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
Feb 19, 2020
Squads, not stars, could define J. League's 2020 season
In its chosen hashtag for the season (#2020の主役は誰だ), the J. League literally asks "who will play the lead role in 2020?"
Japan Times
SOCCER / J. League
Feb 14, 2020
J. League reaffirms commitment to safety for fans, players as new season approaches
After a record-setting 2019 season that saw larger crowds than ever attending games from Hokkaido to Okinawa, the J. League is committed to keeping both its fans and players safe.
Japan Times
SOCCER / J. League / J. LEAGUE NOTEBOOK
Feb 12, 2020
Epidemic-wary clubs move to protect players
COVID-19 has already had an outsized effect on Asian soccer, forcing the relocation of a women's Olympic qualifying group to Australia from Wuhan, China, as well as the rescheduling and then postponement of Asian Champions League games involving Chinese clubs.
Japan Times
SOCCER / J. League
Feb 8, 2020
Vissel Kobe win wild penalty shootout against Yokohama F. Marinos in Super Cup
It took Vissel Kobe 25 seasons to win their first trophy.
Japan Times
SOCCER / From the Spot
Feb 7, 2020
VAR and contact guidelines will change look of J. League officiating
Under normal circumstances, the Japan Football Association would prefer that its referees be conductors, blending into the background and occasionally providing a guiding whistle as the players take center stage.
Japan Times
OLYMPICS
Feb 4, 2020
JSA eager to use 2020 spotlight to call attention to sumo culture
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.
Japan Times
SOCCER / From the Spot
Jan 29, 2020
Overloaded schedule affects J. League clubs on pitch
It's not even February, and a J. League team has been eliminated from the Asian Champions League.
Japan Times
SOCCER / J. League / J. LEAGUE NOTEBOOK
Jan 22, 2020
Hajime Moriyasu running out of time to right Olympic ship
With just half a year to go until the Summer Olympics, Japan head coach Hajime Moriyasu is running out of time and sympathy.
Japan Times
SOCCER / From the Spot
Jan 15, 2020
Toronto midfielder Tsubasa Endoh awaits breakthrough moment for MLS in Japan
When newly minted FC Cincinnati striker Yuya Kubo makes his MLS debut in March, few will be more eager to welcome him than Tsubasa Endoh.
Japan Times
SOCCER / From the Spot
Jan 8, 2020
National Stadium less than sum of its parts
The new National Stadium is open for business, having survived a December opening gala featuring J-pop icons Arashi and the 2019 Emperor's Cup final with a number of online grumbles but few out-and-out disasters.
Japan Times
SOCCER
Jan 1, 2020
Vissel rings in new year with first-ever Emperor's Cup title
A new year, a new decade, a new stadium and a new champion.
Japan Times
SOCCER / J. League / J. LEAGUE NOTEBOOK
Dec 18, 2019
J. League season to include Olympic break
The J. League's season only wrapped up on Saturday, but it's already time to get out the calendars.
Japan Times
SOCCER
Dec 12, 2019
Japan submits bid for 2023 Women's World Cup to FIFA
Japan is considered a frontrunner in a field that may include a joint Australia-New Zealand bid, a rumored unified Korean bid, Colombia, Argentina and Brazil.
Japan Times
SOCCER / From the Spot
Dec 11, 2019
Celebs hog spotlight at subpar J. League gala
Sunday's J. League Awards should have been an opportunity for the league and its promotional team to take a victory lap after a 2019 season that shattered attendance records and drew unprecedented interest from overseas.
Japan Times
SOCCER / J. League
Dec 9, 2019
Marinos' faith in Teruhito Nakagawa pays off
Just over five years ago, Yokohama F. Marinos showed their faith in then-22-year-old Teruhito Nakagawa when they announced they would sign the Senshu University attacker to a pro contract, less than two weeks after he had severely damaged his right knee on the pitch.
Japan Times
SOCCER / J. League
Dec 7, 2019
Marinos capture J. League title on final day of season
A month ago, Saturday's match between Yokohama F. Marinos and FC Tokyo was billed as potentially the most climactic finish ever to the J. League season, with the two sides neck-and-neck alongside the Kashima Antlers, a club that knows a thing or two about grinding out first-division championships in...
Japan Times
SOCCER / From the Spot
Dec 4, 2019
Tokyo's title ambitions all but extinguished
Despite leading the league for 20 straight rounds from Round 8 — and retaking the top spot for one more week after Round 31 — FC Tokyo is almost certain to settle for second place when the final whistle is blown on Saturday at Nissan Stadium.
Japan Times
SOCCER / J. League
Nov 30, 2019
Marinos move closer to title
One way or another, the trophy presented annually to the winner of the J. League's first division was bound for Nissan Stadium after Saturday.
Japan Times
SOCCER / From the Spot
Nov 27, 2019
J1's chaotic final stretch just business as usual
The dramatic three-way race for the J. League first-division title between Yokohama F. Marinos, FC Tokyo and Kashima Antlers is shaping up to be the latest in the league's long history of photo finishes.
Japan Times
SOCCER
Nov 25, 2019
Urawa's ACL loss prompts reflection by Japanese soccer officials
For the Japanese soccer community, Urawa Reds' 3-0 aggregate defeat to Saudi Arabia's Al Hilal in the Asian Champions League final was unprecedented.

Longform

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