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May 03, 2024
 

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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.
For Andrew MCKIRDY's latest contributions to The Japan Times, see below:
Japan Times
SOCCER
Feb 14, 2023
How Kaoru Mitoma studied his way to Premier League stardom
The Samurai Blue winger developed his dribbling skills while completing a four-year physical education degree at Japan's University of Tsukuba.
Japan Times
SOCCER
Feb 7, 2023
'Captain Tsubasa' creator aiming for real-life soccer success
Takahashi has played a big part in helping soccer culture take root in Japan, and believes there is room for it to grow further.
Japan Times
Rugby
Jan 26, 2023
England's Launchbury says more players could move to Japan
The 31-year-old lock left stricken English giants Wasps in November to sign a one-season deal with Toyota Verblitz.
Japan Times
TENNIS
Jan 9, 2023
Naomi Osaka's withdrawal from Australian Open raises questions about star's future
Tennis writer Ben Rothenberg, who has authored a biography of Osaka due out later this year, believes she has already taken a 'meaningful step back' from the sport.
Japan Times
MORE SPORTS
Dec 14, 2022
Bantamweight king Naoya Inoue eyes step up after beating Paul Butler
'This is not the goal,' said the 29-year-old Inoue, who is widely expected to bulk up to the super-bantamweight division.
Japan Times
SOCCER / World cup
Dec 4, 2022
Japan super-sub Ritsu Doan aims to sink Croatia
The Freiburg winger would become the first Japanese player to score three goals at a single World Cup if he scores on Monday, but his focus is on helping his team reach the quarterfinals.
Japan Times
SOCCER / World cup
Nov 28, 2022
Japan captain Maya Yoshida thinks team can still reach knockout stage
Yoshida said Japan struggled to come down from the high of beating Germany in their opening game and found it 'difficult' to prepare for Costa Rica
Japan Times
SOCCER / World cup
Nov 24, 2022
Hajime Moriyasu praises Japan's European education after upset win against Germany
Eight members of Japan's squad are based in Germany and it was two of those players who scored the goals that sealed a historic victory for the Asian side.
Japan Times
Rugby
Oct 30, 2022
Ian Foster calls for cool heads after All Blacks beat Japan
New Zealand conceded four tries and lost lock Brodie Retallick to a red card against a spirited Japanese side that trailed by only four points heading into the final minutes.
Japan Times
MORE SPORTS
Oct 11, 2022
Hideki Matsuyama shuns LIV, commits to PGA on eve of Zozo defense
The PGA Tour has banned LIV golfers from competing in their events and world No. 19 Matsuyama said he had no intention of joining the rebel circuit.
Japan Times
TENNIS
Oct 3, 2022
Nick Kyrgios excited to be at Japan Open as court case looms at home
The 27-year-old Wimbledon finalist is due to have his case heard at a magistrates' court in Canberra on the same day he is scheduled to play in Tokyo.
Japan Times
Rugby
Sep 8, 2022
Jamie Joseph says Japan will tone down swashbuckling style at upcoming Rugby World Cup
Joseph believes the Brave Blossoms can reach another RWC quarterfinal if they get their preparations right.
Japan Times
MORE SPORTS
Aug 22, 2022
Ygor Coelho encouraging Brazilians to dance to rhythm of badminton
The world No. 51 has established himself in the badminton world and says more people in his soccer-mad nation are aiming to follow in his footsteps.
Japan Times
MORE SPORTS
Aug 21, 2022
Uneasy Kento Momota eyes third badminton world title in Tokyo
Despite dismal form so far this year, the 27-year-old hopes that home support can help him upset the odds and claim a third title when the world championships begin on Monday.
Japan Times
MORE SPORTS
Jul 28, 2022
Esports players with impairments continue to break down barriers
Naoya Kitamura, who has microphthalmos and has been blind since birth, says esports can help change the perception that people with disabilities 'just need assistance.'
Japan Times
SOCCER
Jul 8, 2022
Liverpool and Manchester United leading Europe's top clubs back into Asia
European clubs are returning to the Asia-Pacific region for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic and are eager to tap back into lucrative markets.
Japan Times
SUMO
Jul 6, 2022
Far from war, Ukraine sumo team trains for global glory in Japan
The wrestlers, hailing from one of amateur sumo's hotbeds of activity, flew to the United States on Tuesday after completing a monthlong camp ahead of the World Games.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Art
Nov 14, 2020
Art or vandalism? Japan tries to find the right balance with street graffiti.
Tokyo looks to find the right balance between encouraging creative expression and protecting buildings from vandalism.
Japan Times
LIFE / Food & Drink
Oct 17, 2020
With fortunes waning in Japan, sake finds a new home abroad
As the world's hunger for Japanese cuisine grows, so does its thirst for the country's iconic drink.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Music
Oct 10, 2020
Facing the music: Can Japan’s vibrant record culture survive the COVID-19 pandemic?
An iconic Tokyo record store prepares to close, leaving vinyl fans fearing for the future.
Weak yen fattens tourist wallets in Japan
People visit the Ameya Yokocho market in Tokyo's Ueno district during the Golden Week holiday on Tuesday.
Biden calls ally Japan ‘xenophobic’ along with rivals China and Russia
U.S. President Joe Biden speaks in Syracuse, New York, on April 25.
Number of vacant homes in Japan hits record high of 9 million
A vacant house in Tokyo is seen demolished in January 2020.
Harajuku strives to reclaim its former glory — and surpass it
Laforet Harajuku, which celebrated its 45th anniversary last year, has been a witness to the district's evolution over the years.
Saudi Arabia steps up Gaza-related arrests as Israel ties edge closer
The arrests for Gaza-related posts indicate Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s regime will take a hard line against citizens not toeing the line when it comes to normalizing ties with Israel.
Kishida sets sights on energy and climate in South America trip
Prime Minister Fumio Kishida will use a policy speech in Sao Paulo to set out his vision for ties between Japan and South America, almost 10 years after former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe advocated for stronger ties between the two in the same city.
Yellow sand allergy: A health issue made worse by climate change
A screenshot of the Meteorological Agency's satellite image of clouds and yellow sand (in pink) on Sunday.
Climate change, chalky grains and the risks for Japan’s rice farmers
A farmer plants seedlings in Satsumasendai, Kagoshima Prefecture. Japan’s self sufficiency rate for rice is nearly 100%, compared with 38% for food overall, on a calorie basis.
Japan wants you to spend more with ‘luxury tourism’
Performers play a traditional drum unique to Wajima, Ishikawa Prefecture, in the prefectural capital of Kanazawa on March 16 to mark the extension of the Hokuriku Shinkansen line to Tsuruga Station in Fukui Prefecture.
Theaster Gates’ ambitious ‘Afro-Mingei’ brings Black Chicago to Tokyo
Theaster Gates' “A Heavenly Chord” lines up church pews before seven speakers and a Hammond B3 organ, a type of electric organ prevalent in Black American churches.

Podcast

From easily navigable train stations to the helpfulness of its municipal staff, Tokyo has earned high praise for its commitment to accessibility for disabled travelers.
[Rebroadcast] Japan is doing better on accessibility than you may think

Longform

When trying to trace your lineage in Japan, the "koseki" is the most important form of document you'll encounter.
Climbing the branches of a Japanese family tree
By Alex K.T. Martin

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