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November 22, 2024
 

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Mark Buckton

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Mark Buckton
Mark Buckton has covered sumo for The Japan Times Online since 2006 and has long worked with broadcast media such as the BBC and CNN when things go awry in the sport. He has contributed to six books on Japanese culture, and is a columnist at entertainment magazine Eye-Ai.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Voices / VIEWS FROM THE STREET
Jul 29, 2013
Tokyo: Now that Abe's coalition has a majority in both Diet chambers, what should he do?
I would like to buy a house in the future, so while housing loan taxes are low now, I would like to see Mr. Abe help those looking to buy houses by lowering these taxes even further. Also, I think that until the economy improves, the consumption tax should not be increased — for now.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Voices / VIEWS FROM THE STREET
Jul 22, 2013
Tokyo: Which famous Japanese person would you most like to meet and why?
If I had a chance, I'd like to meet the ex-Blue Hearts singer Hiroto Komoto, who covered issues such as many people entering companies all wearing the same suit, all wanting to join big firms and wanting to buy the same-style house. I like him because he 'sang out' about these things.
Japan Times
SUMO / SUMO SCRIBBLINGS
Jul 22, 2013
Hakuho moves past Asashoryu to third on the all-time greatest list
On July 21, yokozuna Hakuho became the third most successful rikishi in the modern era, even if his 26th yusho victory since first holding aloft the Emperor's Cup 42 tournaments ago came with something of a bittersweet aftertaste.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Voices / VIEWS FROM THE STREET
Jul 15, 2013
Tokyo: Which of Japan's many summer firework displays do you recommend?
I think the best fireworks display in Japan is in Nagaoka, Niigata Prefecture. Even though it is not the biggest in Japan, the huge round fireworks let off there are very famous and attract people from all over the place. I'm looking forward to seeing the Nagaoka fireworks this year.
SUMO / SUMO SCRIBBLINGS
Jul 4, 2013
Will Hakuho prove the party-pooper in Kisenosato's quest?
Hakuho, sumo's best grand champion in the past 25 years, will be aiming to win his fourth Nagoya Basho since being promoted to the top rank in 2007, and his 26th overall. Some would say this will be the toughest basho he has faced as a yokozuna.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Voices / VIEWS FROM THE STREET
Jun 25, 2013
Tokyo: Do you think conscription — in Japan or elsewhere — is a good thing or a bad idea?
I think conscription is a bad idea because we always say people are equal and can do what they want, and I myself am all for liberty and freedom of choice. To that end, people, whoever they are, must be able to do what they want, and if they don't want to [join the military], that is quite alright.
SUMO / SUMO SCRIBBLINGS
Jun 6, 2013
Nagoya to be testing ground for a trio of sumo titans
As Hakuho continues chalking up championships almost at will, mention of the 'other' yokozuna — Harumafuji (11-4) — in some sumo circles is now met with heads being shaken.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Voices / VIEWS FROM THE STREET
May 14, 2013
Tokyo: What do you make of Gov. Naoki Inose's comments about Muslims and Istanbul's Olympic bid?
I think many people in Japan see all foreigners as fighting with each other, not just Muslims. But, focusing on the positives [and ignoring Inose's negative comments], I see Istanbul as the better option [to be 2020 host].
SUMO / SUMO SCRIBBLINGS
May 1, 2013
Is Hakuho on his way to becoming the greatest ever?
On sumo's list of all-time yusho winners, Hakuho currently stands tied with Kitanoumi on 24 championships to date. Just three men stand between the Mongolian and the all-time record: Asashoryu at 25, Chiyonofuji at 31 and Taiho at 32.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Voices / VIEWS FROM THE STREET
Apr 30, 2013
Tokyo: What are the best and worst things about living in Tokyo?
I love how Tokyo is a big, chaotic mess, unlike my hometown, and I also enjoy getting lost when I am out and about, but the best thing is that I can eat and drink 24/7.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Voices / VIEWS FROM THE STREET
Apr 16, 2013
Tokyo: What have been your best and worst jobs, and why?
My current job is the best I've had. Since 2008 I've worked for a university entrance exam company here. The worst was also here in Japan, when I was working as an assistant language teacher, because I had different bosses, and the job description was so loose that it was far from satisfying.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Voices / VIEWS FROM THE STREET
Apr 16, 2013
Tokyo: Do you have a message for young North Korean leader Kim Jong Un?
Get a hobby. Play less Battleships. Kim should take up something else, such as darts. He really needs to show his generals who is boss, and needs to be a little more refined in how he demonstrates his power.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Stage
Apr 14, 2013
Takarazuka: Japan's newest 'traditional' theater turns 100
Ask your average Japanese person or non-native Japanophile to name a “traditional” form of domestic theater and the classics such as kabuki and noh would feature prominently.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Stage
Apr 14, 2013
Star Troupe's top otokoyaku star speaks out
Ahead of their current Taiwan tour, Yuzuki Reon, the current top otokoyaku (male-role actress) with the Takarazuka Revue, took time out between rehearsals at the city-center Tokyo Takarazuka Theater to share with readers of The Japan Times something of her view from such a lofty show-biz height.
SUMO / SUMO SCRIBBLINGS
Apr 3, 2013
Hakuho sets records, Harumafuji only raises questions
As was expected before the recent Haru Basho in Osaka, both yokozuna, on the back of too little practice, and too many public engagements started the tournament less than convincingly.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Voices / VIEWS FROM THE STREET
Mar 19, 2013
Tokyo: Do you have a positive or negative image of the police?
I have a pretty negative impression of the police overall, in large part as a result of repeated cases of young women reporting stalkers, the police then failing to act, and the stalkers eventually killing the women.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Voices / VIEWS FROM THE STREET
Mar 12, 2013
Tokyo: Do you support Japan abandoning nuclear power even if it means increases in electricity prices?
Even if it's true that electricity bills will rise, I don't agree with using nuclear power due to the simple fact that it is not 100 percent safe. And, whilst I don't have kids yet, I hope to be a father one day, and I don't want them to grow up in a nuclear-dependent world.
SUMO / SUMO SCRIBBLINGS
Mar 10, 2013
Will this be the basho in which Kisenosato claims his first yusho?
When the basho opens today, few rikishi will be as ill-prepared as the two yokozuna: Hakuho and Harumafuji.
SUMO
Mar 1, 2013
Wrestling's fall from Olympic grace sends wake-up call to International Sumo Federation
The quest of the International Sumo Federation (IFS) to have amateur sumo accepted as a bona fide Olympic sport has long been viewed as as a pie-in-the-sky proposition by many.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Voices / VIEWS FROM THE STREET
Feb 26, 2013
Tokyo: What do you make of the idea of having a romantic relationship with a Western woman/Japanese man?
At first, I thought I preferred Japanese women based on looks, but now I am actually married to an American woman. I was attracted to her as a whole — her personality as well as her looks.
Two of America’s biggest debt holders are dumping Treasurys
The U.S. Treasury building in Washington. Investors in Japan and China sold a pile of U.S. debt in the last quarter, just before the U.S. presidential election.
Ishiba aggravates his own political failures with diplomatic faux pas
Prime Minster Shigeru Ishiba is greeted at the APEC summit in Lima by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Friday. The Japanese leader was criticized for remaining seated while meeting several world leaders at the event.
Japan's 3.31 million visitors in October set monthly record
Kiyomizu Temple in Kyoto in December 2023. Famous autumn leaf colors contributed to increased tourism demand last month from many markets across Asia, Europe and North America, the Japan National Tourism Organization has said.
Japan ranks last in romance satisfaction for second straight year
In a survey of 31 countries, Japan ranked last in terms of those who felt loved, with just 51% of respondents saying so.
Ruling coalition and DPP strike last-minute deal over economic policy
DPP policy chief Makoto Mahaguchi speaks at the party's policy gathering in Tokyo on Wednesday.
Japan, U.K. and Italy discuss inviting more countries to joint fighter project
A new concept model of a next-generation fighter jet to be jointly developed by Japan, Britain and Italy is on display in Farnborough, Hampshire, in July.
Haruki Murakami's 'The City and Its Uncertain Walls' gives deep deja vu
For “The City and Its Uncertain Walls,” translated into English by Philip Gabriel, Haruki Murakami confronts the ghosts who won't leave him alone.
Japanese expats in Asia find community through rugby
The Taiwan Fivewoods celebrate their victory at the 2023 Asian Japanese Rugby Cup in December of last year.
In Fukushima, a weekend of prose, poetry and translation
Aomori-based writer JJ Carter presented on tabletop gaming as creative inspiration for building characters and narratives.
For Dr. Nakamats, aging is just experience in action
Though he didn't win the recent gubernatorial election in Tokyo, the 96-year-old Dr. Nakamats' run was seen as inspirational in Japan's aging society.

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