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 Kaz Nagatsuka

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Kaz Nagatsuka
Kaz Nagatsuka is a staff writer covering Japanese sports, including Japanese professional baseball, basketball, American football and individual sports. He has covered big sporting events such as the World Baseball Classic, the NFL Super Bowl and soccer's World Cup.
Japan Times
MORE SPORTS
Jun 12, 2019
Fencers seek Olympic spots
Japan's national team fencers are fired up for the upcoming Asian Championships as they seek to earn spots in the team competitions at next year's Tokyo Olympics.
Japan Times
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Jun 10, 2019
Kosei Tanaka looking to punch way into spotlight
Kosei Tanaka was only a fifth-grader when Kiyoshi Hatanaka first saw him throwing punches.
Japan Times
BASKETBALL / B. League
Jun 3, 2019
Jets star Yuki Togashi breaks ¥100 million barrier
Chiba Jets Funabashi star Yuki Togashi has become a "Million Dollar Man."
Japan Times
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Jun 3, 2019
Japanese runners to get shot at Tokyo 2020 spot during MGC
Olympic marathon trials have always generated major interest among the Japanese public. But the attention will be even greater this year, thanks to the first-ever Marathon Grand Championship.
Japan Times
BASKETBALL
Jun 3, 2019
Japan hunts Olympic gold from beyond arc
With a small-ball approach, Japan's women's basketball team will try to achieve big things.
Japan Times
BASKETBALL
Jun 2, 2019
Japan sweeps Belgium; Saki Hayashi named series MVP
Japan's women's basketball team concluded a two-game exhibition series sweep of Belgium with a 84-71 win at Adastria Mito Arena on Sunday.
Japan Times
BASKETBALL
May 31, 2019
Strong outside shooting carries Japan past Belgium
Japan kept hitting shots from beyond the 3-point line and tamed Belgium 91-75 in the first game of their two-game exhibition series at Adastria Mito Arena on Friday night.
Japan Times
BASKETBALL / B. League
May 31, 2019
B. League's steady growth continues
The B. League continued its steady growth in its third season that concluded on May 11.
Japan Times
BASKETBALL
May 24, 2019
After injury setbacks, Manami Fujioka, Sanae Motokawa enjoying chance to compete for national team
Competition can be a blessing.
Japan Times
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May 21, 2019
Yuko Takahashi shows promise at Yokohama triathlon
Two years ago, Yuko Takahashi moved to San Diego to join an elite multinational triathlon team, seeking to become a legitimate athlete.
Japan Times
BASKETBALL / B. League
May 16, 2019
Jets star Yuki Togashi looks back on banner season, expresses excitement about future
For sure, the game the Chiba Jets Funabashi lost on Saturday was a big one.
Japan Times
BASKETBALL / B. League
May 15, 2019
Jets star Yuki Togashi named B. League MVP
The Chiba Jets Funabashi's diminutive star guard Yuki Togashi just won the biggest individual accolade of his basketball career.
Japan Times
BASKETBALL / B. League
May 12, 2019
Alphas reach B2 after swatting Bee Trains
The B. League third-division runner-up Koshigaya Alphas earned a promotion to the second flight with a crushing 86-64 win over the Hachioji Bee Trains in the B2/B3 promotion playoff game before a crowd of 2,057 at Yokohama Arena on Sunday.
Japan Times
BASKETBALL / B. League
May 11, 2019
Alvark spark plug Yudai Baba rises to occasion in B. League final
On the talented Alvark Tokyo team, youngster Yudai Baba has been more like a sidekick who comes off the bench to provide the team with the spark it needs.
Japan Times
BASKETBALL / B. League
May 11, 2019
B. League, Korean Basketball League cement new partnership
The B. League and Korean Basketball League have agreed to a partnership looking to develop their player development as well as improving their products on and off the court.
Japan Times
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May 10, 2019
Surfers eye 2020 Games while enjoying the ride
A long Golden Week holiday period had just ended the previous day.
Japan Times
BASKETBALL / B. League
May 10, 2019
Alvark, Jets ready for marquee showdown
The Alvark Tokyo and Chiba Jets Funabashi are ready to rumble in their championship game rematch.
Japan Times
BASKETBALL / B. League
May 7, 2019
Jets star Yuki Togashi impresses former Texas Legends coach Tyler Gatlin
While the Chiba Jets Funabashi are loaded with a roster filled with talented players, the team is built around a diminutive point guard: Yuki Togashi.
Japan Times
BASKETBALL / B. League
May 6, 2019
Jets, Brex reap benefits from B. League's top rivalry
In the history of Japanese top-flight men's hoop circuits, there have been certain teams who got extra motivation from playing against each other.
Japan Times
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May 2, 2019
Maya Nakanishi and Shunsuke Itani land deals to endorse prosthetic limbs
Top amputee athletes Maya Nakanishi and Shunsuke Itani feel like they have gotten a boost to aim high with one year to go until the Tokyo Paralympics.

Longform

Sociologist Gracia Liu-Farrer argues that even though immigration doesn't figure into Japan's autobiography, it is more of a self-perception than a reality.
In search of the ‘Japanese dream’