Film Nov 6, 2020
'Sumodo' documentary offers a rare inside look at the competitive world of sumo
by Mark Schilling
Director Eiji Sakata’s documentary reveals the human side of Japan’s wrestlers.
National Sep 10, 2020
Japan Sumo Association says 19 wrestlers have tested positive for COVID-19
The entire Tamanoi stable will sit out the Autumn Grand Sumo Tournament that begins this weekend.
National / Media | BIG IN JAPAN Jun 20, 2020
An aging sumo wrestler, food poisoning risks and safeguarding pets from COVID-19
by Mark Schreiber
Warning: A portion of this contribution deals with suicide, which some readers may find distressing. In this age of medical miracles, it has become increasingly common to read accounts of women who have given birth in their 60s or even 70s. For professional sumo wrestlers, ...
More Sports May 15, 2020
Coronavirus blow to Japanese sports industry may hit ¥274.7 billion
by Kaz Nagatsuka
Renowned economist Katsuhiro Miyamoto predicts that Japan's professional sports leagues could see over $1 billion in losses.
Olympics Feb 4, 2020
JSA eager to use 2020 spotlight to call attention to sumo culture
by Dan Orlowitz
The Japan Sumo Association is putting its considerable weight behind the 2020 Tokyo Games as it looks to use the international extravaganza to promote the country's national sport. On Tuesday at the famed Ryogoku Kokugikan in Tokyo, the JSA formally announced plans for Grand Sumo, ...
National Feb 3, 2020
Stars throw soybeans in setsubun event at Naritasan Shinshoji temple
An annual bean-throwing event was held Monday at Naritasan Shinshoji, a major Buddhist temple in Narita, Chiba Prefecture, to mark setsubun, the day before the start of spring according to Japan's ancient calendar. On setsubun, people traditionally throw soybeans, chanting "oni wa soto" ("demons out") ...
Sumo | Rikishi Files Nov 12, 2019
Baruto overcame obstacles to become ozeki
by John Gunning
In early 2004, two massive Estonians moved to Japan to join professional sumo. Ott Juurikas became a member of the Irumagawa stable but was complaining about feeling out of place almost immediately, and after just a single outing, he quit the sport and returned home. Juurikas ...
National / Social Issues Nov 4, 2019
'Little Miss Sumo' wrestles with sexism in Japan's ancient sport
by Michael Taylor
A young wrestler dubbed "Little Miss Sumo" is fighting sexism in the ancient Japanese sport, hoping to inspire other women to step into the ring and elevate sumo to Olympic status. Hiyori Kon is the focus of a new Netflix documentary, "Little Miss Sumo," which ...
Sumo Sep 3, 2019
Yokozuna Hakuho, a record 42-time sumo grand champion, has acquired Japanese citizenship after relinquishing his Mongolian nationality, an official government publication showed Tuesday. Although Japanese nationality is not required to compete in sumo, citizenship is necessary if a wrestler wishes to progress to become a ...
Commentary / Japan May 31, 2019
Abe's charm failed to sway Trump on North Korea
by James Stavridis
By creating so much daylight between himself and America's strongest ally in Asia, Trump weakens U.S. credibility and geopolitical strength in the region.
National May 24, 2019
Sumo superfan to skip basho finale, saying tight security for Trump is an unwelcome distraction
by Chisato Tanaka
When U.S. President Donald Trump arrives with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe to take in live sumo wrestling on Sunday at the Ryogoku Kokugikan in Tokyo, security will be beefed up to its highest level — with bodyguards even on alert to protect the president ...
Sumo May 24, 2019
by John Gunning
Sumo might be Japan's national sport, but for most of the last two decades it has been dominated by Mongolians. From November 2002, when Ulaanbaatar native Asashoryu won his first Emperor's Cup, to January 2016, when Kotoshogiku broke a 10-year title drought for Japan-born rikishi, ...