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COMMENTARY / World
Jun 3, 2015

FIFA needs a total overhaul

Soccer finds itself in the gravest crisis of its history, and FIFA must be reconstituted from scratch if the beautiful game is to thrive.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Companies
Jun 8, 2014

Sony urges vigorous FIFA probe of Qatar World Cup 'bribes'

Sony Corp. became the first World Cup sponsor to call for a thorough investigation into accusations bribes were paid to secure the 2022 tournament for Qatar, raising pressure on soccer chiefs who have threatened to move the event if the allegations are proved true.
Japan Times
CULTURE
Jun 5, 2014

Cheer on the Samurai Blue at events across the country

It may be nicknamed the "beautiful game," but these days it can sometimes be hard to see soccer as anything but ugly.
SOCCER / SOCCER SCENE
Aug 24, 2008

Future looking grim for Olympic soccer

Argentina successfully defended its Athens Games gold in the Bird's Nest on Saturday, but events off the pitch have made sure little else about Olympic soccer will be the same again.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / THE WRITERS' SPIN
May 31, 2002

Keio professor applies soccer tactics to business

Watching World Cup soccer games may give corporate managers a good clue about productive organization. Shunsuke Takahashi, an expert on human resources management, said that in a "soccer style" organization, team members work autonomously and flexibly. Even defenders can take shots on goal.
MORE SPORTS
May 28, 2000

Japanese soccer finished, or glory days still ahead?

This past week the lists of the top income taxpayers in Japan were announced and bantered about in all the media. And, as this country loves youth like just about no other, 17-year-old singing sensation Hikaru Utada and 19-year-old Seibu Lions pitching phenom Daisuke Matsuzaka garnered more attention...
MULTIMEDIA / SPORTS SCOPE
May 11, 2000

Wanted: soccer manager for long-term relationship

Heard enough about Japan soccer boss Philippe Troussier recently? OK, I understand. Don't worry, this is not about him. Well, not much. Today, we go one step beyond to the big question: Who would be right for the job as coach of the Japanese soccer team, assuming it's not going to be Troussier?
JAPAN
May 8, 1998

Panel OKs soccer lotto; bill foe Tanaka kicked out

A revised bill to introduce a soccer lottery system to raise funds to promote sports activities was approved Friday by a Lower House panel, bringing the lucrative but controversial legislation one step closer to enactment.
Japan Times
SOCCER
Feb 7, 2023

'Captain Tsubasa' creator aiming for real-life soccer success

Takahashi has played a big part in helping soccer culture take root in Japan, and believes there is room for it to grow further.
Japan Times
SOCCER
Jan 18, 2023

Corruption trial opens over international soccer broadcast rights

The charges are part of a long-running corruption probe surrounding soccer's global governing body FIFA.
Japan Times
SOCCER
Oct 5, 2022

Becky Sauerbrunn calls for ouster of officials named in abuse report

The two-time World Cup winner said players were 'horrified and heartbroken' by the findings of a report published on Monday following a year-long investigation.
Japan Times
SOCCER
May 17, 2022

Chinese soccer in a tailspin after 10-year shift from boom to bust

The decision to relinquish the rights to next year's Asian Cup finals, which was made by China last weekend citing COVID-19 uncertainties, has left Chinese soccer facing an uncertain future.
Japan Times
SOCCER
May 26, 2021

U.S. women's soccer coach Vlato Andonovski says Tokyo squad still up in the air

U.S. women's national soccer team head coach Vlatko Andonovski offered few clues on Tuesday about his highly anticipated Olympic squad, as the team prepares for a training camp and three-game Summer Series next month.
Japan Times
SOCCER
May 4, 2021

Transgender soccer referee makes Israeli sports history

Sapir Berman made sports history on Monday, officiating at a soccer match in Israel's Premier League for the first time since coming out as transgender.
SOCCER / J. League
Jan 3, 2021

The pandemic season: How Japanese soccer survived the coronavirus

In an extensive interview with The Japan Times, J. League chairman Mitsuru looked back on how the league has navigated the turbulent 2020 campaign.
Japan Times
SOCCER
Jan 10, 2019

New Suzuka Unlimited manager Milagros Martinez Dominguez becomes first female boss in Japan men's soccer

Mie Prefecture-based Suzuka Unlimited unveiled Milagros Martinez Dominguez as the club's new manager on Wednesday, becoming the first men's team in a Japanese national league to hire a woman for the position.
COMMENTARY / World
Jul 1, 2018

Oh, the symbolism of Germany's World Cup exit

It was a nation of champions in 2014. It is a nation of self-doubters today.
JAPAN
May 23, 2018

Ceremony held to mark start of construction of new station for Fukushima's J-Village soccer center

A groundbreaking ceremony was held Tuesday for a new railway station that is to be constructed adjacent to the J-Village national soccer center in Fukushima Prefecture.
Japan Times
SOCCER
Jul 18, 2017

Spanish soccer chief, son arrested during anti-corruption raids

Police arrested the head of Spain's soccer federation, throwing the leadership of the sport in the World Cup-winning nation into disarray a year before the next round of the elite championship takes place in Russia.
SOCCER / Women's World cup
Jul 21, 2023

Nadeshiko Japan's Women's World Cup glory now distant memory

Japan begins its latest World Cup campaign against Zambia on Saturday, but is ranked 11th now and no longer among the favorites.
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.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino announces Brazil as the host of the 2027 Women's World Cup during the 74th FIFA Congress in Bangkok on Friday.
SOCCER / Women's World cup
May 17, 2024

Brazil named as host of 2027 Women's World Cup

FIFA chose to continue its push to expand women's soccer by taking the tournament to South America for the first time.
Machida Zelvia's Yu Hirakawa (center) is challenged by Albirex Niigata's Yuto Horigome during the two teams' J. League clash at Machida Gion Stadium in Machida, Tokyo, on Saturday.
SOCCER / J. League
Jun 4, 2024

From nonleague to top of the league for upstarts Machida

The team from Tokyo's suburbs tops the table approaching the halfway point of the season.
Japan head coach Hajime Moriyasu gives a speech after his team clinched a spot in the 2026 World Cup with a win over Bahrain on Thursday in Saitama.
SOCCER / World cup
Mar 23, 2025

Japan's quiet World Cup celebrations show it is hungry for much more

Samurai Blue celebrated its qualification for the World Cup with victory speeches and a water shower for coach Hajime Moriyasu. But this squad has much bigger aims.
Zico, Brazilian soccer legend and current technical director for Kashima Antlers, poses following an interview at the Antlers's training ground in Kashima, Ibaraki Prefecture, on May 28.
SOCCER
Jun 3, 2025

Zico warns Japanese players not to follow Brazilians into transfer trap

The 72-year-old says Japanese players looking beyond the J. League is a "positive" development — as long as they move at the right time.
Chelsea fans display a banner before the Club World Cup Final in East Rutherford, New Jersey, on July 13.
SOCCER
Sep 12, 2025

England's Football Association charges Chelsea with 74 breaches of rules

The FA did not elaborate on the charges, but Chelsea said the matters were "self-reported" by the club after the change in ownership in May 2022.

Longform

Figure skater Akiko Suzuki was once told her ideal weight should be 47 kilograms, a number she now admits she “naively believed.” This led to her have a relationship with food that resulted in her suffering from anorexia.
The silent battle Japanese athletes fight with weight