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SUMO / INSIDE SUMO
Apr 28, 2021

Sumo's living history traced through its banzuke

The ranking sheets, which have been produced since the 18th century, serve not only as keepsakes but as snapshots of the sport's changes over time.
Japan Times
MORE SPORTS
Apr 13, 2021

Ready or not, Hideki Matsuyama is now a national hero in Japan

With his dramatic win at the Masters, the glare of fame will be inescapable for the 29-year-old, who has preferred to focus on improving his game.
SUMO
Mar 12, 2021

Hakuho eyes makuuchi milestone while Asanoyama seeks chance of promotion at Spring Basho

The tournament, which was relocated from Osaka to Tokyo to reduce the risk of COVID-19 infections, will be the first to feature a yokozuna since July.
Japan Times
TENNIS
Mar 12, 2021

ATP chief optimistic about life after 'Big Three'

Losing the best three players of all time would be a massive blow to any sport, but ATP chief Andrea Gaudenzi says tennis is strong enough to thrive after Roger Federer, Rafa Nadal and Novak Djokovic hang up their rackets.
Japan Times
BASKETBALL / B. League
Feb 10, 2021

Diamond Dolphins join effort to fight climate change through sports

The B. League club is the first from Japan to sign on to the United Nations initiative, joining a number of top organizations and teams including FIFA and the New York Yankees.
SUMO / INSIDE SUMO
Feb 10, 2021

Spring Basho's Tokyo relocation a loss for Kansai-area sumo fans

Even though the March tournament will go ahead this year, the fact that it will be in Tokyo rather than Osaka means the annual event will be missing some of its trademarks.
MORE SPORTS
Dec 10, 2020

Kanoa Igarashi poised to ride wave of momentum into Tokyo Olympics

The Japanese surfer and Olympic medal hopeful was preparing for the biggest year of his life when 2020 decided it had other plans.
SUMO
Nov 5, 2020

Healthy yokozuna Hakuho looks ready to reclaim throne

The Miyagino stable man is in position to extend his championship record and pick up an incredible 45th Emperor's Cup.
SUMO / INSIDE SUMO
Sep 30, 2020

JSA pulls off another successful tournament in COVID-19 era

After managing a second basho with fans at Ryogoku Kokugikan, the Japan Sumo Association still faces a number of challenges going forward.
SUMO / INSIDE SUMO
Sep 16, 2020

Are ozeki Asanoyama's struggles all in his head?

Called out by former yokozuna Asashoryu after a poor start to the Autumn Basho, the highly anticipated ozeki needs to clear his mind in order to reach sumo's top level.
SUMO / INSIDE SUMO
Jul 1, 2020

Heart by far most important factor toward achieving success in grueling world of sumo

In a sport where bouts are over in a matter of seconds, any kind of doubt or hesitation inevitably leads to a loss.
SOCCER / Women's World Cup / From the Spot
Jun 23, 2020

Japan must build foundation for women's game after withdrawing bid

The Japan Football Association has lost its easy route to building momentum for the sport after dropping out of contention for the 2023 World Cup.
SOCCER / From the Spot
Jun 5, 2020

JFA's vision for new pro women's league ambitious, but Women's World Cup bid remains pragmatic

The WE League has the right message, but delivering on its promises for the sport will take more than a slogan.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Feb 29, 2020

A letter to Lionel Messi: Stop, please!

The great soccer player and humanitarian is making it hard on writers to come with new ways to compliment him.
SUMO / INSIDE SUMO
Dec 25, 2019

JSA needs to look outward for good of sumo

Whatever hopes fans had for a peaceful end to the year were dashed when Japan Sumo Association officials instructed Takagenji to take part in his regularly scheduled bout on Dec. 11 despite the wrestler being diagnosed with influenza earlier in the day.
Japan Times
SUMO / INSIDE SUMO
Dec 11, 2019

Joining sumo no easy task for foreign rikishi hopefuls

For young men with Japanese nationality, joining sumo can be as easy as knocking on a stable door, sending an email, or picking up the phone.
SUMO / Rikishi Files
Nov 23, 2019

Terunofuji endured tough times to get back on track

On a day when yokozuna Hakuho all but sealed his 43rd Emperor's Cup, the biggest news out of Fukuoka concerned a man in sumo's third division.
SUMO
Nov 7, 2019

Emperor's Cup race looks wide open at Kyushu Basho

Although he retired a quarter century ago and made just 18 appearances for Nagoya Grampus Eight, Gary Lineker remains one of the names most closely associated with Japanese soccer among foreign fans.
Japan Times
Rugby
Nov 3, 2019

Fans sad to say farewell as Rugby World Cup ends

Pride, sadness and hope were in the air as thousands of mostly Japanese fans watched the final Rugby World Cup match.
Japan Times
Rugby
Oct 29, 2019

Johnny Wilkinson, Bryan Habana show kids how it is done

The 2019 Rugby World Cup has been electrified by inspirational performances of the Japan national team, which made the knockout stage for the first time at the quadrennial tournament.
EDITORIALS
Oct 15, 2019

Brave Blossoms step up their game

The Brave Blossoms' performance is a sign of the opportunities that await and the advantages to be won if Japan does more to embrace foreigners and give them a chance to contribute.
SUMO / INSIDE SUMO
Oct 2, 2019

Naturalized Sokokurai fought for JSA return

One of the more interesting bits of news over the past month was the announcement that Arashio stable veteran Sokokurai had acquired Japanese nationality.

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