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September 03, 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
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.
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.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Sep 29, 2019
Chiba biwa grower vows to continue despite post-Typhoon Faxai damage
In May this year, loquat grower Kenzo Takeba showed The Japan Times around his farm in Minamiboso, Chiba Prefecture, explaining how he cultivates the soft, juicy fruit that contributes so much to the local economy.
Rugby
Sep 28, 2019
Stunner in Shizuoka: Japan beats No. 2-ranked Ireland 19-12 in Rugby World Cup
Japan pulled off another Rugby World Cup shock for the ages with a fearless 19-12 win over Ireland on Saturday.
Japan Times
CULTURE
Sep 28, 2019
Go for it: Ancient board game holds logical and artistic appeal for players worldwide
The master enters the room several minutes after the scheduled 9 a.m. start.
Rugby
Sep 28, 2019
Brave Blossoms savor win over Ireland and shift focus to next match
Japan regular captain Michael Leitch hailed his team's momentous Rugby World Cup win over Ireland on Saturday as a "massive step" toward a first-ever place in the quarterfinals, but warned that nothing has been decided yet.
Japan Times
Rugby
Sep 22, 2019
Even after routing Scotland, Ireland remains wary of Japan
Ireland head coach Joe Schmidt dismissed suggestions his players can take it easy after starting their Rugby World Cup campaign with a resounding win over Scotland on Sunday, warning that "dangerous" next opponent Japan will punish any complacency from the world's No. 1-ranked side.
Japan Times
Rugby
Sep 22, 2019
Ireland crushes Scotland in early show of force
World No. 1-ranked Ireland announced itself in dominant style at the 2019 Rugby World Cup with a bruising 27-3 win over Scotland on Sunday.
Japan Times
Rugby
Sep 22, 2019
All Blacks look ahead after beating Springboks in first-round clash of titans
Two-time defending champion New Zealand began its 2019 Rugby World Cup campaign with a statement win over South Africa on Saturday night, but head coach Steve Hansen thinks it will count for little when the business end of the tournament begins in the knockout round.
More sweltering days forecast for September after hottest summer on record
By the end of August, 8,341 people had been transported by ambulance for heatstroke in Tokyo alone.
‘Mount Fuji Lawson’ becomes a symbol of Japan’s overtourism problem
A couple poses for a wedding photo in front of a Lawson in the town of Kawaguchiko, Yamanashi Prefecture, on Aug. 25.
Surrounded by Chinese bases, a tiny Philippine island stands firm
A Philippine Navy sailor looks at a China Coast Guard vessel just off the coast of Pag-asa Island in the disputed South China Sea last month.
Woman dies after possible knife attack in Setagaya
Police investigate the scene where a woman was found bleeding on a street in Tokyo's Setagaya Ward on Monday.
Suntory CEO Takeshi Niinami resigns over alleged possession of illegal drugs
Takeshi Niinami, then-chief executive officer of Suntory Holdings, in May 2024
Xi — joined by Kim and Putin — delivers stark warning at military parade
Chinese leader Xi Jinping walks with Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un before a military parade marking the 80th anniversary of victory over Japan and the end of World War II, in Beijing on Wednesday.
Tamagotchi hatches 100 million shipments worldwide thanks to ’90s nostalgia
The latest version of Tamagotchi, called Tamagotchi Paradise, is awarded the best digital toy at Tokyo Toy Show on Aug. 28.
Why Stalin didn’t invade Hokkaido still largely unknown, 80 years after WWII
During a survey to collect the remains of victims from the Taito Maru, one of the vessels involved in the Three Ships Incident, a metal helmet was found near the stern of the vessel on Aug. 5, 1984, at Rumoi Port. No human remains were discovered.
More sweltering days forecast for September after hottest summer on record
By the end of August, 8,341 people had been transported by ambulance for heatstroke in Tokyo alone.
Surrounded by Chinese bases, a tiny Philippine island stands firm
A Philippine Navy sailor looks at a China Coast Guard vessel just off the coast of Pag-asa Island in the disputed South China Sea last month.

Podcast

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