Vegalta Sendai capitalize on second-half chances to beat Kashiwa Reysol

Hiroaki Okuno and Takuma Nishimura both scored in the second half as Vegalta Sendai beat Kashiwa Reysol 2-0 on Saturday to claim their first J. League win in four games.

Japan Times

JAPAN

Aug 7, 2018

2020 Tokyo Olympics chiefs unveil pioneering face-recognition security system

Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic organizers are confident that security for the games will run smoothly and effectively after unveiling a pioneering face-recognition ID system Tuesday.

Japan Times

JAPAN

Jul 31, 2018

Olympic ceremonies promised to be full of 'Japaneseness' but will carry a worldwide message

Classical actor and director Mansai Nomura promised Tuesday that the 2020 Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic opening and closing ceremonies will be full of "Japaneseness" and "wit," one day after the games' organizing committee named him chief executive creative director for the four events.

SOCCER / World cup

Jul 5, 2018

Japan's World Cup team: A not so spotless record

National team captain Makoto Hasebe revealed Thursday that it was the team's staff — not the players — who were responsible for leaving the dressing room spotless following Japan's World Cup defeat to Belgium on Monday.

SOCCER / World cup

Jul 5, 2018

Nishino to pass torch as manager

National team manager Akira Nishino predicted Thursday that Japan will improve on its 2018 World Cup performance by reaching the quarterfinals in 2022, but he will not be around to lead the charge after the Japan Football Association announced it would not extend his contract past the end of this month....

Japan Times

SOCCER / SOCCER SCENE

Jul 3, 2018

Despite disappointing departure, Samurai Blue exceeded expectations at World Cup

Japan's exit from the World Cup on Monday was soccer at its cruelest, but once the dust has settled the team will be able to look back on its campaign with pride and satisfaction.

Japan Times

SOCCER / SOCCER SCENE

Jun 29, 2018

Nishino made right call for Samurai Blue to advance

It was not pretty, but Japan did what was necessary to survive at the World Cup. If the Samurai Blue can make history by beating Belgium on Monday to reach the quarterfinals for the first time, the rather undignified end to Thursday's 1-0 loss to Poland will be long forgotten.

One of the many entrances to the Kabukicho neighborhood in Tokyo’s Shinjuku Ward.

Kabukicho: Tokyo’s ‘stadium of desire’

Atsuyoshi Koike, the president and CEO of Rapidus, says there is a “sense of urgency” when it comes to Japan’s efforts in manufacturing semiconductors. “We have to make sure we are successful,” he says.

Atsuyoshi Koike’s big game: Fourth down and 2 nanometers to go

By Kazuaki Nagata and Richard Meyer

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SWCC keeps changing with keyword ‘new challenges’

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