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 Joel Tansey

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Joel Tansey
Joel joined The Japan Times in 2017 after four years as a reporter with Black Press Media in western Canada. He's currently a senior news editor and in 2022 he helped launch a new section of the paper focusing on climate change, earth science and other environmental issues.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY
Nov 1, 2020
From exile in Kyoto, a social media leader in the fight for Thailand
With thousands of Thai students defying government attempts to halt pro-democracy rallies, many see Pavin Chachavalpongpun as an inspiration for change.
Japan Times
PODCAST / deep dive
Oct 14, 2020
Episode 68: Naomi Osaka — seven matches, seven masks, seven names
News editor Joel Tansey discusses the impact of Naomi Osaka's support for the Black Lives Matter movement both in the U.S. and Japan, and what a new wave of activism in sports might mean for next summer's Tokyo Olympics.
Japan Times
TENNIS
Sep 13, 2020
Outstanding Osaka: Japanese star captures second U.S. Open title
Naomi Osaka completed a nearly flawless two weeks of tennis with a tight three-set win over Victoria Azarenka to capture her third major title.
Japan Times
TENNIS
Sep 11, 2020
Naomi Osaka reaches U.S. Open final with gutsy three-set win
Osaka overcame American Jennifer Brady at Arthur Ashe Stadium to set up a potential third Grand Slam title, two years after capturing her first at the same tournament.
TENNIS
Jul 7, 2020
Junior Wimbledon champion Shintaro Mochizuki may have more surprises in store
The 17-year-old Kawasaki native, who broke a 50-year grand slam drought for Japanese boys last year, is turning heads with his impressive net play.
Japan Times
TENNIS
Jun 28, 2020
Japanese players express concern as tennis tours prepare to restart
Yoshihito Nishioka, Japan's No. 2 men's player, told The Japan Times he thinks it's too early for tennis to resume in light of a spate of positive COVID-19 tests.
Japan Times
PODCAST / deep dive
Apr 29, 2020
Episode 48: The Great Konbini Debate
Which Japanese convenience store is best and why? That's the question Newspick's Yuzuha Oka and The Japan Times' Chris Russell, Joel Tansey and Oscar Boyd attempt to answer.
TENNIS
Feb 15, 2020
Yoshihito Nishioka and Go Soeda target Olympic berths
Yoshihito Nishioka didn't mince words when asked about his goals for the 2020 tennis season.
Japan Times
TENNIS
Jan 19, 2020
Osaka to face young guns at Australian Open
Asked to select the female player under 25 who is likely to have the best career, American tennis legend Chris Evert hesitates, hums and haws before coming up with her answer.
TENNIS
Sep 24, 2019
Naomi Osaka raised spectators' spirits, pleased organizers at Pan Pacific Open
It was a potential nightmare for fans, tournament organizers and even the players.
TENNIS
Sep 15, 2019
Naomi Osaka among players hoping for redemption at Pan Pacific Open
Redemption is the theme as the 2019 edition of the Pan Pacific Open gets underway Monday with a weaker field than in year's past, with only two of the world's top 10 players competing. Still, 12 of the world's top 30 are due to take the court at Osaka's Utsubo Tennis Center, where world No. 4 Naomi Osaka...
TENNIS
Aug 25, 2019
Kei Nishikori still looking for way around 'Big Three' roadblock
It's been five years since Kei Nishikori upset Novak Djokovic in the semifinals of the U.S. Open to secure his first, and so far only, appearance in a Grand Slam final.
Japan Times
TENNIS
Jul 2, 2019
Expectations make it tough on former No. 1 Naomi Osaka
Facing break point at 2-2 in the second set, Naomi Osaka fired a flat, roughly 180 kph serve to Yulia Putintseva's backhand, seemingly handcuffing her tricky Kazakh opponent.
TENNIS
Jun 30, 2019
Naomi Osaka returns to hunter role at Wimbledon
A shocking coaching change, off-court distractions, the pressure of added expectations as world No. 1: There's no one-size-fits-all explanation for Naomi Osaka's struggles since winning the Australian Open.
Japan Times
TENNIS
Jun 4, 2019
Kei Nishikori faces daunting challenge against 'King of Clay'
Robin Soderling. Novak Djokovic. Kei Nishikori?
Japan Times
TENNIS
May 25, 2019
Clay a big challenge for Naomi Osaka
It's been 10 months since a woman other than Naomi Osaka hoisted a Grand Slam singles trophy, but if the star is to make it three majors in a row she's going to have to do something she hasn't done at any level as a professional: succeed on clay.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Our Lives / TELLING LIVES
Feb 27, 2019
One family slides into action to create an outdoor ice rink
After a long day of Christmas Eve celebrations with seven of their eight children, five of whom were visiting from overseas, Christoph and Satoko Odermatt got to work.
Japan Times
LIFE / Travel
Feb 15, 2019
Phuket: A destination that can just about be anything you want it to be
It was only after the third run to the bathroom that regret started to set in over my beachside lunch — a veritable smorgasbord that included a green curry chock-full of seafood, tom yum hot-and-sour soup and a smattering of side dishes, all enjoyed in view of the dazzling Andaman Sea.
Japan Times
TENNIS
Feb 13, 2019
Osaka's split with coach shocks tennis world
Deep into the Melbourne night on Jan. 26, the newly crowned world No. 1 was still fielding questions from a room full of reporters.
Japan Times
PODCAST / deep dive
Jan 30, 2019
Episode 6: What a week for Naomi Osaka
This week on Deep Dive, Oscar Boyd is joined by Baye McNeil and Joel Tansey to discuss Naomi Osaka's rise to the top and a recent case of whitewashing.

Longform

Professional cleaner Hirofumi Sakurai takes a moment to appreciate some photographs in a Gotanda apartment whose occupant died alone.
The last cleanup: Life and death in a lonely Japan