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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.
COMMENTARY / World
Jun 18, 2016

Maradona and Pele are wrong about Messi

Argentina's Lionel Messi proves once again he deserves his reputation as one of the three greatest soccer players of all time.
COMMENTARY / World
Aug 22, 2015

Messi without peer anywhere in the world

No soccer player in the world can rival Barcelona forward Lionel Messi, not even the great Cristiano Ronaldo.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Art
Apr 23, 2014

'Soccer: What Lies Ahead of Our Imageries'

In terms of the number of people who play the game, soccer is one of the most popular sports in the world. As such, for many the sport means a great more than simply a game to play or watch.
JAPAN
Apr 16, 2014

'Japanese Only' sign sparks bigotry debate

For nearly two decades, Shunji Usui has been a fixture at Urawa Red Diamonds matches at Saitama Stadium in the suburbs of Tokyo, a face in the crowd among the most avid — and sometimes rabid — fans of any Japanese soccer club.
JAPAN
Mar 14, 2014

Olympic credibility under threat in wake of soccer fans' xenophobic banner

The recent controversy over the 'Japanese only' banner put up by Urawa Reds soccer fans is yet further testimony to the nation's entrenched insensitivity to racism and threatens Tokyo's credibility as host of the 2020 Olympics, experts say.
SOCCER
Mar 5, 2013

Beckham 'excited' to help promote soccer in China

David Beckham will help promote soccer in China by taking a role as a global ambassador for the game in the world's most populous country.
LIFE / Food & Drink / Japan Pulse
Jul 22, 2011

A win-win for Nadeshiko and Japan's merchants

Did retailers predict that the Japan women's team would win the World Cup? Probably not, but they're perfectly happy to capitalize on Nadeshiko fever now.
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.

Longform

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