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Japan Times
OLYMPICS
Feb 8, 2022

China gushes over Su Yiming and Eileen Gu, but Zhu Yi mocking rolls on

The 19-year-old fell on the ice and finished last, triggering a fierce backlash on Chinese social media that critiqued her performance.
OLYMPICS
Feb 6, 2022

Meet the 'fanyus,' the passionate yet chaotic force behind Yuzuru Hanyu

The two-time Olympic champion's fandom, which spans borders, cultures and generations, is one of figure skating's most passionate — and polarizing.
Japan Times
OLYMPICS
Jan 23, 2022

Indian skier Arif Khan ready for date with destiny in Beijing

The alpine skier is India's sole representative at the Games, and his path to the Olympics from the snowy slopes of conflict-ridden Kashmir was far from straightforward.
Japan Times
MORE SPORTS
Jan 18, 2022

Yao Ming says he and Peng Shuai 'chatted merrily' at event last month

The former NBA star did not comment on the controversy that flared up last year after Peng appeared to allege that a former vice premier had sexually assaulted her in the past.
Japan Times
SOCCER
Jan 12, 2022

Saudi-hosted Spanish Super Cup sparks debate as fans 'forgotten'

The issue of Saudi Arabia's human rights record has been discussed widely since the Spanish FA signed a lucrative contract with the West Asian nation through 2029.
JAPAN
Dec 24, 2021

Japan not planning to send senior officials to Beijing Olympics

In an attempt to strike a diplomatic balance in its relationships with both the U.S. and China, only Olympic officials will represent Japan at the Winter Games.
SUMO / INSIDE SUMO
Dec 22, 2021

Sumo's 2022 storylines promise spectacle, but persistent COVID measures loom

Terunofuji's dominance is unlikely to be seriously challenged in 2022, but given his age and injury history it's possible we could start to see pretenders to his throne.
Japan Times
TENNIS
Dec 20, 2021

China tennis star Peng Shuai denies she made sexual assault accusation

Peng's remarks on Sunday marked the first time she had addressed the matter on camera in public.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Dec 16, 2021

Should Tokyo boycott the Beijing Olympic Games?

The Japanese government reportedly will refrain from sending a Cabinet minister to the Winter Olympics in Beijing. But that decision has yet to be reached.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Dec 8, 2021

Japan faces delicate balance over Beijing Olympics boycott

Tokyo is reportedly looking to send lower-level officials to the Winter Olympics, a far cry from when then-Prime Minister Shinzo Abe traveled to the Pyeongchang Games in 2018.
Japan Times
SOCCER
Dec 8, 2021

MLS boss calls Las Vegas the 'frontrunner' for expansion

The support the city has shown for expansion teams in other leagues is a big reason why MLS Commissioner Don Garber is optimistic about Sin City's prospects.
Japan Times
OLYMPICS
Dec 7, 2021

Four-time hockey medalist happy U.S. athletes can compete in Beijing

Angela Ruggiero, who won gold for the United States in 1998 and later served as a member of the IOC, said it was important that athletes were not penalized for politics.
Japan Times
Figure Skating
Nov 30, 2021

Doubts emerge over Grand Prix final after Japan shuts borders

Both the Japan Skating Federation and the Japan Sports Agency said they did not know what the rules would be for foreigners scheduled to compete in the Dec. 9-12 event in Osaka.
Japan Times
Special Supplements
Nov 30, 2021

Endo Manufacturing forges ahead in Japan’s golf world and beyond

Masaki Sukegawa has been crafting golf clubs for more than 18 years in his workshop at Endo Manufacturing Co. It’s his job to turn lumps of metal into master models for clubheads used by some of the world’s top professional golfers, as well as weekend duffers. 
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.
Japan Times
LIFE / Travel / Longform
Nov 15, 2021

Ticket to ride: Shizuoka Prefecture shifts gear on turning Izu Peninsula into Japan’s cycling mecca

Despite its relatively small land mass, the peninsula is replete with a plethora of natural, cultural and historical attractions
Japan Times
MORE SPORTS
Nov 10, 2021

Aaron Rodgers admits he 'misled' people about his vaccine status

Days after he tested positive, the former Super Bowl champion defiantly told 'The Pat McAfee Show' that he had not lied, but returned to the program on Tuesday to clarify his comments.
Japan Times
TENNIS
Nov 4, 2021

Chinese tennis star Peng Shuai says former vice premier forced her into sex

Former world No.1 tennis doubles player Peng Shuai, one of China's biggest sports stars, has publicly accused a former Chinese vice premier of forcing her into sex several years ago in a social media post that was later deleted.
Japan Times
MORE SPORTS
Oct 30, 2021

South Korea slowly beginning to embrace esports

Despite the growing international status and interest among prospective professional players, government support for the esports industry has been lackluster.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC
Oct 27, 2021

Beijing marks 100 days to Winter Olympics amid COVID-19 and rights concerns

Beijing is promising a 'simple and safe' 2022 Games — although preparations are anything but simple as China battles COVID-19 flare-ups and calls from human rights groups for a boycott.
Japan Times
TENNIS
Oct 19, 2021

Host state won't cut deal with unvaccinated Australian Open players

Victoria's premier suggested that the state's vaccine mandate covers international athletes, who would be required to complete their inoculations ahead of the tournament in January.
Japan Times
BASKETBALL / NBA
Oct 13, 2021

Nets bar Kyrie Irving from all games until he’s vaccinated

The barring of Irving complicates what looked like a surefire path to the finals for the Nets and could set up a battle with the players' union.
The volunteer lifesavers of Nishihama Surf Lifesaving Club never know what's in store at the start of their day.
JAPAN / Society / Longform
Aug 19, 2024

It's no simple day at the beach for Japan's volunteer lifesavers

Protecting beachgoers from drowning, heatstroke and possible tsunami, lifesavers are seeking formal recognition for what they do.
Rudy Garcia-Tolson (left) at the London Paralympics in September 2012. The American swimmer got a tattoo of the Olympic rings after first competing at the 2004 Athens Paralympics.
PARALYMPICS
Aug 25, 2024

Paralympics will drop ban on Olympic rings tattoos

Days before the start of the Paralympics, the IPC has suddenly, and without obvious explanation, reversed course on a rule that had banned tattoos of the Olympic rings.
Students sit under a misting system during recess at Hikarigaoka Haru no Kaze Elementary School in Nerima Ward, Tokyo, on Sept. 6.
JAPAN / Society / Boiling Point
Sep 16, 2024

Japan’s schools battle to keep kids cool, with or without AC

With extreme heat affecting both health and study, schools are racing to plug AC gaps while experimenting with creative, cheaper solutions.
Phillies players celebrate after a win over the Marlins in Miami earlier this month.
BASEBALL / MLB
Sep 18, 2024

DraftKings sued by MLB Players Union for using names and images

Revenue has expanded at DraftKings as it attracted more loyal bettors, even as it faced increased competition from online peers and legacy casinos.
Fluminense and Al Ahly players line up prior to a FIFA Club World Cup match in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, last year
SOCCER
Sep 25, 2024

LGBTQ fans welcome in Saudi Arabia, 2034 World Cup bid chief says

In August, Amnesty International said Saudi Arabia failed to meet FIFA’s own human rights requirements in their bid for the World Cup.
Shohei Ohtani rounds the bases after hitting a solo home run against the Mets in Game 4 of the NLCS in New York on Thursday.
BASEBALL / MLB
Oct 18, 2024

Shohei Ohtani making major impact on viewership numbers during MLB playoffs

Game 5 of the NLDS between the Dodgers and the San Diego Padres was the most-watched MLB postseason game ever in Japan.

Longform

Bear attacks have dominated Japanese news headlines in recent months, with 13 people so far having been killed by the animals.
Japan’s bears have been on their killing spree for more than 100 years