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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
Rugby
Oct 21, 2019
Brave Blossoms rue quarterfinal exit, but take pride in their Rugby World Cup heroics
Japan's Rugby World Cup players expressed mixed feelings as their incredible campaign came to an end with a quarterfinal defeat to South Africa on Sunday, with pride in their achievements largely crowding out the disappointment.
Japan Times
Rugby
Oct 20, 2019
South Africa routs Japan to advance to Rugby World Cup semifinals
South Africa ended Japan's phenomenal run at the Rugby World Cup with a 26-3 win in Sunday night's quarterfinal.
Japan Times
Rugby
Oct 20, 2019
Barrett hails All Blacks' quick start in quarterfinal romp over Ireland
New Zealand star Beauden Barrett paid tribute to his team's ability to shake off the cobwebs in Saturday's Rugby World Cup quarterfinal demolition of Ireland, as the All Blacks returned from a two-week layoff to set up a semifinal showdown against England.
Japan Times
Rugby
Oct 19, 2019
New Zealand torches Ireland to reach Rugby World Cup semifinals
Two-time defending champion New Zealand cruised into a Rugby World Cup semifinal matchup against England after dismantling Ireland 46-14 on Saturday night.
Japan Times
Rugby
Oct 18, 2019
Brave Blossoms coach Jamie Joseph says team is ready for physicality of Springboks
Japan head coach Jamie Joseph has warned his players to expect a brutal onslaught from South Africa's forwards when they go head to head in Sunday's Rugby World Cup quarterfinal.
Japan Times
PODCAST / deep dive
Oct 17, 2019
Episode 26: Perspectives from Typhoon Hagibis — a storm chaser, an evacuee, a reporter
Typhoon Hagibis hit Japan on Oct. 12, causing widespread damage to Tokyo and its surrounding prefectures. This week, storm chaser James Reynolds, evacueeu00a0Andrew McKirdyu00a0and reporteru00a0Chisato Tanakau00a0share their experiences of the typhoon.
Japan Times
JAPAN / First Person
Oct 17, 2019
Typhoon Hagibis: A night in an evacuation shelter shows just how fragile Tokyo life can be
If you look at a map of Kitasenju in Tokyo's Adachi Ward, you will see that it's almost entirely surrounded by water.
Japan Times
Rugby
Oct 16, 2019
Japan has 'nothing to lose' ahead of quarterfinal clash
Japan's Rugby World Cup heroes on Wednesday vowed to go for broke in their historic quarterfinal against South Africa on Sunday, insisting the Brave Blossoms have "nothing to lose" after reaching the knockout round for the first time.
Japan Times
Rugby
Oct 14, 2019
Brave Blossoms warn rivals 'there's more to come' after reaching Rugby World Cup quarterfinals
Japan's players allowed themselves a moment of satisfaction after beating Scotland to reach the Rugby World Cup quarterfinals for the first time on Sunday, but warned their next opponent, South Africa: "we're not finished yet."
Japan Times
Rugby
Oct 13, 2019
Japan prevails over Scotland and secures historic berth in Rugby World Cup quarterfinals
Japan beat Scotland 28-21 on Sunday night to claim a place in the Rugby World Cup quarterfinals for the first time ever, winning Pool A with a perfect record of four wins from four.
Japan Times
Rugby
Oct 11, 2019
Rugby World Cup fans express disappointment about canceled matches
Rugby World Cup fans on Friday expressed mixed feelings as they contemplated a weekend of canceled games due to Typhoon Hagibis, with ticket-holders praying that Japan's crucial match against Scotland on Sunday still goes ahead.
Japan Times
Rugby
Oct 11, 2019
Jamie Joseph demands respect as Japan prepares for Scotland showdown at Rugby World Cup
Japan head coach Jamie Joseph on Friday blasted suggestions his team is running scared ahead of Sunday's Rugby World Cup showdown against Scotland, insisting the Brave Blossoms are ready to prove they belong in the quarterfinals if the typhoon-threatened match goes ahead.
Japan Times
Rugby
Oct 10, 2019
Rugby World Cup cancels two Saturday games as powerful Typhoon Hagibis takes aim at Japan
Rugby World Cup organizers announced Thursday that two crucial pool games scheduled to take place on Saturday have been canceled to avoid the impact of a massive super typhoon set to hit the country.
Japan Times
Rugby
Oct 6, 2019
Japan coach Jamie Joseph looking forward to 'real ripper' against Scotland
Japan head coach Jamie Joseph is looking forward to "a real ripper" of a game when his team plays Scotland in its final Rugby World Cup pool match next Sunday.
Japan Times
Rugby
Oct 5, 2019
Unbeaten Brave Blossoms battle past Samoa, moving closer to first trip to RWC quarterfinals
Japan made it three wins out of three at the Rugby World Cup and moved within touching distance of the quarterfinals with a 38-19 victory over Samoa — including a bonus point — on Saturday night.
Japan Times
Rugby
Oct 4, 2019
All Blacks' Jordie Barrett ready for unfamiliar role
New Zealand utility back Jordie Barrett insists he is ready to rise to the challenge of being named as the All Blacks' starting standoff to face Namibia on Sunday — despite never having played the position in a test match before.
Japan Times
Rugby
Oct 3, 2019
England ready for Argentina clash
England head coach Eddie Jones on Thursday paid tribute to Japan's "outstanding" Rugby World Cup win over Ireland, before turning his attention back to his team's crunch match against Argentina this weekend.
Japan Times
Rugby
Sep 30, 2019
Rugby superfan 'Bak-san' becomes World Cup sensation with body-painted jerseys
Step aside Beauden Barrett, Owen Farrell and Siya Kolisi — the real MVP of the 2019 Rugby World Cup so far is "Bak-san."
Japan Times
Rugby
Sep 30, 2019
Wales hopes to keep putting best foot forward at RWC
Wales super-sub Rhys Patchell hailed his team's kicking prowess after beating Australia on Sunday, claiming "tries don't win World Cups."
Japan Times
Rugby
Sep 29, 2019
Wales holds off Australia comeback attempt to take control of Pool D in Rugby World Cup
Wales withstood a furious second-half fightback from Australia to seize control of Pool D at the Rugby World Cup with a 29-25 victory on Sunday.
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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