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SUMO
Jan 7, 2022

Terunofuji enters New Year Basho with few serious challengers to throne

Anything other than a third straight championship for the Isegahama stable man at the upcoming January tournament would be a surprise.
SUMO / INSIDE SUMO
Dec 16, 2021

Terunofuji's rise was among defining moments of eventful year in sumo

The past 12 months have been extremely challenging both inside and outside the ring, but sumo's highest highs and lowest lows of 2021 all occurred on the clay.
SUMO / INSIDE SUMO
Dec 1, 2021

Much more to come from yokozuna Terunofuji after stunning 2021

Just years removed from the unpaid ranks, the 30-year-old is on the path to becoming one of the most successful foreign-born grand champions in the sport's history.
Japan Times
MORE SPORTS
Nov 28, 2021

Women's Cricket World Cup qualifiers canceled due to COVID-19 concerns

The move was taken by cricket's governing body after the spread of the new Omicron variant resulted in tightened border controls targeting qualifier host Zimbabwe and its neighbors.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Our Lives / 20 QUESTIONS
Nov 28, 2021

Jayne Nakata: 'In life the hard things are the things that give you the most chance to grow'

Finding herself in a part of Japan where there weren't so many foreign women, Jayne Nakata decided to reach out through podcasting.
SOCCER / J. League / From the Spot
Nov 25, 2021

FC Tokyo's long-awaited change arrives as Mixi takeover announced

Monday's long-telegraphed announcement that digital media giant Mixi will assume ownership of FC Tokyo signaled the start of a new era for the capital club.
SUMO / INSIDE SUMO
Nov 10, 2021

Despite sluggish attendance, Kyushu Basho boasts overwhelming charm

After a two-year absence, the return of professional sumo to Fukuoka offers a chance to reassess the grand tournament schedule's most unique host.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC
Oct 14, 2021

Once free of COVID-19, New Zealand prepares for 5,000 cases a week

While the virus raged abroad, most Kiwis continued life relatively undisturbed by the pandemic — until the delta variant arrived.
SOCCER / J. League
Sep 26, 2021

Love for hometown soccer club inspires PM hopeful Taro Kono

The LDP leadership candidate took an active role in the development of J. League side Shonan Bellmare, winning his own fans on the way.
Japan Times
SUMO / INSIDE SUMO
Sep 15, 2021

Lack of international streaming options hampers sumo's growth

While the Japan Sumo Association has made some progress on its online offerings, fans' inability to watch the sport overseas is a wasted opportunity for the sport to expand its audience.
Japan Times
PARALYMPICS
Sep 6, 2021

Why Ukraine’s small Paralympic team packed such a big punch

Ukraine has been one of the top six countries in the medal count at nine consecutive Paralympic Games, summer and winter.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Society / Longform
Aug 30, 2021

Behind the push to improve universal access in Japan

Steps have been taken to create barrier-free facilities ahead of the 2020 Tokyo Games. But now that the Paralympics have begun, who is going to ensure such groundbreaking efforts continue?
Japan Times
PARALYMPICS
Aug 27, 2021

When Paralympians need repairs, help is around the corner

Ottobock has been a Paralympic partner since 1988 and the ultimate goal is to keep the athletes on the field.
Japan Times
PARALYMPICS / FOCUS
Aug 17, 2021

Virus surge in Japan overshadows excitement ahead of the Paralympics

Athletes and officials are caught between worries over COVID-19 and their belief in what the Paralympics can do for inclusiveness and disability sports.
Japan Times
OLYMPICS
Aug 8, 2021

A memorable Olympics, but for the right reasons?

A feat of organizational planning and execution in a pandemic left even gold medalists hurrying home from an atmosphere drained of pomp and full of anxiety.
LIFE / Language / BILINGUAL
Aug 6, 2021

Using Japanese to discuss victory and defeat at the Tokyo Olympics

It's not accurate to say that anyone who doesn't medal at the Olympics is a loser, but the language of winning and losing is very much a part of Japanese.
MULTIMEDIA
Jul 29, 2021

In pictures: Day 5 of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics

Anna Kiesenhofer of Austria celebrates winning gold in the woen's road race on Sunday. | POOL / VIA REUTERS
Japan Times
OLYMPICS
Jul 29, 2021

Medals on, masks off

The pandemic has changed the way Olympians receive their medals. But in the rush of elation, coronavirus rules and social distancing policies are routinely forgotten.
Japan Times
OLYMPICS
Jul 27, 2021

Russia is banned, yet it’s everywhere at the Games

A doping punishment changes a country's official name but little else about its Olympic experience.
Japan Times
CULTURE
Jul 26, 2021

Biracial representation, game soundtracks and shiny pecs: bright moments at a somber Olympic opening

The program lacked the over-the-top glitz originally planned, but still served some memorable scenes, with pantomime performers and Naomi Osaka stealing the show.
Japan Times
OLYMPICS
Jul 25, 2021

Tokyo Games showcase the changing face of sports in Japan

From Naomi Osaka to Rui Hachimura, a generation of biracial athletes in the Olympics are helping shift perceptions of what it means to be 'Japanese.'
Japan Times
JAPAN
Jul 24, 2021

Olympic deluge? Tropical Storm Nepartak threatens to disrupt Tokyo Games

A tropical storm approaching Japan's main island of Honshu is already throwing a wrench into the Olympic schedule, with rowing events planned for early next week being moved up.
OLYMPICS / Faces of Tokyo 2020
Jul 23, 2021

Japanese athletes who have overcome adversity to be at the Tokyo Games

The miraculous return of Rikako Ikee might grab headlines, but the country's swimming star isn't the only athlete who needed to battle tough times to qualify for the Games.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Jul 16, 2021

Tokyo's neighbors brace for fallout as cases rise in the capital

Kanagawa Prefecture — which logged 403 cases on Thursday, its highest tally since late January — is considering requesting a state of emergency, and Chiba Prefecture may do the same.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Science & Health
Jul 15, 2021

Risk of COVID-19 spread due to Olympics is 'zero,' IOC chief says, amid rising cases

Critics of the plan to hold the Tokyo Olympics submitted a petition on Thursday that has garnered more than 450,000 signatures this month.
Japan Times
MORE SPORTS
Jul 13, 2021

Female duo envision brighter future for women in football in Japan

A small number of women working in football are playing significant roles since returning to their school teams after graduation.
JAPAN
Jul 5, 2021

Transport to pandemic Olympics proves logistics nightmare

Forget about medal tallies and post-race parties. Just getting to Japan on time is half the battle.

Longform

Visitors walk past Sou Fujimoto's Grand Ring, which has been recognized as the largest wooden structure in the world.
Can a World Expo still matter? Japan is about to find out.