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Japan Times
SOCCER / World cup
Oct 20, 2022

Politics putting damper on World Cup fever in Brazil

Brazil's famous uniform has become politicized despite efforts by the Brazilian Football Confederation to keep the jersey apolitical.
Japan Times
SOCCER / J. League
Oct 18, 2022

Former Japan and Celtic legend Shunsuke Nakamura retires at 44

The spot-kick specialist made waves during his four years in Scotland, opening the door for dozens of Japanese players to follow in his footsteps to Europe.
Japan Times
WORLD
Oct 11, 2022

Fame no shield from 'frightening' Iran arrest wave

The list of those rounded up so far includes prominent athletes, artists, journalists, lawyers, activists and technology experts.
Japan Times
SOCCER / World cup
Oct 4, 2022

Several French cities to ban World Cup fan zones and giant screens

On Saturday, the leftist mayor of northern Lille said it would not show World Cup matches on giant screens to demonstrate its disapproval of the event being held in Qatar.
Japan Times
SOCCER / Women's World Cup
Sep 30, 2022

U.S. women to embrace 'adversity' at sold-out Wembley

It will be the first time the American women have played at Wembley since the Stars and Stripes won their fourth Olympic gold medal in 2012.
MORE SPORTS
Sep 4, 2022

Yuto Horigome eager to maintain skateboarding's post-Tokyo momentum

The street superstar made a special appearance ahead of FC Tokyo's J. League first-division game against Yokohama F. Marinos on Saturday.
BUSINESS / Companies
Sep 4, 2022

Japanese firms increasingly recruiting retired athletes for hiring needs

Under a program by Mos Burger's operator, former athletes learn about the basics of restaurant management and get on-the-job training in their first year after joining the company.
Japan Times
SOCCER / World cup
Aug 12, 2022

FIFA moves up start of World Cup to accommodate host Qatar

Soccer's top officials universally approved the decision, FIFA said in a statement, while Qatar said it would provide unspecified help to fans affected by the change.
Japan Times
SOCCER
Aug 2, 2022

Man City and Liverpool renew rivalry as PL clubs flex financial muscle

Reigning Premier League champion City hopes that Norwegian star Erling Haaland and a host of other top-tier signings will be enough to fend off a rising wave of challengers.
Japan Times
SOCCER
Aug 1, 2022

England coach says Lionesses' Euro 2022 triumph changed society

'I think this tournament has done so much for the game but also for society and women in society in England.'
Japan Times
SOCCER
Jul 19, 2022

Lionel Messi and other PSG stars draw thousands at Tokyo training

About 13,000 fans turned up at Tokyo's Prince Chichibu rugby ground to watch an open session, and were treated to an hour and a half of tricks and flicks from PSG's star attackers.
Japan Times
MORE SPORTS
Jul 12, 2022

Simone Biles inspires other stars to go public on mental health

Retired French soccer icon Thierry Henry and Irish rugby great Keith Earls are among a growing number of athletes willing to discuss their struggles.
Japan Times
SOCCER
Jul 12, 2022

European court opens hearing into whether UEFA can block Super League

The dispute over the alleged abuse of UEFA's dominant position is being heard by the European Court of Justice, with a decision expected in late 2022 or 2023.
BUSINESS / Tech
Jul 6, 2022

Failed ‘Captain Tsubasa’ NFT offers window into the risks of crypto

While Japan has not yet experienced a large NFT boom, some of the country's most famous pop culture staples have been appropriated for dubious 'Web3' products.
SOCCER / From the Spot
Jun 7, 2022

Spirited defense against Brazil offers Japan hope for success in Qatar

Monday's narrow loss showed the Samurai Blue's back line can endure against some of the world's best players, even if the team is still looking for a reliable attacking spark.
Japan Times
BASKETBALL / NBA
Jun 6, 2022

Celtics and Warriors add voices to calls for gun control laws

'We feel very strongly as a league that it is time for people to take notice and take part in what should be a nationwide effort to limit gun violence,' Warriors head coach Steve Kerr said.
Japan Times
SOCCER
May 31, 2022

France blames Liverpool, ticket fraud for Champions League trouble

French Sports Minister Amelie Oudea-Castera has commissioned a report into the trouble at the match, which was delayed by 35 minutes due to chaos outside Paris' Stade de France.
SOCCER / J. League / From the Spot
May 20, 2022

J. League taking slow, cautious steps to reintroduce cheering at games

Fans at select games will once again be allowed to sing — in limited numbers — as part of a plan unveiled this week.
SUMO / INSIDE SUMO
Apr 13, 2022

Prestigious University of Tokyo may claim its first sumo wrestler

Hotaka Suyama could become the school's first graduate to enter the world of u014dzumo when he takes the Japan Sumo Association's entrance exam.
Japan Times
SOCCER
Apr 6, 2022

Football Union of Russia withdraws appeal over FIFA ban

Russia's hopes of competing at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar were effectively ended after CAS rejected a request to freeze FIFA's suspension while the country's appeal was being heard.
Japan Times
SOCCER / World cup
Apr 5, 2022

Qatar will host a World Cup, but not as we know it

The tournament's first journey to West Asia brings with it unique challenges, including the need to accommodate millions of fans expected to descend on Doha in November.
SOCCER / World cup / From the Spot
Apr 3, 2022

Ultimate test awaits Samurai Blue after 'Group of Death' draw

While Japan will face a daunting challenge in a group featuring former World Cup champions Germany and Spain, the high-profile games may be exactly what the team needs.
SOCCER / World cup / From the Spot
Mar 25, 2022

Battle-tested Samurai Blue eager for deep World Cup push

After perhaps the most unconventional, daunting and frustrating qualifying campaign in team history, Samurai Blue have qualified for a seventh straight FIFA World Cup.
SOCCER
Mar 24, 2022

Sydney stunner: Late Kaoru Mitoma brace sends Japan to World Cup

Despite outshooting the Socceroos on a waterlogged Stadium Australia pitch, Hajime Moriyasu's men failed to make the most of their chances until substitute Mitoma's star turn.
Japan Times
SOCCER
Mar 22, 2022

Dutch coach Louis van Gaal criticizes hosting of World Cup in Qatar

Van Gaal said the world soccer governing body's reasons for awarding the finals to Qatar, where his team will be competing at the Nov. 21-Dec. 18 tournament, were spurious.
SOCCER / J. League / From the Spot
Mar 16, 2022

Departing chairman guided J. League through growth and turbulence

From a landmark broadcasting deal to the COVID-19 pandemic, Mitsuru Murai helped the league reach financial stability and gave it the tools to develop future homegrown talent.
Japan Times
PARALYMPICS
Mar 3, 2022

International Paralympic Committee will allow Russian and Belarusian athletes to compete at Beijing Games

A joint statement from the athletes of Ukraine and Global Athlete group, an international athlete-led body, said the IPC issued 'another blow' to every Ukrainian athlete and citizen.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Companies
Mar 1, 2022

More foreign firms pull out of Russia as assault on Ukraine continues

The list of those cutting ties or reviewing operations is growing by the hour as foreign governments ratchet up sanctions, close airspace and lock some banks out of financial systems.

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