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October 21, 2025
 

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SAMURAI BLUE

SOCCER / From the Spot
Jun 7, 2022
Spirited defense against Brazil offers Japan hope for success in Qatar
Monday's narrow loss showed the Samurai Blue's back line can endure against some of the world's best players, even if the team is still looking for a reliable attacking spark.
Japan Times
SOCCER
Jun 6, 2022
Brazil narrowly beats Japan through late Neymar penalty
The Samurai Blue held out until the 77th minute, when the Paris Saint-Germain star stutter-stepped his way to the penalty spot before chipping the ball past Japan keeper Shuichi Gonda.
SOCCER / World cup / From the Spot
Apr 3, 2022
Ultimate test awaits Samurai Blue after 'Group of Death' draw
While Japan will face a daunting challenge in a group featuring former World Cup champions Germany and Spain, the high-profile games may be exactly what the team needs.
Japan Times
SOCCER
Mar 29, 2022
Uneven Japan concludes qualifying campaign with draw against Vietnam
Captain Maya Yoshida's equalizer spared the home team blushes as they began to look ahead to November's main event in Qatar.
SOCCER / World cup / From the Spot
Mar 25, 2022
Battle-tested Samurai Blue eager for deep World Cup push
After perhaps the most unconventional, daunting and frustrating qualifying campaign in team history, Samurai Blue have qualified for a seventh straight FIFA World Cup.
SOCCER
Mar 24, 2022
Sydney stunner: Late Kaoru Mitoma brace sends Japan to World Cup
Despite outshooting the Socceroos on a waterlogged Stadium Australia pitch, Hajime Moriyasu's men failed to make the most of their chances until substitute Mitoma's star turn.
SOCCER / J. League / From the Spot
Jan 4, 2022
Celtic boss Ange Postecoglou taps J. League experience in blockbuster triple-signing
The three are now bound for Celtic, the legendary Scottish club that has experienced a revival under the former F. Marinos boss.
SOCCER / From the Spot
Oct 13, 2021
Japan coach Hajime Moriyasu earns a reprieve after win over Socceroos
With his tactics coming under fire after Thursday's loss in Saudi Arabia, Moriyasu couldn't have hoped for a better series of developments to shift the narrative on Tuesday in Saitama.
Japan Times
SOCCER / World cup
Oct 12, 2021
Japan reignites World Cup campaign with win over Australia
A late own goal put the Samurai Blue ahead at Saitama Stadium, securing a much-needed three points for embattled head coach Hajime Moriyasu.
Japan Times
SOCCER
Oct 10, 2021
History looms large as Japan seeks much-needed win over Socceroos
In Tuesday's crucial showdown at Saitama Stadium, Japan will face an Australia that has won a record 11 straight matches in qualifying for Qatar 2022.
Japan Times
OLYMPICS
Aug 7, 2021
Samurai Blue challenge awaits Japan's young stars after missing Olympic podium
A bawling Takefusa Kubo was all you had to see to understand the impact of Japan's 3-1 loss to Mexico on Friday.
Japan Times
OLYMPICS
Aug 4, 2021
After loss to Spain, Japan still wondering how to close gap with world soccer powers
In the end it was Real Madrid star Marco Asensio's game-winning goal that stood out the most when contrasted with Japan's failure to capitalize on any of its chances in the penalty area.
Japan Times
OLYMPICS
Jul 31, 2021
What to watch on Day 8 of the Tokyo Olympics
A Jamaican sprinting legend goes for gold and Japan's men's soccer team begins the knockout round looking to turn some more heads on Day 8 of the Tokyo Games.
Japan Times
OLYMPICS
Jul 29, 2021
Men's Olympic soccer and the struggle for legitimacy
Poor performances by some of the sport's powerhouses, including France — who were beaten by Japan 4-0 on Wednesday — are a reminder that the Olympic tourney is a different beast.
Japan Times
OLYMPICS
Jul 26, 2021
After monumental win over Mexico, Japan sets sights on men's soccer medal
Sunday's encounter at Saitama Stadium, where attacking midfielders Takefusa Kubo and Ritsu Doan lit up the Mexican defense, has Japan eyeing the podium.
Japan Times
OLYMPICS
Jul 22, 2021
Takefusa Kubo lifts Japan in Tokyo Olympic opener
Kubo scores late to give Japan a win over South Africa
SOCCER
Jun 1, 2021
Japan-Jamaica friendly called off after issues emerge with pre-flight COVID-19 tests
The Samurai Blue will face Japan's under-24 men's team instead of the Reggae Boyz in Sapporo on Thursday.
Japan Times
SOCCER
May 28, 2021
Japan smashes Myanmar to reach next World Cup qualifying round
Five goals from Yuya Osako highlighted Friday's nearly effortless victory by the Samurai Blue behind closed doors at Fukuda Denshi Arena in Chiba.
SOCCER / From the Spot
Apr 2, 2021
Prospects looking brighter for Japan's senior and Olympic squads
To say that the last week was a good one for followers of Japan's men's teams is somewhat of an understatement.
Japan Times
SOCCER
Mar 30, 2021
Japan dominates from start to finish in 14-goal rout of Mongolia
Yuya Osako netted a hat trick and three players scored second-half braces as the Samurai Blue all but booked advancement to the next round of World Cup qualifying.
Takaichi makes history as Japan’s first female prime minister
Liberal Democratic Party President Sanae Takaichi reacts to applauding lawmakers after being elected prime minister at the Lower House on Tuesday.
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.
Takaichi government will likely spend less than expected
Liberal Democratic Party President Sanae Takaichi at the National Diet Building in Tokyo on Monday
Nakatsu keeps its cool as gentrification looms
Shunsuke Takahashi, owner of the cafe Hood by Vargas, says the Osaka neighborhood of Nakatsu feels brighter and calmer with the influx of new businesses.
How Japan’s greatest psychological horror game came home
Series composer Akira Yamaoka and writer Ryukishi07 were integral figures in helping one of Japan's greatest horror gaming franchises land a Japanese setting.
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"

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

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