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SOCCER / J. League
Feb 25, 2020

Amid COVID-19 outbreak, J. League postpones all matches until March 15

The J. League on Tuesday announced the postponement of all four of its competitions as the COVID-19 outbreak continued to have wide-reaching effects on the sports world.
SOCCER / J. League
Feb 19, 2020

Squads, not stars, could define J. League's 2020 season

In its chosen hashtag for the season (#2020の主役は誰だ), the J. League literally asks "who will play the lead role in 2020?"
Japan Times
SOCCER / From the Spot
Feb 7, 2020

VAR and contact guidelines will change look of J. League officiating

Under normal circumstances, the Japan Football Association would prefer that its referees be conductors, blending into the background and occasionally providing a guiding whistle as the players take center stage.
Japan Times
SOCCER / From the Spot
Jan 8, 2020

National Stadium less than sum of its parts

The new National Stadium is open for business, having survived a December opening gala featuring J-pop icons Arashi and the 2019 Emperor's Cup final with a number of online grumbles but few out-and-out disasters.
JAPAN / Outlook 2020
Jan 2, 2020

Japan's pressing regional affairs to unfold quietly in shadow of Olympics

This year, all attention will turn to the 2020 Olympics, with politicians, business leaders and the media talking about how to ensure its success, what it means for Japan domestically and internationally and how to avert a post-Olympic economic slump.
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.
SUMO / INSIDE SUMO
Dec 18, 2019

Hakuho more than deserving of special elder status

When you think of sumo, what's the first word that comes to mind?
Japan Times
OLYMPICS
Dec 15, 2019

National Stadium ready for Olympics

The newly built National Stadium, which will serve as the main venue for next summer's Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games, was unveiled on Sunday.
SOCCER / From the Spot
Dec 11, 2019

Celebs hog spotlight at subpar J. League gala

Sunday's J. League Awards should have been an opportunity for the league and its promotional team to take a victory lap after a 2019 season that shattered attendance records and drew unprecedented interest from overseas.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Music
Oct 15, 2019

A boy no longer, 'Kid' Reid has come of age

Duncan Reid, formerly of British punk group The Boys, brings his latest band to Japan for a series of high-energy live shows
Japan Times
Rugby
Sep 19, 2019

Japan set to welcome the world for opening of 2019 Rugby World Cup

Blood, sweat and tears will be shed over the next six weeks as 20 teams fight for the 2019 Rugby World Cup in 12 stadiums across Japan, which will become the first Asian nation to host the tournament after an opening ceremony Friday kicks off the ninth iteration of the sport's quadrennial showcase.
Japan Times
SOCCER / From the Spot
Sep 18, 2019

Thai star drives J. League's popularity abroad

After seven years of hard work, the J. League's vaunted "Asian Strategy" has resulted in some significant successes.
Japan Times
BASKETBALL
Sep 2, 2019

Turkish media speak of country's sporting affection for Japan

Japan's men's basketball team was completely tamed by Turkey in Sunday's FIBA World Cup contest. The Europeans bewildered the Akatsuki Five on both ends of the court and wound up earning the important "W" with a 86-67 score at Shanghai Oriental Sports Center.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Our Lives / TELLING LIVES
Aug 28, 2019

It takes a village to raise an Olympic hopeful

Deborah Grow reflects on her journey as a 'judo mom' and her son Sanshiro's dream to become an Olympian.
Japan Times
SUMO / INSIDE SUMO
Aug 21, 2019

Sumo shows offer new life for retired rikishi

Sumo is an all-enveloping lifestyle.
Japan Times
Rugby / Coach's Eye
Aug 16, 2019

Visit to Japan a good chance to experience new culture

The England team and I will leave for Japan to start our Rugby World Cup campaign on Sept. 8. We'll arrive just short of two weeks before our first game, against Tonga.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Issues / THE FOREIGN ELEMENT
Jul 18, 2019

The inclusivity of quidditch produces pure magic on the field

The players kneel at the ready, six to a side, staring down their opponents from across a verdant field.

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