Culture Feb 9, 2021

Amid a global chess boom, shogi eyes its own winning moves

The game has seen a surge in interest during the pandemic, with children and adults alike dusting off their boards or joining online communities.

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.

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 ...