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 / World cup
Nov 28, 2022
Japan's magic fades with disappointing loss to Costa Rica
The magic Japan conjured up in its upset of Germany is gone, and only uncertainty awaits after an uninspired showing in a loss against Costa Rica at the World Cup in Qatar.
Japan Times
SOCCER / World cup
Nov 24, 2022
Japan substitutes star in historic World Cup win over Germany
The Samurai Blue's shift of tactics to a three-back system paid dividends in the second half as Ritsu Doan and Takuma Asano scored late to clinch a famous victory.
Japan Times
SOCCER / World cup / From the Spot
Nov 21, 2022
Samurai Blue have chance to win over hearts of Japanese fans again at World Cup
Japan's rise on the global stage has come as more fans feel disconnected from a squad of stars who mostly play abroad.
Japan Times
SOCCER / World cup
Nov 21, 2022
Japan must brave challenging climb to reach lofty ambitions at World Cup
Japan has set its sights on the quarterfinals in Qatar but may need to go through two former champions to get there.
Japan Times
SOCCER / World cup
Nov 18, 2022
World Cup mired in controversy set to kick off in Qatar
This edition of the tournament has generated far more headlines about what's taken place off the pitch than what's expected to take place on it.
Japan Times
PODCAST / deep dive
Nov 16, 2022
Samurai Blues: The J. League, the World Cup and Japan’s place in global soccer
Sports writer Dan Orlowitz joins the show to catch us up on where Japan stands in the global soccer landscape and the controversies swirling around the host nation of Qatar.
Japan Times
SOCCER / J. League
Nov 14, 2022
Ukrainian evacuees welcomed at FC Tokyo season finale
The J. League club has increased its cooperation with the Tokyo Metropolitan Government, including the promotion of 'Easy Japanese' for foreign residents.
Japan Times
SOCCER / J. League
Nov 5, 2022
Yokohama F. Marinos win fifth J1 title after tense battle on season's last day
Yokohama's win at Vissel was enough to give the J. League cofounder its first championship since 2019 and second under an Australian coach, denying prefectural rival Frontale a three-peat.
Japan Times
SOCCER / World cup
Nov 1, 2022
Hajime Moriyasu announces Japan squad for World Cup
Head coach Hajime Moriyasu has placed his faith in an established core of players but omitted several of Japan's current European standouts and World cup veterans.
Japan Times
SOCCER / J. League
Oct 29, 2022
F. Marinos holds onto J1 title destiny with Round 33 win over Reds
Braces by Elber and Anderson Lopes kept Kevin Muscat's men atop the table, leaving only season-finale opponent Vissel standing between them and the club's fifth league title.
Japan Times
SOCCER / J. League / From the Spot
Oct 26, 2022
Expansion could be key to revitalizing stagnant Levain Cup
J. League officials are considering changes that would add second and third-division teams to the tournament, which celebrated its 30th anniversary on Saturday.
Japan Times
SOCCER / J. League
Oct 22, 2022
Sanfrecce stuns Cerezo with Pieros Sotiriou double to win Levain Cup
A pair of late second-half goals by the Cypriot striker gave Sanfrecce its first-ever cup title after a total of eight runner-up finishes in Japan's two marquee club tournaments.
Japan Times
SOCCER / J. League
Oct 22, 2022
Former Reysol star and Japan international Masato Kudo dies at 32
The Tegevajaro Miyazaki striker, who won Japan's three major club titles with Kashiwa Reysol between 2011 and 2013, underwent surgery earlier this month to treat fluid buildup in his brain.
Japan Times
SOCCER / J. League
Oct 18, 2022
Former Japan and Celtic legend Shunsuke Nakamura retires at 44
The spot-kick specialist made waves during his four years in Scotland, opening the door for dozens of Japanese players to follow in his footsteps to Europe.
Japan Times
SOCCER
Oct 16, 2022
Kofu outlasts Hiroshima to claim maiden Emperor's Cup title
The J. League second-division team held the fort against its J1 opponent, earning its first major trophy after a dramatic penalty shootout at Nissan Stadium.
Japan Times
SOCCER / J. League
Oct 8, 2022
Resilient Gamba frustrates F. Marinos title hopes
A masterclass by goalkeeper Masaaki Higashiguchi as well as two timely set-piece goals lifted Gamba Osaka's hopes of avoiding relegation and kept the hosts from claiming the J1 crown.
Japan Times
BASKETBALL / NBA
Oct 2, 2022
NBA and Wizards celebrate Rui Hachimura's Japan homecoming
The 24-year-old forward has been the star of the show since his team arrived on Wednesday for their two-game preseason series with the reigning NBA champion Warriors.
Japan Times
SOCCER
Oct 1, 2022
Urawa fights back to win WE League Cup final over Beleza
Down 3-0 with less than 20 minutes left on the clock, the Reds rallied back to equalize the game before winning in penalties at Ajinomoto Field Nishigaoka.
Japan Times
BASKETBALL / NBA
Sep 30, 2022
Warriors beat Wizards as NBA preseason returns to Japan
Rui Hachimura and Stephen Curry were the stars of the night at Saitama Super Arena as the reigning NBA champion Warriors led throughout.
Japan Times
SOCCER
Sep 28, 2022
Samurai Blue starters come into view after 'last-chance' friendlies
After a dominant win against the United States and a draw against hard-fighting Ecuador, many of the gaps in Japan's expected World Cup lineup have likely been filled in.

Longform

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