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July 16, 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
Feb 4, 2013
Tokyo: Are you better or worse off than this time last year?
Dan Lewis
SUMO / SUMO SCRIBBLINGS
Jan 28, 2013
Harumafuji bounces back but cracks are still there
Harumafuji made many a sports-page headline Monday morning thanks to his latest 15-0 championship, his third zensho-yusho to date, and in claiming his fifth Emperor's Cup; his first as a yokozuna.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Voices / VIEWS FROM THE STREET
Jan 28, 2013
Tokyo: Do you think teachers should be allowed to dish out corporal punishment?
'I don't see any benefit in corporal punishment, whether at the hands of teachers or parents.'
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Voices / VIEWS FROM THE STREET
Jan 22, 2013
Tokyo: What do you think of AKB48's no-love-life clause?
I can understand their handlers want to keep the girls potentially available, just as I'm sure they want their stable to concentrate on their performances, not boys. It works to prevent any scandals too, while maintaining a pure image in a very Japanese way, where the puppet masters keep a very tight rein.
SUMO / SUMO SCRIBBLINGS
Jan 8, 2013
Seven sumo stories to look out for in the year of the snake
1. Baruto — make or break
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Voices / VIEWS FROM THE STREET
Jan 8, 2013
Tokyo: What will you remember most about 2012?
I attended my coming of age ceremony, which was a big event for me, even though I actually turned 20 the year before. I wore a kimono, and after the ceremony near where I live I went to Senso-ji in Asakusa, met up with all my classmates from school and did what everyone does — got drunk.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Voices / VIEWS FROM THE STREET
Dec 18, 2012
Tokyo: What does Christmas mean to you?
George Ianus
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Voices / VIEWS FROM THE STREET
Dec 11, 2012
Tokyo: What action do you want to see from Shintaro Ishihara's successor as Tokyo governor?
Daniel Dumas
Japan Times
SUMO / SUMO SCRIBBLINGS
Nov 28, 2012
Kyushu Basho: Harumafuji less than impressive as Baruto demoted
In the days leading up to the Nov. 11-25 Kyushu Basho in Fukuoka, much of the talk in sumo circles centered on the ozeki trio of Baruto, Kotoshogiku and the forever injured Kotooshu being able to maintain their rank come the January tournament back in Tokyo.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Voices / VIEWS FROM THE STREET
Nov 27, 2012
Fukuoka: What should be the next prime minister's top three priorities?
Ian Ruxton, 56
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Voices / VIEWS FROM THE STREET
Nov 20, 2012
Tokyo: What do you think of Shintaro Ishihara's decision to give up running the capital and start a new national party? Would you vote for him?
Kohei Yoshimura 
SUMO / SUMO SCRIBBLINGS
Nov 9, 2012
Kyushu 2012 — once more, two yokozuna heading the rankings
For the first time since 2009, the Kyushu Basho, Nov. 11-25, will see two yokozuna featured on the ranking sheet. Hakuho is in the slightly more prestigious east slot, with Harumafuji over on the west side of the banzuke.
SUMO / SUMO SCRIBBLINGS
Oct 26, 2012
Sumo World Championships a shadow of former self
Thousands of kids in Japan attend amateur sumo clubs every weekend. Many adults join them as part of fitness regimes.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Voices / VIEWS FROM THE STREET
Oct 23, 2012
Tokyo: Has U.S. President Barack Obama impressed or disappointed you over the past four years?
Patrick Coulon, 33Environmentalist (French)I think he has impressed more than disappointed. For the French, it seems like he is trying to create a solid social security system like we have in France, but that is really the only thing I know about his first (term to date).
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Voices / VIEWS FROM THE STREET
Oct 16, 2012
Tokyo: What's the most overrated place in Japan?
Sho Hara
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Voices / VIEWS FROM THE STREET
Oct 2, 2012
Tokyo: Which theater form — kabuki, noh or Takarazuka — would you say best represents modern Japan?
Sayuri Nakajima
SUMO / SUMO SCRIBBLINGS
Sep 25, 2012
Harumafuji — sumo's 70th yokozuna
The 2012 Aki Basho will forever be remembered as the tournament at which ozeki Harumafuji, winner of the previous Nagoya Basho with a perfect 15-0 record, mirrored his performance in July and guaranteed his promotion to the rank of yokozuna.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Voices / VIEWS FROM THE STREET
Sep 18, 2012
Osaka: Where will Mayor Toru Hashimoto and his ‘One Osaka’ vision be in 2022?
Narumi Watanabe
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Voices / VIEWS FROM THE STREET
Sep 11, 2012
Fukushima city: Are you happy with the post-3/11 reconstruction efforts in Tohoku so far?
Mieko Sasaki Housewife, 72 From the start nothing was managed properly. I'm upset that nothing has been resolved, even though I am 50-60 km away from (radiation) hot spots. I'm worried for the next generation but I want to say thank you to people from around the world for looking out for us in our hour...
SUMO / SUMO SCRIBBLINGS
Sep 9, 2012
Aki Basho 2012: Time for ozeki Harumafuji to step up his game
When the Aki-basho starts today, all eyes will be on one man, and this time it is not yokozuna grand champion Hakuho. Rather the focus of sumo fans throughout Japan and around the world will be on ozeki Harumafuji. Looking to secure a second consecutive championship victory and thereby guarantee his...
Who needs AI when you have Hatsune Miku?
Over the first six months of 2024, a handful of songs using Vocaloid singer Hatsune Miku’s voice have enjoyed widespread attention, underlining a global interest in the character and the technology she represents.
Bloodied Trump survives assassination attempt at political rally
Former U.S. President Donald Trump is surrounded and evacuated by Secret Service agents at a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, on Saturday. Trump was rushed off stage at the rally after shots rang out.
Shooter came within inches of killing Trump, but left few clues as to why
An aerial view shows the stage where Republican presidential candidate and former U.S. President Donald Trump had been standing during an assassination attempt the day before, and the roof of a nearby building where a gunman was shot dead by law enforcement, in Butler, Pennsylvania, on Sunday.
Yen’s woes seem too big for even a BOJ hike this month to solve
The Bank of Japan headquarters in Tokyo
How to beat Japan’s summer heat in ways better for the planet
Tenugui towels hang up to dry at a dyeing company in Sakai, Osaka Prefecture, on May 8. The durable and versatile tenugui, which many people have in their homes, can be used in many ways to cool one’s body.
The neurological disorder that 'kills culture'
Akiko Trush says her experience with the neurological disorder dystonia left her feeling like she wanted to chop her own hand off.
How to beat Japan’s summer heat in ways better for the planet
Tenugui towels hang up to dry at a dyeing company in Sakai, Osaka Prefecture, on May 8. The durable and versatile tenugui, which many people have in their homes, can be used in many ways to cool one’s body.
After Trump shooting, U.S. presidential race might take a violent turn
United States Secret Service Counter Snipers stand guard on a rooftop during a campaign rally for U.S. President Donald Trump in Avoca, Pennsylvania, in 2020.
No AC this summer? No problem (for me).
Think air conditioning is a requirement for a Tokyo summer? Think again.
She’s paying ¥1 million to help behind the scenes at the Paris Olympics
Mai Tarumi, who previously volunteered at the postponed Tokyo Olympics in 2021, has a travel budget of ¥1 million for her trip to volunteer at the Paris Games.

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Longform

Akiko Trush says her experience with the neurological disorder dystonia left her feeling like she wanted to chop her own hand off.
The neurological disorder that 'kills culture'
By Tomoko Otake

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