Tag - sp_feature

 
 

SP_FEATURE

Japan Times
SUMO
May 16, 2019
Sumo 101: Injuries
One of the most surprising aspects of sumo for first-time watchers is the sheer violence of the sport.
Japan Times
SUMO
May 14, 2019
Sumo 101: Impact of tourism
Sumo's popularity abroad has exploded over the past few years.
Japan Times
BASKETBALL / NBA
Apr 23, 2019
Despite great expectations, Rui Hachimura faces big challenge in quantum leap to NBA
Rui Hachimura's decision to end his college career in hopes of making a splash in the world's premier basketball league caused quite a stir in his homeland, but Japanese fans must temper expectations for their ascendant star.
Japan Times
BASKETBALL / HOOP SCOOP
Apr 5, 2019
Zeljko Pavlicevic making an impact with new coaching role in Libya
Zeljko Pavlicevic has never been shy about accepting bold challenges.
Japan Times
BASKETBALL
Apr 2, 2019
Performance staff plays big role for Japan hoopsters
Right after the final buzzer, the TV camera momentarily caught head coach Julio Lamas giving a strong hug to athletic trainer Takeo Ichiyanagi after they helped accomplish a big feat in the Middle East in late February.
Japan Times
Figure Skating / ICE TIME
Apr 2, 2019
Rafael Arutunian says he never felt Yuzuru Hanyu was unbeatable
In the days following the world championships it is always interesting to hear the various takeaways that those in the skating community have. One of note came from Rafael Arutunian, the coach of world champion Nathan Chen.
Japan Times
MORE SPORTS
Mar 29, 2019
Teenager Waka Sonoda taking aim at Olympic archery berth
As one of four women hoping to represent Japan at the World Archery Championships, 16-year-old Waka Sonoda is right on target to make her Olympic dreams a reality.
Japan Times
Rugby / ADDING THE EXTRAS
Mar 29, 2019
Future of Sunwolves in doubt after Super Rugby
Sunwolves CEO Yuji Watase put on a brave face last week despite clocking up air miles in the wake of the announcement his team would be not be part of the Super Rugby competition post 2020.
Japan Times
MORE SPORTS
Mar 28, 2019
As new season begins, Kanoa Igarashi hoping to ride wave of momentum to 2020 Olympics
Surfer Kanoa Igarashi said he intends to ride the momentum of last season all the way to a ride at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics when the 2019 World Surf League's Men's Championship Tour begins next Wednesday in Australia with the Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast.
Japan Times
BASEBALL / Japanese Baseball / NPB Preview
Mar 28, 2019
Central League clubs enter 2019 hoping to dethrone Carp
The following is the last of a two-part NPB preview ending with the 2019 Central League.
Japan Times
SUMO
Mar 21, 2019
Sumo 101: Could-have-beens
Sumo has no shortage of legends.
Japan Times
SUMO
Mar 20, 2019
Sumo 101: Bow-twirling ceremony
Every day of a sumo tournament concludes with a bow-twirling ceremony, called yumitori-shiki in Japanese.
SUMO
Mar 16, 2019
Sumo 101: Manga
Sumo is currently experiencing a boom in popularity overseas.
Japan Times
SUMO
Mar 15, 2019
Sumo 101: Closed stables
There are currently 46 heya (stables) in sumo.
Japan Times
Rugby
Mar 15, 2019
Back-row forward Ben Gunter seeking to give Sunwolves physical edge over Reds
The winner of the Sunwolves' Super Rugby clash with the Queensland Reds on Saturday could well be determined by which of the teams' youngest players comes out on top.
Japan Times
Rugby
Nov 3, 2018
All Blacks whip Brave Blossoms
Japan scored five tries against the world champion All Blacks but still suffered a 69-31 defeat on Saturday.
Japan Times
Rugby / ADDING THE EXTRAS
Nov 1, 2018
Young players make new friends at YCAC rugby clinic
While the All Blacks and Wallabies were doing their bit to woo Japanese rugby fans at last weekend's Bledisloe Cup match at Nissan Stadium, another group of Antipodean rugby players were in Japan doing an equally important job.
Japan Times
Rugby
Nov 1, 2018
Steve Hansen names second-string squad to face Brave Blossoms
New Zealand head coach Steve Hansen on Thursday told his new-look All Blacks to "trust your instincts" after naming his team for Saturday's test against Japan.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Sep 7, 2013
Photojournalist scoops top award
Photographer Noriko Hayashi has won the top award for feature reporting at an international photojournalism festival in Perpignan, southern France.
Japan Times
ENVIRONMENT / WEEK 3
Aug 21, 2011
Three Mile Island's lessons for Japan
In the early hours of March 28, 1979, human errors and mechanical failures combined to cause a cooling system to stop working at the Three Mile Island Nuclear Generating Station near Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. One of the station's two nuclear cores overheated, thrusting the plant into a crisis that would rivet public attention for five excruciating days.

Longform

Historically, kabuki was considered the entertainment of the merchant and peasant classes, a far cry from how it is regarded today.
For Japan's oldest kabuki theater, the show must go on