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Fans cheer during a friendly match between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Kiwoon Heroes ahead of the Major League Baseball Seoul Series in Seoul on Sunday.
BASEBALL / MLB
Mar 18, 2024

MLB brings Shohei Ohtani, season openers and big dreams to Seoul

With a set of stars from the region, 2024 is turning out to be baseball’s moment in Asia.
Japan head coach Hajime Moriyasu holds a news conference in Tokyo on Wednesday.
SOCCER
Mar 20, 2024

'Frustration' to drive Japan in North Korea World Cup qualifiers

The pre-tournament favorites and four-time champions exited the Asian Cup in the quarterfinals last month after losing 2-1 to Iran.
Japan's Ao Tanaka in action with North Korea's Yu-Song Kim during Samurai Blue's win over North Korea in World Cup qualifying on Thursday in Tokyo.
SOCCER
Mar 22, 2024

Japan earns scrappy win over North Korea in World Cup qualifier

The Samurai Blue now have three wins from three in their group and are firmly on course to reach the next stage of qualifying.
North Korean fans cheer on the national team during a World Cup qualifying match against Japan on Thursday in Tokyo.
SOCCER
Mar 24, 2024

The many twists and turns for Japan's canceled World Cup qualifier in Pyongyang

On Sunday, FIFA ultimately determined that the match wouldn't go ahead at all, which could hand Japan a place in the next round.
Argentina's Lionel Messi celebrates winning the FIFA World Cup in Qatar in December 2022.
SOCCER
Mar 28, 2024

Age won't determine when I retire, says Lionel Messi

Lionel Messi will turn 37 in under three months, but knows for sure that his age will not determine when it is time to hang up his boots.
North Korean defender Kim Kyong Sok and Japan winger Daizen Maeda compete for the ball during a World Cup qualifying match on March 21 in Tokyo.
SOCCER
Mar 31, 2024

Japan handed 3-0 win after North Korea called off World Cup qualifier

With 12 points after four games, Japan has now qualified for the third round of World Cup qualifiers as well as the 2027 Asian Cup.
Former president of the Spanish football federation Luis Rubiales in Madrid on Sept. 15
SOCCER
Apr 4, 2024

Rubiales arrested at airport over alleged federation graft scandal

His arrest came two weeks after investigators searched 11 locations as part of a probe.
Streptococcal Toxic Shock Syndrome (STSS) is caused by bacteria called group A streptococcus, the same type that causes a strep throat infection, which affects mostly children. A strep A throat infection is not the same as STSS, however.
JAPAN / Science & Health / EXPLAINER
Apr 5, 2024

Japan's tissue-damaging bacterial disease: What you need to know

Misconceptions are fueling jitters at home and abroad, with travelers considering putting off their plans to visit the country.
United States defender Casey Short (20) and Japan midfielder Aoba Fujino (15) run for the ball during the second half at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia, on Saturday.
SOCCER
Apr 7, 2024

Horan penalty gives USA comeback win over Japan

The Americans will now face regional rivals Canada in Tuesday's final.
U.S. forward Sophia Smith celebrates a goal during penalty kicks against Canada in the final of the SheBelieves Cup in Columbus, Ohio, on Tuesday.
SOCCER
Apr 10, 2024

Alyssa Naeher the hero as U.S. downs Canada to win SheBelieves

An entertaining battle went to a shootout after finishing deadlocked at 2-2 after 90 minutes and stoppage time.
Puma launches a new brand campaign with Olympic athletes in Paris on Wednesday.
OLYMPICS
Apr 10, 2024

Puma hones focus on speed in Olympic battle with Adidas and Nike

As Puma tries to win over more everyday and serious runners, its sponsorship of Jamaica's Olympic team helps to associate the brand with speed.
Barcelona's Raphinha celebrates after his goal against PSG during the first leg of their Champions League quarterfinal in Paris on Wednesday.
SOCCER
Apr 11, 2024

Xavi says win over PSG proves Barca can still compete with Europe's best clubs

Barcelona is appearing in the last eight of the Champions League for the first time since 2020.
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani and his interpreter, Ippei Mizuhara, in December at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California
BASEBALL
Apr 12, 2024

How Ippei Mizuhara allegedly wired millions from Shohei Ohtani’s account

Crucially for Ohtani, a U.S. investigation clearly paints him as a victim without any involvement in or knowledge of his interpreter's gambling woes.
Ippei Mizuhara and Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani attend a news conference ahead of MLB's season-opening series in Seoul on March 16.
BASEBALL / MLB
Apr 12, 2024

Texts between Ippei Mizuhara and bookie show the walls closing in

Federal prosecutors say Ippei Mizuhara stole $16 million from Shohei Ohtani from November 2021 to January 2024.
Aston Villa's Leon Bailey (right) and Arsenal's Declan Rice vie for the ball during their match in London on Sunday.
SOCCER
Apr 15, 2024

Mikel Arteta challenges Arsenal to 'show character' after title hopes take hit

The Gunners' title hopes suffered a blow in a 2-0 defeat against Aston Villa.
Marinos' Jun Amano (left) and Ulsan's Joo Min-kyu fight for the ball during the AFC Champions League semifinal first leg soccer match between Ulsan Hyundai FC and Yokohama F. Marinos in Ulsan, South Korea, on Wednesday.
SOCCER
Apr 17, 2024

Ulsan edges Yokohama in Asian Champions League semifinal opener

The victory has clinched Ulsan's place at next year's Club World Cup.
Real Madrid players celebrate during a penalty shootout against Manchester City on Wednesday.
SOCCER
Apr 18, 2024

Real Madrid exact revenge on Man City to reach Champions League semis

City's defense of the competition came to an end after Bernardo Silva and Mateo Kovacic saw spot kicks saved by Madrid's unlikely hero Andriy Lunin.
Makoto Hasebe in action during a Europa League game in December 2021
SOCCER
Apr 18, 2024

Frankfurt's Japanese veteran Makoto Hasebe to retire at age 40

Hasebe made his international debut in 2006 and featured in 114 games for Japan while serving as captain from 2010 to 2018.
Arsenal's Leandro Trossard (left) celebrates scoring the team's first goal against Wolves on Saturday
SOCCER
Apr 21, 2024

Arsenal grinds out Wolves win to go top of Premier League

Leandro Trossard and Martin Odegaard struck at the end of each half to take the Gunners one point clear of Manchester City, who have a game in hand.
Princess Aiko attends an imperial garden party in Tokyo on Tuesday.
JAPAN
Apr 24, 2024

Princess Aiko makes debut at imperial garden party

The princess joined the party hosted by the emperor and empress at the Akasaka Imperial Gardens after graduating from Gakushuin University last month.
Al-Ain's players celebrate after winning on aggregate their AFC Champions League semifinal against Al-Hilal in Riyadh on Tuesday.
SOCCER
Apr 24, 2024

Al-Ain seals Asian Champions League final berth despite loss

Goals from Ruben Neves and Salem al-Dawsari gave Al-Hilal victory on the night at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh.
Wrestlers prepare for the start of a bout at the 2023 Sumo World Championships in Tokyo. Starting this month, placing one hand on the clay first is no longer allowed.
SUMO / INSIDE SUMO
Apr 24, 2024

For amateur sumo, a fresh start offers hope against time-wasting and gamesmanship

Among the measures is an emphasis on wrestlers putting both hands down at the same time, with punishments including disqualification for noncompliance.
Marinos players celebrate after winning a shootout against Hyundai on Wednesday to advance to the Asian Champions League final.
SOCCER
Apr 25, 2024

Marinos edge Ulsan in thriller to reach first Asian Champions League final

Marinos won a pulsating semifinal that ended 3-3 on aggregate to reach the Asian Champions League final for the first time.
Liverpool's Mohamed Salah looks dejected after his side drew with West Ham on Saturday in London.
SOCCER
Apr 28, 2024

Liverpool's Premier League title hopes suffer blow as Sheffield United relegated

Jurgen Klopp's glittering reign appears to be ending on a flat note after his side dropped points for the fourth time in five league games.
Rafael Nadal celebrates his win over Alex de Minaur on Saturday at the Madrid Open.
TENNIS
Apr 28, 2024

Nadal shines in Madrid win but warns he 'needs time' to find full power

It was an impressive performance from the 37-year-old but he immediately dismissed the idea it was anywhere near his vintage form.
City's Erling Haaland scores against Forest during their match in Nottingham, England, on Sunday.
SOCCER
Apr 29, 2024

Relentless Manchester City keeps pressure on Arsenal in title race

A captivating three-way title race has become a duel between Manchester City and Arsenal
Bayern Munich midfielder Jamal Musiala (left) battles with Real Madrid's Vinicius Junior during the first leg of the Champions League semifinals on Tuesday in Munich.
SOCCER
May 1, 2024

Vinicius hits brace as Real Madrid come back to snatch draw at Bayern

The draw puts Madrid in the driver's seat ahead of next week's return leg in the Spanish capital.
Dortmund's Niclas Fuellkrug jumps to head the ball in front of Paris St. Germain's Lucas Beraldo (right) and Ousmane Dembele during the first leg of their Champions League semifinal in Dortmund, Germany, on Wednesday.
SOCCER
May 2, 2024

Dortmund expects tougher challenge after upsetting PSG in first leg

Edin Terzic said the return encounter next week will be far tougher.
Attendees at the Leap technology conference in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on March 6, 202. The oil-rich country is plowing money into glitzy events, computing power and artificial intelligence research, putting it in the middle of an escalating U.S.-China struggle for technological influence.
WORLD / Politics
May 2, 2024

‘To the future’: Saudi Arabia spends big to become an AI superpower

Saudi Arabia was long a financial spigot for tech, but is now building its own industry.
Japan players celebrate after beating Uzbekistan in the final of the Under-23 Asian Cup in Doha on Friday.
SOCCER
May 4, 2024

Kokubo's injury time penalty save secures Under-23 Asian Cup for Japan

Kokubo dived to his right to keep out Umarali Rakhmanaliev's spot kick to give Japan its second under-23 title since 2016.

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