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
MORE SPORTS
Apr 24, 2022
X Games soar in Japan debut as action sports fans flock to Chiba
Tens of thousands of fans turned up as the X Games, known for igniting the mainstream popularity of action sports, took place in Japan for the first time over the weekend.
Japan Times
CULTURE
Apr 16, 2022
Magic: The Gathering taps into Japanese pop culture
The cyberpunk-themed Kamigawa: Neon Dynasty expansion set enchants its dedicated fan base with world-renowned artists.
Japan Times
SOCCER / J. League
Apr 12, 2022
J. League targets Generation Z with TikTok partnership
The league hopes to use the short-form video-sharing platform to offer an unfiltered look behind the scenes and appeal to younger fans.
Japan Times
SOCCER / World cup / From the Spot
Apr 3, 2022
Ultimate test awaits Samurai Blue after 'Group of Death' draw
While Japan will face a daunting challenge in a group featuring former World Cup champions Germany and Spain, the high-profile games may be exactly what the team needs.
Japan Times
SOCCER
Mar 29, 2022
Uneven Japan concludes qualifying campaign with draw against Vietnam
Captain Maya Yoshida's equalizer spared the home team blushes as they began to look ahead to November's main event in Qatar.
Japan Times
SOCCER / J. League
Mar 29, 2022
Verdy touts defender Pratama Arhan as league’s new bridge to Indonesia
It's not every day that a J. League club unveils its new foreign signing at an ambassador's residence. Yet that's exactly the venue Tokyo Verdy chose to introduce defender Pratama Arhan.
Japan Times
SOCCER / World cup / From the Spot
Mar 25, 2022
Battle-tested Samurai Blue eager for deep World Cup push
After perhaps the most unconventional, daunting and frustrating qualifying campaign in team history, Samurai Blue have qualified for a seventh straight FIFA World Cup.
Japan Times
SOCCER
Mar 24, 2022
Sydney stunner: Late Kaoru Mitoma brace sends Japan to World Cup
Despite outshooting the Socceroos on a waterlogged Stadium Australia pitch, Hajime Moriyasu's men failed to make the most of their chances until substitute Mitoma's star turn.
Japan Times
SOCCER / J. League / From the Spot
Mar 16, 2022
Departing chairman guided J. League through growth and turbulence
From a landmark broadcasting deal to the COVID-19 pandemic, Mitsuru Murai helped the league reach financial stability and gave it the tools to develop future homegrown talent.
Japan Times
OLYMPICS
Feb 20, 2022
Controversial Beijing Olympics reach finish line
Japan had its best-ever showing at a Winter Games with 18 medals in an event that will be remembered for its complicated circumstances as much as its thrilling athletic displays.
Japan Times
SOCCER / J. League / From the Spot
Feb 17, 2022
Defending champion Frontale primed for another title run as challenges mount
Dynastic Kawasaki Frontale start the J. League campaign as the favorites, but the road to another title will not be easy.
Japan Times
OLYMPICS
Feb 14, 2022
Beijing vs. Tokyo: A tale of two cities' approaches to the pandemic Games
Influenced by ever-changing collective knowledge on COVID-19, the recent Olympic Games have taken radically different approaches to hosting the world's biggest international sporting events during a global pandemic.
Japan Times
OLYMPICS
Feb 11, 2022
Yuma Kagiyama and Shoma Uno hoping to reach even greater heights after Beijing success
After finishing on the Beijing 2022 men’s figure skating podium, silver medalist Yuma Kagiyama and bronze-winning Shoma Uno are looking forward to spending much more time with each other.
Japan Times
OLYMPICS
Feb 10, 2022
Nathan Chen captures gold as Yuzuru Hanyu falls short in bid to make history
Nathan Chen tops the podium as Yuma Kagiyama claims the silver medal and Shoma Uno earns bronze.
Japan Times
OLYMPICS
Feb 9, 2022
Japan's women's hockey team sets sights on podium ahead of quarterfinal clash
For Japan, advancing to the knockout tournament is nothing short of a historic achievement in just its fourth Olympic appearance.
Japan Times
OLYMPICS
Feb 8, 2022
Rivals and new faces shine as Yuzuru Hanyu misses mark
Hanyu's potential third straight Olympic gold may be in doubt after Nathan Chen walked out of the Capital Indoor Arena as the clear leader in a talented pack.
Japan Times
OLYMPICS
Feb 7, 2022
Beijing Games' outdoor events take place a world away in chilly Zhangjiakou
Compared with the world of glass, pavement and concrete surrounding competitions in central Beijing, Zhangjiakou is a bubble of an entirely different nature.
Japan Times
OLYMPICS
Feb 6, 2022
Meet the 'fanyus,' the passionate yet chaotic force behind Yuzuru Hanyu
The two-time Olympic champion's fandom, which spans borders, cultures and generations, is one of figure skating's most passionate — and polarizing.
Japan Times
OLYMPICS
Feb 4, 2022
Beijing welcomes the world to controversial Winter Olympics
Although Beijing was able to begin its edition on schedule — unlike the troubled Tokyo Games — these Winter Olympics have also been marked by the impact of the pandemic.
Japan Times
OLYMPICS / Beijing 2022
Feb 4, 2022
Sparking consistent local interest in hockey key part of Japan's Winter Olympic future
“Hockey is the most valuable winter sport, and building momentum for hockey in Japan will be mandatory for the Winter Olympics,” Nikko Ice Bucks COO Takayuki Hioki said.

Longform

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