Basketball Jan 24, 2021
Japan's remaining Asia Cup qualifiers relocated to Doha
by Kaz Nagatsuka
The Akatsuki Five will play the rest of their Group B games in a bio-secure "bubble" due in part to the ongoing state of emergency in the Tokyo area.
Basketball Dec 11, 2020
Japan to host Akatsuki Five's remaining Asia Cup qualifiers
by Kaz Nagatsuka
Japan, Taiwan, China and Malaysia will play 10 games over a five-day period after most of this year's qualifiers were scrapped due to the pandemic.
Basketball Nov 28, 2020
Pandemic throws wrench in Japan's plans on basketball court
by Kaz Nagatsuka
After the one-year postponement of the Tokyo Olympics was announced in March, Japan’s men’s national basketball team had hoped to use the extra time to further its development.
Basketball Nov 19, 2020
Akatsuki Five gets back to work amid pandemic
by Kaz Nagatsuka
Japan’s men’s national basketball team hasn’t been able to carry out any team activities since February due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Basketball Nov 10, 2020
Japan women's coach Tom Hovasse looks to unearth new talent at camp
by Kaz Nagatsuka
The Akatsuki Five's first meeting in nine months offers the American coach a look at players who might not have made his Olympic roster if the games had taken place as scheduled.
Basketball Feb 25, 2020
Ryan Rossiter, Kosuke Kanamaru provide big boost in Japan's rout of Taiwan
by Kaz Nagatsuka
National team debutant Ryan Rossiter and sharpshooter Kosuke Kanamaru provided stellar performances in Monday’s 96-57 win over Taiwan, and perhaps showcased new dimensions for the Akatsuki Five during the 2021 FIBA Asia Cup qualifier. Rossiter, who become a naturalized citizen in December, racked up 17 ...
Basketball Feb 20, 2020
Ryan Rossiter making case for spot on Japan squad
by Kaz Nagatsuka
In preparation for its first game in 2020, the provisional Japan men's national team has been practicing in a series of training camps at Tokyo's National Training Center since the beginning of the month. Japan will face Taiwan in a qualifier for next year's Asia ...
Basketball / B. League Feb 14, 2020
B-Corsairs rookie Raita Akaho follows in family's footsteps on basketball court
by Kaz Nagatsuka
With a somewhat unusual last name, it's perhaps a little difficult for Raita Akaho to not be noticed that he's from a distinguished basketball family. Naturally, he carries high expectations and pressure on his shoulders. But Akaho insists he is who he is, considering himself just ...
Basketball Jan 28, 2020
Japan coach Julio Lamas outlines goals for team before upcoming Asia Cup qualifiers
by Kaz Nagatsuka
Japan men's national team head coach Julio Lamas said that it wasn't a surprise that his team didn't play as well as it had hoped to at last year's FIBA World Cup. Instead, he insisted that development takes place on a day-by-day pace. That said, the ...
Basketball Jan 23, 2020
Yuka Osaki hopes to secure a spot on Japan national team after becoming a mother
by Kaz Nagatsuka
Just over a year after giving birth to her first child, Yuka Osaki decided to return to the court with the goal of representing her home country at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. The provisional Japan women's national team is currently holding a training camp at ...
Basketball Jan 12, 2020
Shibuya captain Leo Vendrame hopes Emperor's Cup can lead to team's first-ever B. League crown
by Kaz Nagatsuka
After achieving one of their goals for this season, the Sunrockers Shibuya are now moving on to shoot for the second: the B. League championship. After capturing the team's second All-Japan Championship title with a 78-73 win over the Kawasaki Brave Thunders at Saitama Super ...
Olympics | New Year's Special Dec 31, 2019
Forecasting Japan's top medal hopefuls for 2020 Games
by Kaz Nagatsuka
Japan's Olympians intend to take the nation by storm with their best-ever results at the 2020 Tokyo Games this summer. The Japanese Olympic Committee has hammered out a goal of 30 gold medals, nearly doubling its previous record, at the world's biggest sporting extravaganza. The ...