author

 
 
Dan Orlowitz
Dan Orlowitz is a sports writer for the Japan Times, focusing primarily on the J. League, Samurai Blue, and everything there is to print about Japanese soccer. A Philadelphia native and graduate of Simon's Rock College, he moved to Japan at the end of 2006 and fell in love with the beautiful game from behind the FC Tokyo goal. His words, photos, voice, and occasionally visage have appeared online, in print, and over the airwaves for numerous outlets in several languages since 2011.
For Dan Orlowitz's latest contributions to The Japan Times, see below:
Machida Zelvia players celebrate their promotion to the J1, in Kumamoto on Sunday.
SOCCER / J. League / From the Spot
Oct 24, 2023
Go Kuroda's one-year revolution brings Zelvia to J1 promised land
The western Tokyo club will play in the top flight for the first time in 2024 as it continues to flourish on and off the pitch.
Vissel midfielder Haruya Ide (left) celebrates after scoring the team's second goal against Kashima at the National Stadium in Tokyo on Saturday.
SOCCER / J. League
Oct 21, 2023
Vissel thrashes Antlers with Daiju Sasaki brace to maintain J1 lead
Kobe stayed four games ahead of defending champion F. Marinos as the J. League moves into its final stretch.
Albirex's Moemi Nishibuchi (left) and Sanfrecce's Manaka Matsumoto contest for a header during the final of the 2023 WE League Cup in Kawasaki on Saturday.
SOCCER
Oct 14, 2023
Sanfrecce outlasts Albirex for WE League Cup title
The sister team of three-time J. League champions Sanfrecce Hiroshima earned its first major trophy since its 2020 inception.
Vissel's Yoshinori Muto (left) takes a shot on the F. Marinos goal in Yokohama on Friday.
SOCCER
Sep 29, 2023
Vissel opens up four-point lead with win over F. Marinos
Reigning champion Yokohama saw its hope of a title defense take a strong blow following the shutout loss at Nissan Stadium.
Fans shoot Friday's second practice session at Suzuka Circuit.
MORE SPORTS / Auto Racing
Sep 25, 2023
Amateur race photographers thrive at Suzuka Circuit
The famed Japanese speedway's "cameraman seats" were launched 10 years ago as a way to accommodate both hobbyist shooters and regular race fans.
AlphaTauri's Yuki Tsunoda waves to the crowd prior to the start of the Japanese Grand Prix.
MORE SPORTS / Auto Racing
Sep 24, 2023
In pictures: Race day at the Japanese Grand Prix
Here's a selection of photos from around Suzuka Circuit as Formula One roars into Japan.
Many of Yuki Tsunoda's fans gathered around the second corner at Suzuka Circuit.
MORE SPORTS / Auto Racing
Sep 23, 2023
In pictures: Day 2 of the Japanese Grand Prix
A selection of photos from The Japan Times, including a sneak peek into the garage of Yuki Tsunoda's AlphaTauri team.
Yuki Tsunoda arrives at Suzuka Circuit on Friday ahead of the first practice sessions for the Japanese Grand Prix.
MORE SPORTS / Auto Racing
Sep 23, 2023
AlphaTauri makes it official: Yuki Tsunoda keeps seat for 2024
The Japanese driver's immediate future in Formula One is secure, with his AlphaTauri team confirming that his contract has been finalized for 2024.
AlphaTauri crew members rehearse their pit stops ahead of Friday's practice sessions at Suzuka Circuit.
MORE SPORTS / Auto Racing
Sep 22, 2023
Gallery: Suzuka Circuit comes alive as Japanese GP practice begins
Friday's strong turnout suggested that an unforgettable weekend will be in store for Formula One fans.
Fans watch the F1 Tokyo Festival outside Kabukicho Tower in Shinjuku Ward on Wednesday.
MORE SPORTS / Auto Racing
Sep 20, 2023
Formula One fans fill up Tokyo festival ahead of Japanese Grand Prix
Thousands skipped work and school to get a glimpse of two-time champion Max Verstappen, hometown hero Yuki Tsunoda and other drivers.
Urawa's notoriously fervent supporters are known for packing stands, as well as for repeated off-the-pitch incidents that have impacted the club's reputation.
SOCCER / J. League / From the Spot
Sep 20, 2023
Urawa pays price for hooliganism after years of looking the other way
The J. League club has been banned from playing in Japan's top club tournament after more than a hundred supporters took part in an August pitch invasion.
Nadeshiko Japan reached the knockout stage at a fourth consecutive FIFA Women's World Cup before being eliminated in the quarterfinals on Friday by Sweden.
SOCCER / Women's World cup / From the Spot
Aug 15, 2023
Bold steps needed from JFA, WE League to maintain momentum after WWC
After Nadeshiko Japan's inspiring quarterfinal run in New Zealand, the country's soccer bodies must avoid the missteps of the post-2011 boom and bust.
Fans at Tokyo's Ariake Arena watch Yuto Horigome compete in Street League Skateboarding's debut Japan event on Saturday.
MORE SPORTS / Skateboarding
Aug 13, 2023
Yuto Horigome thrills in Street League Skateboarding's Japan debut
The raucous crowd at Ariake Arena starkly contrasted with the empty skate park nearby where the 24-year-old captured his Olympic gold medal two years ago.
Sweden's Magdalena Eriksson celebrates her team's win over Japan as Aoba Fujino looks dejected, in Auckland on Friday.
SOCCER / Women's World cup / From the Spot
Aug 11, 2023
Nadeshiko's bright future undimmed by Sweden defeat
The flair, excitement and promise demonstrated by the team has shown that Japan can again lift the FIFA Women's World Cup trophy one day.
Nadeshiko Japan players celebrate Risa Shimizu's goal in their 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup round-of-16 game against Norway in Wellington on Saturday.
SOCCER / Women's World cup / From the Spot
Aug 6, 2023
Nadeshiko Japan is back, but is Japan paying attention?
The team’s lack of media exposure and name recognition is a symptom of the Japan Football Association’s failure to capitalize on its 2011 world title.
Paris Saint-Germain players line up before the team's club friendly against Inter Milan at Tokyo's National Stadium on Tuesday.
SOCCER
Aug 2, 2023
Second straight tour shows PSG's commitment to Japanese market
The French superclub has experienced explosive growth in its global base, especially in Asia, since its 2011 takeover by Qatari ownership.
Neither Neymar (left) nor summer signing Lee Kang-in appeared for Paris Saint-Germain in the team's friendly against Inter at Tokyo's National Stadium on Tuesday.
SOCCER
Aug 1, 2023
Neymar sits out PSG's last Japan game in defeat to Inter
The Brazilian star, who is recovering from ankle surgery, drew loud cheers at the National Stadium but was not brought on by new manager Luis Enrique.
Bayern defender Kim Min-jae (center) and Frontale forward Yusuke Segawa (right) contend for the ball during an international friendly at the National Stadium on Saturday.
SOCCER / J. League
Jul 29, 2023
Kim Min-jae makes Bayern debut in friendly win over Frontale
A second-half goal by defender Josip Stanisic was enough for the German champion to end its first visit to Japan since 2008 on a high note.
Manchester City's Jack Grealish (right) contends for the ball with Bayern's Joshua Kimmich (center) during an international friendly at Tokyo's National Stadium on Wednesday.
SOCCER
Jul 26, 2023
Manchester City delights crowd with narrow win over Bayern
Goals by James Mcatee and Aymeric Laporte were enough to see treble-winning City to victory as it swept both games of its Japan tour.
Mid-match water breaks have become common occurrences at J. League games as temperatures have risen in recent years.
SOCCER / Women's World cup
Jul 20, 2023
Soccer feeling the heat from Japan's scorching summer
Postponements of matches reflect the growing challenges facing amateur teams as they attempt to cope with Japan’s increasingly hostile summer months.

Longform

A statue of "Dragon Ball" character Goku stands outside the offices of Bandai Namco in Tokyo. The figure is now as recognizable as such characters as Mickey Mouse and Spider-Man.
Akira Toriyama's gift to the world