author

 
 
Dan Orlowitz
Dan Orlowitz is a sports writer for the Japan Times, focusing primarily on the J. League, Samurai Blue, and everything there is to print about Japanese soccer. A Philadelphia native and graduate of Simon's Rock College, he moved to Japan at the end of 2006 and fell in love with the beautiful game from behind the FC Tokyo goal. His words, photos, voice, and occasionally visage have appeared online, in print, and over the airwaves for numerous outlets in several languages since 2011.
Japan Times
SOCCER / J. League
Jun 15, 2020
Packed schedules await J. League clubs
The top-flight J1 League will play as few as two rounds behind closed doors, but players will face frequent midweek games as the league rushes to make up for lost time.
Japan Times
SOCCER / J. League
Jun 12, 2020
J. League announces strict virus-related protocols ahead of restart
Players and staff will undergo PCR tests every two weeks, while fans will be restricted from singing and cheering during matches.
Japan Times
SOCCER / From the Spot
Jun 5, 2020
JFA's vision for new pro women's league ambitious, but Women's World Cup bid remains pragmatic
The WE League has the right message, but delivering on its promises for the sport will take more than a slogan.
Japan Times
SOCCER / J. League
May 29, 2020
J. League first division to resume on July 4
The second and third division will restart on June 27, with initial game in all three flights taking place without fans.
Japan Times
SOCCER / J. League / J. LEAGUE NOTEBOOK
May 14, 2020
J. League's birthday celebrations muted by coronavirus
'J. League Day' comes with current campaign stuck in limbo due to coronavirus pandemic
Japan Times
SOCCER / J. League / From the Spot
May 1, 2020
History repeats as Tosu struggles to find financial footing during COVID-19 crisis
The Kyushu club finds itself in serious financial distress after the departure of yet another major sponsor and the J. League's ongoing hiatus.
Japan Times
MORE SPORTS
Apr 23, 2020
NPB and J. League noncommittal on return to action after virus task force meeting
NPB and J. League officials are consulting with medical experts as they try to get their teams back on the field of play
Japan Times
SOCCER / J. League / J. LEAGUE NOTEBOOK
Apr 22, 2020
J. League offers clubhouses as PCR testing sites
The J. League isn’t just doing everything it can to help players and fans stay safe when professional soccer returns to Japan — it’s also stepping up to help the country’s efforts against the coronavirus.
Japan Times
SOCCER / J. League / From the Spot
Apr 8, 2020
J. League clubs feeling financial crunch from pandemic
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s Tuesday night announcement of a state of emergency marked the latest and most dramatic step in Japan’s battle against the COVID-19 pandemic.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Mar 25, 2020
Japan makes history by putting Tokyo 2020 on hold in favor of 'recovery Olympics' next year
The one-year deferral announcement for the quadrennial sporting event amid the COVID-19 pandemic marks the beginning of a fresh chapter in what had already seemed an uphill battle for Japan.
Japan Times
Figure Skating
Mar 19, 2020
Alexandra Trusova leads quad revolution in debut senior season
Writers dub her the "Quad Queen."
Japan Times
SOCCER / J. League
Mar 19, 2020
J. League to skip relegation as schedule threatened by coronavirus
Faced with an ever-shifting series of threats to its competitive calendar from the COVID-19 pandemic, the J. League announced on Thursday that it will suspend relegation for the 2020 season while allowing teams in the second and third divisions to fight for top-tier promotion.
Japan Times
SOCCER / From the Spot
Mar 18, 2020
COVID-19 strikes Japanese soccer
Since late February, Japanese soccer's professional and amateur competitions have shut down in an attempt to protect players, coaches and fans from the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak that has forced the cancellation of major sporting events around the world.
Japan Times
PODCAST / deep dive
Mar 11, 2020
Episode 42: Will the coronavirus cancel the Tokyo Olympics?
The 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games are set to start on July 24, bringing millions of fans and tens of thousands of athletes and support staff from around the world to Japan. Or that’s how the story is supposed to go. Now with the global coronavirus outbreak, there are serious concerns that the games will...
Japan Times
SOCCER / From the Spot
Mar 11, 2020
J. League running out of scheduling options
The J. League is not without options as it adjusts its schedule in the wake of the COVID-19 crisis.
Japan Times
SOCCER / J. League / J. LEAGUE NOTEBOOK
Mar 4, 2020
J. League fans make best of virus-induced sabbatical
No games, no problem — as long as you've got a Twitter account.
Japan Times
SOCCER / From the Spot
Feb 26, 2020
J. League chairman Mitsuru Murai faces another test in COVID-19
Mitsuru Murai knows a thing or two about tough decisions.
Japan Times
SOCCER / J. League
Feb 25, 2020
Amid COVID-19 outbreak, J. League postpones all matches until March 15
The J. League on Tuesday announced the postponement of all four of its competitions as the COVID-19 outbreak continued to have wide-reaching effects on the sports world.
Japan Times
SOCCER / J. League
Feb 22, 2020
Reysol victorious over Consadole in J. League opener
With the wind at their backs and a dynamic goal-scoring duo in front, Kashiwa Reysol started the season exactly how they wanted — with a win.
Japan Times
PODCAST / deep dive
Feb 19, 2020
Episode 39: What makes the J. League such a thrill to watch?
As the J. League season kicks off, Japan Times soccer (*cough* football) correspondent Dan Orlowitz tells us what makes the Japanese game so exciting to watch and what we can expect from the upcoming season.

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