Tag - samurai-blue

 
 

SAMURAI BLUE

Hajime Moriyasu names his squad for Japan's two upcoming World Cup qualifiers against North Korea on Thursday.
SOCCER
Mar 14, 2024
Koki Ogawa and Yuto Nagatomo called up for Japan's matches against North Korea
Winger Junya Ito was overlooked after leaving the Japan squad during the Asian Cup amid a reported sexual assault allegation.
The men's soccer teams of North Korea and Japan clash in the East Asian Football Championship in Tokyo in December 2017.
SOCCER
Mar 12, 2024
Japan-North Korea World Cup game to stay in Pyongyang, says JFA
The JFA said it had been informed that the game on March 26 would be played at the 50,000-capacity Kim Il Sung Stadium.
Shinji Okazaki won the Premier League title with Leicester in the 2015-16 season.
SOCCER
Feb 26, 2024
Former Samurai Blue striker Shinji Okazaki set to retire
Okazaki earned 119 caps for Japan and played at three straight World Cups, starting with the 2010 tournament in South Africa.
Japan's national women's soccer team, Nadeshiko Japan, trains in Chiba on Feb. 13.
SOCCER
Feb 20, 2024
Japan heads to Saudi Arabia for Olympic qualifier against N. Korea
The game against North Korea was initially scheduled to be held in Pyongyang.
Junya Ito's lawyers speak to reporters on Monday in the city of Osaka.
SOCCER
Feb 19, 2024
Junya Ito files lawsuit seeking ¥202 million from women accusing him of sexual assault
Soccer player Junya Ito filed a lawsuit with the Osaka District Court on Monday seeking about ¥202 million in compensation from two women who alleged the winger and his trainer sexually assaulted them last year.
Japan's Hiroki Ito stands on the pitch with his teammates after their loss against Iran in the Asian Cup quarterfinals in Doha on Saturday.
SOCCER
Feb 5, 2024
Japan's Asian Cup exit raises questions ahead of World Cup qualifiers in North Korea
Former Japan star Keisuke Honda, who was part of the team that won the Asian Cup in 2011, said the country's soccer needed "innovative change."
Japan coach Hajime Moriyasu and Takumi Minamino look dejected after the team lost its quarterfinal match to Iran on Saturday.
SOCCER
Feb 4, 2024
Japan's well-traveled squad tastes bitter pill at Asian Cup
The exit was a predictable end to the tournament for a team that never lived up to its billing as favorites.
Iran forward Sardar Azmoun shoots the ball past Japan defender Takehiro Tomiyasu during the teams' quarterfinal clash at the Asian Cup in Qatar on Saturday.
SOCCER
Feb 3, 2024
Iran eliminates Japan from Asian Cup after late penalty
Iran, which won due to a converted penalty from the team's captain, had not beaten Japan in 19 years.
Japan midfielder Junya Ito has been accused of sexual assault by two women. Ito's laywer says he has denied the claims.
SOCCER
Feb 2, 2024
Junya Ito again out of Japan squad amid sexual assault allegations
The Japan Football Association had initially said Thursday the player was leaving but then backtracked on that decision later in the day.
Japan midfielder Junya Ito in Wolfsburg, Germany, on Sept. 9. Police have said that an investigation has been launched into claims of sexual assault involving the soccer player, allegations he denies.
SOCCER
Feb 1, 2024
Ito leaves Japan soccer team after sexual assault claims
Two women claimed Ito sexually assaulted them last year, but the player's lawyer said he has denied their claims
Japan's Junya Ito, seen during the 2022 FIFA World Cup, is accused of involving himself in a sexual act with two women without their consent last year.
SOCCER
Feb 1, 2024
Japan midfielder Junya Ito accused of sexual assault
Police are probing the allegation, according to a major publisher's news website and an investigative source.
Iran's Mehdi Taremi celebrates after scoring against Syria during their Asian Cup match in Doha on Wednesday.
SOCCER
Feb 1, 2024
Iran promises to be 'more united' against Japan in Asian Cup quarterfinals
Midfielder Saeid Ezatolahi said he saw Iran being dragged through extra time and penalties will make the team stronger for its match with Japan.
Japan's Wataru Endo (right) and Bahrain's Mohamed Al-Hardan vie for the ball during their Asian Cup match in Doha on Wednesday.
SOCCER
Feb 1, 2024
Wataru Endo warns Japan about road ahead after reaching Asian Cup quarterfinals
Questions remain for Hajime Moriyasu's side, which was the tournament favorite but has yet to keep a clean sheet in four games in Qatar.
Japan's Ritsu Doan (center) in action with Bahrain's Jasim Al-Shaikh during the two teams' Asian Cup last-16 clash in Doha on Wednesday.
SOCCER
Jan 31, 2024
Japan reaches Asian Cup last 8 with 3-1 win over Bahrain
While Japan progressed with little trouble, a shaky set-piece defense saw the side unable to keep a clean sheet once again.
Japan players train in Doha on Tuesday ahead of a last-16 knockout match against Bahrain in the Asian Cup tournament on Wednesday.
SOCCER
Jan 31, 2024
Moriyasu and Endo calmly confident ahead of Asian Cup knockouts
The Samurai Blue, 17th in the FIFA rankings, have had a six-day interval to ready themselves to face Bahrain.
Bahrain manager Juan Antonio Pizzi will lead his team against Japan in the last 16 of the Asian Cup on Wednesday.
SOCCER
Jan 26, 2024
Bahrain manager Juan Antonio Pizzi confident ahead of clash against Japan
Bahrain has "high morale" heading into its last-16 clash against Japan at the Asian Cup in Qatar, manager Juan Antonio Pizzi said Thursday.
Japan's Takumi Minamino (right) and Iraq's Ibrahim Bayesh vie for the ball during their Asian Cup match in Doha on Jan. 19.
SOCCER
Jan 26, 2024
Japan to face Bahrain in Asian Cup Round of 16
Japan clinched its spot in the knockout stage on with a 3-1 win over Indonesia on Wednesday.
Vietman's Pham Tuan Hai scores past Japan's Zion Suzuki (right) during their match at the Asian Cup in Doha on Jan. 14.
SOCCER
Jan 25, 2024
JFA condemns online abuse of Japan goalkeeper keeper Zion Suzuki
Japan Football Association President Kozo Tashima on Wednesday condemned online abuse directed at Japan goalkeeper Zion Suzuki.
Japan players celebrate after Ayase Ueda scored the team's second goal during Samurai Blue's win over Indonesia on Wednesday.
SOCCER
Jan 24, 2024
Japan cruises past Indonesia to reach Asian Cup last 16
Ayase Ueda struck in each half to go with a late Indonesia own goal in Doha to send the pre-tournament favorites through as group runners-up behind Iraq.
Brighton & Hove Albion's Kaoru Mitoma (left) in action with Crystal Palace's Nathaniel Clyne at Selhurtst Park, London, on Dec. 21. Mitoma has not played since hurting his ankle in the game, which ended in a 1-1 draw.
SOCCER
Jan 23, 2024
'Worry' for Japan as Mitoma misses training ahead of Asian Cup clash
The Brighton winger has not played since hurting his ankle in a 1-1 draw with Crystal Palace on Dec. 21.

Longform

A statue of "Dragon Ball" character Goku stands outside the offices of Bandai Namco in Tokyo. The figure is now as recognizable as such characters as Mickey Mouse and Spider-Man.
Akira Toriyama's gift to the world