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The Tokyo leg of Magical Mirai 2024, a gathering centered on a concert starring the aqua-haired Hatsune Miku and other avatars created by Sapporo-based company Crypton Future Media, kicked off on Aug. 30.
CULTURE / Music
Sep 9, 2024

Magical Mirai 2024 shows that the future is bright for Hatsune Miku

Thousands of visitors helped kick off the Tokyo leg of the gathering, which offers an immersive dive into every part of the aqua-haired anime avatar's world.
France forward Ousmane Dembele (right) shoots toward the goal during a UEFA Nations League match against Belgium in Lyon, France, on Monday.
SOCCER
Sep 10, 2024

France back to winning ways with 2-0 success against Belgium

The French had to weather early attacks by the visitors before settling into a rhythm and imposing themselves on the contest.
Japan's Koki Ogawa shoots at the Bahrain goal during a World Cup qualifying match in Riffa, Bahrain, on Tuesday.
SOCCER / World cup
Sep 11, 2024

Japan coach slams Bahrain fans after World Cup qualifying rout

Japan won 5-0 in Manama to continue their impressive start to the Asian qualifying third round, following last week's 7-0 home thrashing of China.
United manager Erik ten Hag directs his team during a match against Liverpool on Sept. 1.
SOCCER
Sep 13, 2024

United manager Erik Ten Hag responds to criticism from Cristiano Ronaldo

Ten Hag has said he is "quite confident" of claiming more silverware this campaign after lifting the League Cup and FA Cup over the past two seasons.
Urawa celebrates after winning the Asian Champions League final at Saitama Stadium on May 6, 2023.
SOCCER
Sep 15, 2024

New Asian Champions League format highlights quality over quantity

The tournament features a new format, trophy and logo as well as three times more cash for the new champion.
Liverpool manager Arne Slot reacts during his team's loss against Nottingham Forest at Anfield in Liverpool, England, on Saturday
SOCCER
Sep 15, 2024

Liverpool manager Arne Slot laments mistakes after upset loss to Nottingham Forest

Arne Slot got his first taste of defeat as Liverpool boss as his side lost 1-0 to Nottingham Forest in the Premier League on Saturday.
Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag says he still believes that English football's League Cup is a "significant" competition.
SOCCER
Sep 17, 2024

League Cup still 'significant' for United boss Ten Hag

Many leading English clubs regard the League Cup as an inconvenience that hampers their quest for more prestigious honors.
Brighton & Hove Albion's Kaoru Mitoma (left) in action with Arsenal's Ben White at Emirates Stadium in London on Aug. 31
SOCCER
Sep 17, 2024

Japanese players in vogue as British clubs widen horizons

"It feels like there is more interest in Japanese players from around the world," says Liverpool midfielder Wataru Endo.
Gwangju FC players celebrate after scoring a goal against Yokohama F. Marinos on Tuesday in Asian Champions League action.
SOCCER
Sep 18, 2024

Runner-up Yokohama F. Marinos thrashed in AFC Champions League goal fest

In other action, Buriram United of Thailand and Vissel Kobe played to a 0-0 stalemate.
The Ferrari of Charles Lecrerc, with a Shell logo placed prominently on the car's nose, during the Azerbaijan Grand Prix on Sunday.
MORE SPORTS
Sep 18, 2024

Energy companies have spent $5.6 billion on 'sportswashing': report

The report says soccer, auto racing, rugby and golf are the sports most sponsored by energy companies.
A game between the Indiana Fever and the Minnesota Lynx in Indianapolis earlier this month.
BASKETBALL
Sep 19, 2024

WNBA awards Portland expansion team that will start play in 2026

Portland will be the third expansion franchise the WNBA adds over the next two years with Golden State and Toronto having previously been awarded teams.
Tony Popovic, the newly appointed head coach of Australia's national soccer team, speaks during a news conference in Sydney on Monday.
SOCCER
Sep 24, 2024

New Socceroos coach Popovic confident he can rescue World Cup campaign

Australia's World Cup qualification is hanging in the balance, with a must-win home game against China on Oct. 10 before a tough away clash in Japan.
Manchester City's Rodri reacts after sustaining an injury during a match against Arsenal on Sunday.
SOCCER
Sep 24, 2024

Man City's Rodri 'out for season' after ACL injury

The 28-year-old limped off during City's 2-2 draw against Arsenal in the Premier League after going down holding his right knee.
Chelsea's Cole Palmer celebrates after scoring his third goal against Brighton & Hove Albion on Saturday in London.
SOCCER
Sep 29, 2024

Chelsea's Palmer has match to remember with four first-half goals

"I should have had five or six," Palmer told the BBC after becoming the first player to score four in the first half of a Premier League game.
Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone talks to fans after the club's match against Real Madrid was halted due to unruly fan behavior.
SOCCER
Sep 30, 2024

Atletico Madrid's Diego Simeone calls out instigators after fans disrupt match

Atletico fans threw objects toward visiting goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois.
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola addresses a news conference in Bratislava on Monday.
SOCCER
Oct 1, 2024

Guardiola promises strong City side in Slovan Champions League tie

Team will play without Rodri, who will miss the rest of the season after suffering a serious knee injury.
Kawasaki's Yu Kobayashi (right) battles for the ball during his team's 1-0 Asian Champions League Elite loss at home to Gwangju on Tuesday.
SOCCER
Oct 2, 2024

Gwangju downs Kawasaki to maintain perfect start in Asian Champions League

Gwangju followed up its 7-3 thrashing of Yokohama F. Marinos on the opening day with a gritty victory over Kawasaki.
Fans watch the Super Bowl at the FanDuel sportsbook in East Rutherford, New Jersey, in February 2019.
MORE SPORTS / Football
Oct 2, 2024

FanDuel sued by convicted NFL executive over gambling addiction

The complaint by Amit Patel, who was sentenced to 78 months behind bars in March, alleges that FanDuel ignored its own responsible gaming protocols.
Nike has been particularly criticized for failing to prioritize runners, one of its key markets.
BUSINESS / Companies
Oct 2, 2024

Nike seeks to wipe slate clean for new CEO and withdraws guidance

Investors are looking for the new CEO to rebuild Nike’s frayed relationships with retailers and staff who’ve lost faith in the company’s trajectory.
Anderson Lopes of Yokohama F. Marinos scores in an Asian Champions League clash against Ulsan HD at Nissan Stadium in Yokohama on Wednesday.
SOCCER
Oct 2, 2024

Marinos put ACL campaign back on track with Ulsan thrashing

"Scoring four goals and a clean sheet at home, I'm very happy and it's a good way to push on," said interim coach John Hutchinson.
Lille's Ayyoub Bouaddi celebrates with his teammates after their win over Real Madrid in the Champions League in Lille, France, on Wednesday.
SOCCER
Oct 3, 2024

Lille's Bruno Genesio celebrates perfect night after upset win over Read Madrid

Lille prevailed courtesy of a Jonathan David penalty in first-half stoppage time.
Ayami Sato is one of the best female players in baseball history.
BASEBALL
Oct 3, 2024

Japan great Ayami Sato helps shine light on women's baseball in new documentary

Ayami Sato has helped Japan win six straight Women's Baseball World Cup titles.
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani and his dog, Dekopin, who delivered the ceremonial first pitch prior to a game against the Orioles on Aug. 28
MORE SPORTS
Oct 6, 2024

The furry performance-enhancers that are sweeping the world of sports

Athletes from Shohei Ohtani to Naomi Osaka are using dogs to reduce stress and help enhance performance before and during high-stakes competitions.
Real Madrid's Kylian Mbappe (left) in action against Villarreal's Santi Comesana in Madrid on Saturday
SOCCER
Oct 8, 2024

Mbappe under fire for skipping France duty but playing for Real Madrid

"As a captain (Mbappe) must be an example for the fans, and he has not been," said a spokesperson for a France supporters' group.
Shonannoumi hits the dirt at the hands of Kotozakura during a bout in Tokyo in May. Shonannoumi is among the many top wrestlers who have dropped out of this month's regional tour due to injury.
SUMO / INSIDE SUMO
Oct 9, 2024

Spate of sumo tour dropouts highlights need to rethink wrestlers' health

While it would be foolish not to capitalize on sumo’s surging popularity, expanded tour schedules cut into recovery time and push wrestlers to their physical limits.
Japan's Daichi Kamada (right) vies for the ball against Saudi Arabia midfielder Abdulelah Al-Malki during their World Cup qualifying match in Jeddah on Thursday.
SOCCER
Oct 11, 2024

Japan looks to Australia and beyond after beating Saudi Arabia in World Cup qualifier

Samurai Blue are five points clear at the top of Group C, with the top two teams securing direct passage to the 2026 World Cup.
Capsule hotels were created as a way to deal with the amount of overwork employees tend to do in Japan. Can't commute home? Then spend the night in an tiny, affordable sleeping space.
BUSINESS / Tech / Longform
Oct 12, 2024

Japan wakes up to the market for a proper sleep

After years of sleep deficits and drowsy mornings, a growing number of products and services are being developed to help us rest easier.
New U.S. coach Mauricio Pochettino earned a win in his first game with the team.
SOCCER
Oct 13, 2024

Mauricio Pochettino instills new belief in U.S. team during win over Panama

The United States defeated Panama 2-0 in its first game under Pochettino.
Australia's Kye Rowles (right) vies for the ball against Argentina's Lionel Messi during a friendly in Beijing on June 15, 2023.
SOCCER
Oct 14, 2024

Australia looking to 'flip the script' with first win in Japan

Japan is the leading team in Asia at 16th in the FIFA rankings and tops qualifying Group C with a perfect three victories, scoring 14 goals and conceding none.
Germany's Jamie Leweling (left) in action with the Netherlands' Ryan Gravenberch in Munich on Monday
SOCCER
Oct 15, 2024

Germany advances as Leweling debut goal secures 1-0 win over Dutch

The Germans had the visitors on the back foot from the start.

Longform

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