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
OLYMPICS
Feb 4, 2022
What to watch at the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics
Catch up on five key storylines to keep an eye on at the Games over the next couple of weeks.
Japan Times
OLYMPICS / Beijing 2022
Feb 3, 2022
Japan takes down Sweden in women's ice hockey opener at Beijing 2022
Japan arrived in Beijing hoping to find an answer in their third straight meeting versus Sweden at the Games. Her name, it turns out, was Rui Ukita.
Japan Times
PODCAST / deep dive
Feb 2, 2022
Beijing 2022 — A second pandemic Olympics
This Friday, the 2022 Winter Olympics kick off in Beijing, the second Olympics to be held during the COVID-19 pandemic, and the first ever to be held on entirely artificial snow.
Japan Times
OLYMPICS
Feb 1, 2022
Absence of Yuzuru Hanyu fans at Beijing 2022 a relief for Xi’s Pooh-paranoid censors
One of the Games' recent buzzworthy moments, the tossing of hundreds of stuffed bears onto the ice following Hanyu's performances, will be missing from the Olympics this year.
Japan Times
SOCCER / J. League / From the Spot
Jan 28, 2022
J. League's Hiromi Hara leverages new media to educate fans
Through his regular YouTube appearances and astute use of social media, the league's vice chairman has helped keep supporters connected throughout the pandemic.
Japan Times
SOCCER / J. League / From the Spot
Jan 4, 2022
Celtic boss Ange Postecoglou taps J. League experience in blockbuster triple-signing
The three are now bound for Celtic, the legendary Scottish club that has experienced a revival under the former F. Marinos boss.
Japan Times
SOCCER
Dec 24, 2021
Kumi Yokoyama pushes LGBTQ conversation forward in Japan while raising game on pitch
Yokoyama was praised by U.S. President Joe Biden for showing courage after coming out as transgender earlier this year.
Japan Times
SOCCER / J. League / From the Spot
Nov 25, 2021
FC Tokyo's long-awaited change arrives as Mixi takeover announced
Monday's long-telegraphed announcement that digital media giant Mixi will assume ownership of FC Tokyo signaled the start of a new era for the capital club.
Japan Times
SOCCER
Nov 24, 2021
WE League aims to learn from NWSL's harassment scandals
League officials said that while Japan's understanding of harassment has improved in recent years, there is still much to be done to ensure the well-being of the country's athletes.
Japan Times
Figure Skating
Nov 13, 2021
Shoma Uno and Kaori Sakamoto conquer NHK Trophy
The two Japanese skaters stood atop both the men's and women's podiums at Yoyogi National Gymnasium as their challengers fell behind in Saturday's free skate.
Japan Times
Figure Skating
Nov 12, 2021
Shoma Uno and Kaori Sakamoto top NHK Trophy standings after first day
An appreciative audience at Yoyogi National Gymnasium was treated to strong performances by Japan's entrants, with Uno the only skater to cross 100 points.
Japan Times
SOCCER / J. League
Nov 3, 2021
Dominant Kawasaki Frontale clinches fourth J1 League title in five seasons
This season was another masterclass for Kawasaki Frontale, with the team dropping just 17 points out of a possible 102 thus far. On Wednesday, they defended their 2020 title.
Japan Times
SOCCER / J. League
Oct 31, 2021
With most fans vaccinated, J. League sees path to pre-pandemic crowds
After 20 months of uncertainty and heavy restrictions, league officials are optimistic that they will be able to raise average attendances in the remaining five weeks of the season.
Japan Times
SOCCER / J. League
Oct 30, 2021
Nagoya shuts down Cerezo to win club's first Levain Cup
Goals from Naoki Maeda and Sho Inagaki combined with a strong defensive performance carried the day for Massimo Ficcadenti's men at Saitama Stadium.
Japan Times
SOCCER / J. League / J. LEAGUE NOTEBOOK
Oct 22, 2021
Sky not falling as J. League adjusts hometown rules
For a few hours on Sunday, it appeared as though the J. League was preparing to abolish its long-cherished hometown regulations.
Japan Times
SOCCER / From the Spot
Oct 13, 2021
Japan coach Hajime Moriyasu earns a reprieve after win over Socceroos
With his tactics coming under fire after Thursday's loss in Saudi Arabia, Moriyasu couldn't have hoped for a better series of developments to shift the narrative on Tuesday in Saitama.
Japan Times
SOCCER / World cup
Oct 12, 2021
Japan reignites World Cup campaign with win over Australia
A late own goal put the Samurai Blue ahead at Saitama Stadium, securing a much-needed three points for embattled head coach Hajime Moriyasu.
Japan Times
SOCCER / J. League
Oct 2, 2021
Frontale steps closer to fourth title with win over rival Tokyo
The defending J. League champion won its sixth game in a row, including five on short rest since being eliminated from the Asian Champions League last month.
Japan Times
SOCCER
Oct 1, 2021
JFA seeks Nadeshiko Japan revival under youth wizard Futoshi Ikeda
The 50-year-old, whose Japan side won the 2018 U-20 Women's World Cup, wants to restore the senior team's standing after it struggled to achieve results in recent international competitions.
Japan Times
SOCCER / J. League
Sep 29, 2021
J. League prepares for larger crowds as emergency ends
The league will use several games next month, potentially including the Oct. 30 Levain Cup final at Saitama Stadium, to trial new policies allowing for more vaccinated fans to attend games.

Longform

Construction takes place on the Takanawa Gateway Convention Center in Tokyo, slated to open in 2025.
A boom for business tourism in Japan?