Tag - samurai-blue

 
Menu
Search
 
October 21, 2025
 

Today's print edition

Home Delivery
Subscribe for more access

SAMURAI BLUE

Japan's Ayase Ueda (center) scores the winning goal against Brazil at Ajinomoto Stadium in Tokyo on Tuesday.
SOCCER
Oct 15, 2025
Japan’s downing of Brazil puts world on notice
The turnaround was reminiscent of wins against major soccer forces at the previous World Cup in Qatar.
Japan's national team poses for a group photo after beating Brazil at Ajinomoto Stadium in Tokyo on Tuesday.
SOCCER
Oct 14, 2025
Japan beats Brazil for first time in chaotic comeback win
In a match marked by defensive breakdowns on both sides, Samurai Blue was able to overturn a two-goal deficit and extend its home unbeaten streak to 21 games.
Japan head coach Hajime Moriyasu speaks at a news conference in Tokyo on Monday ahead of a game against Brazil the following day.
SOCCER
Oct 13, 2025
Moriyasu aiming for a result against Brazil
Japan has never beaten Brazil, but the Samurai Blue head coach says, "Our own players are now competing on the European stage, and we want to go toe-to-toe."
Koki Ogawa scores during Samurai Blue's friendly against Paraguay at Panasonic Stadium in Suita, Osaka Prefecture, on Friday.
SOCCER
Oct 11, 2025
Samurai Blue coach hails strikers after rescuing Paraguay draw
Paraguay defended doggedly throughout and Moriyasu was happy that his center-forwards were able to find a way through.
American forward Alejandro Zendejas fights for the ball with Japanese forward Daizen Maeda during a friendly in Columbus, Ohio, on Tuesday.
SOCCER
Sep 10, 2025
Zendejas and Balogun lift U.S. over Samurai Blue in friendly
After a scoreless draw against Mexico on the weekend, Japan goalkeeper Keisuke Osako made nine saves as his team again failed to get on the scoreboard.
Mexican defender Jorge Sanchez battles for the ball with Japan's midfielder Kaoru Mitoma during a friendly in Oakland, California, on Saturday.
SOCCER
Sep 7, 2025
Japan and Mexico play to goalless draw as World Cup preparations ramp up
A lively Japanese side could not break through against a Mexico team that lost captain Edson Alvarez when he hobbled out with an injury in the first half.
Brazil's Neymar (left) in action with Japan's Yuta Nakayama during a friendly game at National Stadium in Tokyo on June 6, 2022
SOCCER
Aug 27, 2025
Brazil to face Japan and South Korea in October friendlies
The five-time world champions will face Japan in Tokyo on Oct. 14 after playing South Korea in Seoul on Oct. 10..
Kaoru Mitoma celebrates scoring Brighton's second goal against Chelsea in the fourth round of the FA Cup on Feb. 8.
SOCCER
Aug 12, 2025
Kaoru Mitoma looks to build on Premier League success with Brighton
No Japanese player will be more essential for their team’s Premier League ambitions than Kaoru Mitoma.
Kunishige Kamamoto waves after a match commemorating his retirement in Tokyo in 1984.
SOCCER
Aug 10, 2025
Japanese soccer legend Kunishige Kamamoto dies at 81
Kamamoto scored a record 75 goals for the national team and was widely considered the greatest striker in Japanese soccer history.
Japan's Daichi Kamada (right) dribbles the ball against Indonesia during the World Cup qualifying match at Panasonic Stadium Suita in Osaka Prefecture on Tuesday
SOCCER
Jun 11, 2025
Japan and South Korea celebrate World Cup qualification with big wins
Japan romped to a 6-0 thrashing of Patrick Kluivert's Indonesia in Osaka.
Japan's head coach Hajime Moriyasu (left) reacts after the loss against Australia in Perth on Thursday.
SOCCER
Jun 6, 2025
Moriyasu mourns end of unbeaten run after loss to Australia
"It ended up being an extremely frustrating and disappointing result," Moriyasu told reporters.
Australia's Milos Degenek celebrates after qualifying for the knockout stages of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar on Nov. 30, 2022
SOCCER
Jun 4, 2025
Australia targets easier World Cup path ahead of Japan clash
If Australia does beat Samurai Blue on Thursday, it still faces a long wait to confirm whether a berth has been secured for a sixth straight World Cup finals.
Australia coach Tony Popovic (right) before the World Cup qualifying match against Japan at Saitama Stadium on Oct. 15
SOCCER
Jun 2, 2025
Australia faces 'best team in Asia' Japan in quest for World Cup berth
"To be the best we have to beat the best and they clearly are," said Australia coach Tony Popovic.
Japan's Takefusa Kubo competes for the ball with Luca de la Torre of the U.S. during a friendly in September 2022 in Dusseldorf, Germany.
SOCCER
May 14, 2025
U.S. to take on Japan in World Cup warmup
On Sept. 9, the Americans will play Japan at the home of the Columbus Crew in Ohio.
Saudi fans cheer during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Asia zone qualifiers group C match between Saudi Arabia and China in Riyadh on Thursday.
SOCCER
Mar 25, 2025
Renard expecting no letup from Japan as Saudis eye World Cup spot
The Saudis picked up their first win in five qualifiers when they beat China 1-0 at home last week.
Japan head coach Hajime Moriyasu gives a speech after his team clinched a spot in the 2026 World Cup with a win over Bahrain on Thursday in Saitama.
SOCCER / World cup
Mar 23, 2025
Japan's quiet World Cup celebrations show it is hungry for much more
Samurai Blue celebrated its qualification for the World Cup with victory speeches and a water shower for coach Hajime Moriyasu. But this squad has much bigger aims.
Japan's Takefusa Kubo celebrates after scoring against Bahrain during their World Cup qualifier in Saitama on Thursday.
SOCCER
Mar 21, 2025
Samurai Blue becomes first nation to secure World Cup berth
It will be Japan's eighth straight World Cup appearance.
Wataru Endo speaks during a news conference in Paris earlier this month.
SOCCER / World cup
Mar 20, 2025
Endo says Japan won't be satisfied just to reach World Cup
Samurai Blue have been dominant in qualifying and can book their spot at the 2026 finals if they beat Bahrain in Saitama.
Hidemasa Morita (right) celebrates scoring Japan’s fourth goal against Bahrain with Kaoru Mitoma (center) on Sep. 10, 2024.
SOCCER
Mar 18, 2025
Japan set to seal World Cup spot as Son aims to forget Spurs woes
Japan will seal its spot with three qualifying matches to go if, as expected, it beats Bahrain at home in Saitama on Thursday.
Stuttgart's Anrie Chase applauds the fans after a match against Bayer Leverkusen on Nov. 1.
SOCCER
Dec 29, 2024
How Anrie Chase went from a Fukushima high school to playing against Real Madrid
Just three years ago, the Stuttgart defender was still playing for Shoshi High School in Koriyama. Now he's competing against the likes of Kylian Mbappe.
Why I chose Japanese citizenship over permanent residency
Jon Heese (second left) takes part in a 2024 New Year's nihonshu barrel opening ceremony.
Path clears for Takaichi to become PM as LDP and JIP agree to form coalition
Liberal Democratic Party President Sanae Takaichi (right) reaches out to shake hands with Japan Innovation Party leader Hirofumi Yoshimura after signing a coalition deal Monday evening in Tokyo.
EV battery race heats up among Japanese automakers
Japanese EV production is focusing on batteries as automakers compete for the lightest, most durable models and the longest driving range.
LDP and Nippon Ishin no Kai to form coalition government, report says
The ruling Liberal Democratic Party and Nippon Ishin no Kai have agreed to form a coalition, paving the way for the country's first female prime minister, Kyodo reports.
Suntory and Sapporo to halt gift beer sales after cyberattack against Asahi
Suntory will gradually suspend the sale of 13 beer sets for winter gifts, including a set of Chinese zodiac-themed cans of The Premium Malt's.
Japan leads in in-depth AI awareness, new global study finds
In Japan, 55% were “equally concerned and excited” about the rise of AI in daily life, while 28% were “more concerned than excited.”
What does Jimbocho think of its unexpected ‘cool’ status?
Tokyo's Jimbocho neighborhood is a haven for book lovers, its rows of secondhand bookstores spilling over with printed materials.
What you need to see at this year's Tokyo film festival
Chloe Zhao’s "Hamnet"
New film explores how Japan and the U.S. found common ground through baseball
Masanori Murakami became the first MLB player from Japan when he made his debut with the Giants on Sept 1, 1964.
As they wrestle for power, Japan’s political parties must remember their base
Rengo's head Tomoko Yoshino speaks to reporters in Tokyo on Oct. 8.

Podcast

One of the many entrances to the Kabukicho neighborhood in Tokyo’s Shinjuku Ward.
Kabukicho: Tokyo’s ‘stadium of desire’

Longform

Rock group The Yellow Monkey played K-Arena Yokohama in June as part of a nationwide tour. Concerts are increasingly popular in the age of social media as users value in-person experiences.
Inside Japan’s arena boom: Sports, sound and city-building
By Patrick St. Michel

SUSTAINABLE JAPAN

Tokyo Gas lights the way to carbon neutrality
Tokyo Gas lights the way to carbon neutrality

SPECIAL SUPPLEMENTS note

Read more

SUPPLEMENTS BINDER