author

 
 
 Kaz Nagatsuka

Meta

Twitter

@kaznagatsuka

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
BASKETBALL
Feb 27, 2019
Akatsuki Five journey from agony to ecstasy
The Akatsuki Five players were beaming on Sunday after they accomplished their feat, booking a ticket to this summer's FIBA World Cup.
Japan Times
Rugby
Feb 26, 2019
Fukuroi ready to welcome fans for Rugby World Cup
When it comes to international sports, the cozy western Shizuoka Prefecture town of Fukuroi has already been there and done that.
Japan Times
BASKETBALL
Feb 25, 2019
Triumphant Akatsuki Five return after accomplishing World Cup mission
When Japan clinched a berth for the second round of FIBA World Cup qualifying last July in Taiwan, Nick Fazekas said that the Akatsuki Five had accomplished their mission.
Japan Times
Rugby
Feb 21, 2019
Organizing committee chief Akira Shimazu hopes World Cup will be catalyst for growth
With half a year to go until the first-ever Rugby World Cup in Asia, organizing committee chief Akira Shimazu insisted that the hosts are focused on making the tournament in Japan a "ground-breaking" event.
Japan Times
BASKETBALL
Feb 18, 2019
Orimo continues to speak mind about Japan
Legendary star player Takehiko Orimo has always been brutally honest and outspoken about Japanese basketball, and his stance on the Akatsuki Five is no different.
Japan Times
BASKETBALL
Feb 14, 2019
Japan women begin road to 3x3 World Cup with training camp
Japan's women aren't just eyeing a podium finish in traditional 5-on-5 basketball at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, they're also aiming for a medal in the newly introduced 3x3 competition.
Japan Times
BASKETBALL
Feb 12, 2019
Japan squad set for big challenges
The players and staff seemed relaxed. That is a good indication of their state of mind as they get into the final window of the FIBA World Cup Asian qualifiers.
Japan Times
MORE SPORTS
Feb 6, 2019
Amateur coaches feted at annual gala
The Japan Coaches Association rewarded amateur coaches who accomplished remarkable feats in 2018 during the sixth annual Japan Coaches' Awards ceremony on Sunday in Tokyo.
Japan Times
BASKETBALL
Feb 5, 2019
Japan prepares for crucial FIBA World Cup qualifiers at Iran, Qatar
With a significant pair of wins during the previous window of the Asian qualifiers in Toyama late last year, the Akatsuki Five got much closer to clinching a berth for this summer's FIBA World Cup finals in China.
Japan Times
BASKETBALL / B. League
Feb 3, 2019
Former college, JBL teammates Igarashi, Kashiwagi enjoying reunion in Niigata
Star guards Kei Igarashi and Shinsuke Kashiwagi were reunited this season and are cherishing the opportunity to once again don the same jersey, this time for the Central Division-leading Niigata Albirex BB.
Japan Times
OLYMPICS
Jan 30, 2019
Organizing committee outlines ticket sales
The organizing committee for next summer's Tokyo Olympics revealed the process for domestic ticket sales and detailed ticket prices for each sport on Wednesday.
Japan Times
MORE SPORTS
Jan 29, 2019
Marquee meet provides valuable testing ground for Japanese fencers
They do not have ample time to develop before the Tokyo Olympics. But Japanese fencers and their coaches are in no rush.
Japan Times
MORE SPORTS
Jan 28, 2019
Rikako Ikee honored as Japan's swimmer of the year
The Japan Swimming Federation hosted the annual Aquatics Awards on Monday evening in Tokyo, celebrating achievements by its elite athletes in 2018.
Japan Times
MORE SPORTS
Jan 24, 2019
Japan Fencing Federation staging three-day FIE World Cup meet this weekend in Tokyo
With increased popularity and a rise in the competition level of fencing in Japan in recent years, the battle to secure spots for next year's Olympics in Tokyo will not be easy.
Japan Times
BASKETBALL / B. League
Jan 19, 2019
Shooting guard Naoto Tsuji's return from shoulder injury a big boost for Brave Thunders
The Kawasaki Brave Thunders desperately needed this man to make a championship run — Naoto Tsuji.
Japan Times
BASKETBALL
Jan 13, 2019
Jets win Emperor's Cup in overtime thriller
Diminutive star Yuki Togashi ended the nail-biting, seesaw game with a clutch shot.
Japan Times
BASKETBALL
Jan 12, 2019
Scoring sensation Keisei Tominaga emerges as new high school star
Sakuragaoka Gakuen High School earned its first medal in the Winter Cup boys competition late last month.
Japan Times
MORE SPORTS
Jan 10, 2019
Saori Yoshida retires with head held high
Wrestling legend Saori Yoshida is recognized as a remarkable winner for what she accomplished on the mat.
Japan Times
MORE SPORTS
Jan 9, 2019
'Shoe wars' target Japan's endurance runners
As the Tokyo-Hakone Round-Trip College Ekiden Race has grown into one of Japan's biggest sporting competitions, the event has increasingly become somewhat of a showcase event for running shoe manufacturers.
Japan Times
MORE SPORTS
Jan 2, 2019
Nasukawa, Rizin reflect after Mayweather bout
Was it a one-night spectacle? Or was it a freak show?

Longform

Akiko Trush says her experience with the neurological disorder dystonia left her feeling like she wanted to chop her own hand off.
The neurological disorder that 'kills culture'