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November 01, 2025
 

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Onosato ahead of his bout against Aonishiki at The Grand Sumo Tournament at the Royal Albert Hall in London on Oct. 18
SUMO / Inside Sumo
Oct 29, 2025
Kyushu banzuke sets the stage to cement 2025’s sumo narratives
If Onosato triumphs again to make it four titles in five basho, any remaining doubt about his status as a surefire future dai-yokozuna will likely melt away.
Japan's Michael Leitch controls the ball during the match against Australia on Saturday.
MORE SPORTS / Rugby
Oct 26, 2025
Loss to Wallabies doesn't dampen Japan’s optimism
For Japan coach Eddie Jones, a second half turnaround against Australia was a sign of growth.
With the recent sumo jaunt to London being essentially a goodwill exercise, <i>rikishi</i> were far more outgoing and relaxed than normal.
SUMO / INSIDE SUMO
Oct 22, 2025
London exhibition perhaps sumo's most successful trip abroad
Over the course of the tournament, sumo received wall-to-wall coverage in mainstream British media.
Preparations advance on Monday for the Grand Sumo Tournament at the Royal Albert Hall in London.
SUMO / INSIDE SUMO
Oct 15, 2025
Sumo is about to hit London and the West with a force previously unseen
The British capital is playing host to the Japan Sumo Association’s first European exhibition in over three decades.
Top sumo stars, including yokozuna Hoshoryu, perform the goningakari contest, which pits five top-division wrestlers against one yokozuna.
SUMO / INSIDE SUMO
Oct 8, 2025
Japan Sumo Association’s 100th anniversary bash mixes the ancient with the modern
A multitude of historical ceremonies and arcane aspects of the sport, each one rarely performed, were all on display over the space of a few hours at Tokyo’s Kokugikan.
Onosato's victory at the Autumn Grand Sumo Tournament gave him his fifth Emperor’s Cup at the age of 25.
SUMO
Sep 29, 2025
Onosato’s fifth title cements preeminent position in Japan’s national sport
The question now is just how many Emperor’s Cups can the massive yokozuna win?
Kellyann Ball competes at the Venus Sumo Festival in Tachikawa, western Tokyo, on Saturday.
SUMO / INSIDE SUMO
Sep 24, 2025
Rising U.S. women's sumo team hopes to spread the word about Japan’s national sport
American sumo star Kellyann Ball was impressed by a major Japanese tournament for women held this past weekend. Now she's working on creating a similar future in the United States.
Hoshoryu shoves down Hakuoho to move to 3-0 on Day 3 of the Autumn Basho at Kokugikan in Tokyo.
SUMO
Sep 17, 2025
Onosato and Hoshoryu off to hot starts as other contenders fall
Onosato has been dominant while Hoshoryu, who is returning from injury, has had to work harder for his wins.
Hakuyo at Kokugikan in Tokyo the day before his first tournament in professional sumo in May 2014.
SUMO / INSIDE SUMO
Sep 10, 2025
What drives sumo journeymen to endure one of the world's most grueling sports
Professional sumo is one of the harshest environments in sports. Yet many toil away in the sport's lower-tier divisions for years or even decades.
Aonishiki (left) finished 11-4 in his first three tournaments in the top division
SUMO
Sep 5, 2025
Rising star Aonishiki set for another chance to strengthen promotion bid
Yokozuna duo Onosato and Hoshoryu still have to be considered the front-runners to lift the Emperor’s Cup in the upcoming autumn meet.
Yokozuna Hoshoryu and Hello Kitty, an ambassador for sumo's upcoming tour to London, at Tokyo's Kokugikan on Tuesday
SUMO / INSIDE SUMO
Sep 3, 2025
London’s calling and sumo’s top division — along with Hello Kitty — are ready to answer
Ahead of professional sumo's highly anticipated return to Europe, the release of the September rankings confirms who will be on the plane to England.
Wrestlers approach the ring during a regional sumo tour in Misato, Saitama Prefecture in April 2016.
SUMO / Inside Sumo
Aug 27, 2025
Sumo’s grueling summer tour reveals wrestlers' true condition
The heat and length makes the summer tour by far the most physically taxing in sumo, giving fans greater clarity regarding the health of their favorite rikishi.
A training session at Shikoroyama stable in June 2016. Sumo training sessions are increasingly simulated or the preserve of group tours.
SUMO / Inside Sumo
Aug 20, 2025
Is sumo becoming a victim of its own popularity?
In 2025, fans and tourists alike are all too often getting an experience that pales in comparison to what was previously possible.
Wakatakakage during a ring entering ceremony in February 2020
SUMO
Aug 13, 2025
Will Wakatakakage bring balance to the banzuke?
Recent performances and sumo’s need for two ōzeki should help the veteran’s promotion hopes.
Otake <i>oyakata</i> and his wrestlers at Otake stable in April 2018
SUMO / Inside Sumo
Aug 6, 2025
Fresh start for stable founded by legendary yokozuna Taiho
In a historically significant move, the Otake sumo stable will be taken over by someone without a direct connection to its founder.
Kotoshoho celebrates winning his first Grand Sumo Tournament at IG Arena in Nagoya on Sunday.
SUMO / Inside Sumo
Jul 30, 2025
Kotoshoho's shock first Emperor's Cup could reinvigorate his career
Kotoshoho's first Grand Sumo Tournament win in Nagoya on Sunday was perhaps even more surprising than early leader Ichiyamamoto’s would have been.
Ichiyamamoto (left) defeats Gonoyama to secure a winning record at the Nagoya Grand Sumo Tournament, at IG Arena on Monday.
SUMO / INSIDE SUMO
Jul 23, 2025
Disappointing start to Nagoya tournament turns into fascinating final stretch
Sumo’s schedule makers will almost certainly ensure that if Ichiyamamoto is going to taste glory for the first time, he’ll have to do it the hard way.
Egyptian wrestler Osunaarashi has some fun with children during a special Japan Sumo Association event in 2017.
SUMO / INSIDE SUMO
Jul 16, 2025
JSA’s 100th anniversary event is a once-in-a-lifetime chance for sumo fans
People in attendance for the celebration will get a chance to see the rare "sandangamae" performance and demonstrations of ancient sumo.
Onosato will be making his <i>yokozuna</i> debut during the Nagoya Grand Sumo Tournament, which begins Sunday.
SUMO
Jul 11, 2025
Nagoya Basho shaping up to be another red-hot affair at new venue
With the IG Arena promising a far more pleasant viewing experience, anyone lucky enough to get tickets for the upcoming Nagoya tournament should be in for a treat.
With IG Arena getting glowing early reviews as the Nagoya Basho’s replacement venue, it may be a while before fans wax nostalgic about the Aichi Prefectural Gymnasium.
SUMO / Inside Sumo
Jul 9, 2025
New IG Arena set to dial down temperature at Nagoya Basho, in a good way
Modern cooling infrastructure will likely have few sumo fans wishing for a return to the hot and muggy Aichi Prefectural Gymnasium.
Inside Tokyo's 'phantom' stations — and the stories they tell
Mamoru Iwai, stationmaster of Keisei Ueno Station, says that, other than earthquake-proofing, the former Hakubutsukan-Dobutsuen (Museum-Zoo) Station has remained untouched.
Trump trims fentanyl-linked China tariffs after 'amazing' Xi meeting
U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping greet each other as they arrive for talks at the Gimhae Air Base, next to the Gimhae International Airport in Busan, South Korea, on Thursday.
Japanese and South Korean leaders agree to boost ties in first meeting
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi shakes hands with South Korean President Lee Jae Myung ahead of their talks at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum summit in Gyeongju, South Korea, on Thursday.
Takaichi and Xi reaffirm pledge in first meet to pursue ‘mutually beneficial’ ties
A screenshot from Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's X account shows Takaichi exchanging greetings with Chinese President Xi Jinping ahead of an Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit meeting in Gyeongju, South Korea, on Friday.　
Japan’s government ramps up bear control efforts amid rise in attacks
A bear roams around a field in the town of Kuzumaki, Iwate Prefecture, on Oct. 12.
Oasis returns to Japan after 16 years — and fans can still sing every word
Liam Gallagher commanded the stage with effortless charisma during Oasis' Tokyo Dome set on Saturday.
At Japan Mobility Show, BYD gears up to conquer Japan's EV market
BYD Auto Japan President Atsuki Tofukuji unveils the Racco at the Japan Mobility Show in Tokyo on Wednesday.
Oasis returns to Tokyo: Rain, rapture and rock
Fans wait to get into the Oasis show at Tokyo Dome on Saturday. While lining up in the rain, some broke into impromptu versions of the British rock group's hits.
Kyushu banzuke sets the stage to cement 2025’s sumo narratives
Onosato ahead of his bout against Aonishiki at The Grand Sumo Tournament at the Royal Albert Hall in London on Oct. 18
Tokyo Film Festival opens with global stars and a spotlight on Asian storytelling
Director Junji Sakamoto (left) walked the Tokyo International Film Festival red carpet with Sayuri Yoshinaga (center) and Non (right), who both play mountaineer Junko Tabei, the first woman to summit Mount Everest, in the biopic "Climbing for Life."

Podcast

One of the many entrances to the Kabukicho neighborhood in Tokyo’s Shinjuku Ward.
Kabukicho: Tokyo’s ‘stadium of desire’

Longform

Mamoru Iwai, stationmaster of Keisei Ueno Station, says that, other than earthquake-proofing, the former Hakubutsukan-Dobutsuen (Museum-Zoo) Station has remained untouched.
Inside Tokyo's 'phantom' stations — and the stories they tell
By Alex K.T. Martin

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Foreign wrestlers have a long history in sumo
Foreign wrestlers have a long history in sumo

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