National Nov 1, 2020
From exile in Kyoto, a social media leader in the fight for Thailand
With thousands of Thai students defying government attempts to halt pro-democracy rallies, many see Pavin Chachavalpongpun as an inspiration for change.
Joel Tansey
For Joel Tansey's latest contributions to The Japan Times, see below:
DEEP DIVE Oct 14, 2020
Episode 68: Naomi Osaka — seven matches, seven masks, seven names
News editor Joel Tansey discusses the impact of Naomi Osaka’s support for the Black Lives Matter movement both in the U.S. and Japan, and what a new wave of activism in sports might mean for next summer's Tokyo Olympics.
Tennis Sep 13, 2020
Outstanding Osaka: Japanese star captures second U.S. Open title
Naomi Osaka completed a nearly flawless two weeks of tennis with a tight three-set win over Victoria Azarenka to capture her third major title.
Tennis Sep 11, 2020
Naomi Osaka reaches U.S. Open final with gutsy three-set win
Osaka overcame American Jennifer Brady at Arthur Ashe Stadium to set up a potential third Grand Slam title, two years after capturing her first at the same tournament.
Tennis Jul 7, 2020
Junior Wimbledon champion Shintaro Mochizuki may have more surprises in store
The 17-year-old Kawasaki native, who broke a 50-year grand slam drought for Japanese boys last year, is turning heads with his impressive net play.
Tennis Jun 28, 2020
Japanese players express concern as tennis tours prepare to restart
Yoshihito Nishioka, Japan's No. 2 men's player, told The Japan Times he thinks it's too early for tennis to resume in light of a spate of positive COVID-19 tests.
DEEP DIVE Apr 29, 2020
Episode 48: The Great Konbini Debate
Which Japanese convenience store is best and why? That's the question Newspick's Yuzuha Oka and The Japan Times' Chris Russell, Joel Tansey and Oscar Boyd attempt to answer.
Tennis Feb 15, 2020
Yoshihito Nishioka and Go Soeda target Olympic berths
Yoshihito Nishioka didn't mince words when asked about his goals for the 2020 tennis season. "My first goal is making the Olympics," he told The Japan Times last week. "To play in the Olympics in my home country ... I don't want to miss it." In ...
Tennis Jan 19, 2020
Osaka to face young guns at Australian Open
Asked to select the female player under 25 who is likely to have the best career, American tennis legend Chris Evert hesitates, hums and haws before coming up with her answer. "I'm looking at Naomi Osaka's name right here. I think Naomi," she told reporters ...
Tennis Sep 24, 2019
Naomi Osaka raised spectators' spirits, pleased organizers at Pan Pacific Open
It was a potential nightmare for fans, tournament organizers and even the players. Hours after the start of a rain delay Friday afternoon, the wet weather showed no sign of letting up and it was beginning to look like the rest of the day's schedule ...