Kaz Nagatsuka - The Japan Times

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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

BASKETBALL / NBL NOTEBOOK

Mar 14, 2014

Hall looks on bright side during trying season

A year after he was on a team that had its hands on a possible NCAA men's national championship, American Carl Hall is on a club that struggles to get even a single victory in Japan.

Japan Times

MORE SPORTS

Mar 7, 2014

Abuse of Dolphins trainer Inoue revealed in NFL report regrettable

The alleged harassment in the Miami Dolphins locker room became one of the biggest off-gridiron topics in contemporary NFL history.

Japan Times

SOCCER / J. League

Mar 1, 2014

J. League seeks to widen scope in Asia

As two decades have now elapsed since its inception, the J. League is entering a new era.

Japan Times

BASKETBALL / NBL NOTEBOOK

Feb 25, 2014

Geary, Jets hoping to overcome NBL turbulence

The Chiba Jets have been hit with a severe reality — that much is certain. But that's something they expected when they defected from the bj-league to the NBL before this season.

Japan Times

BASKETBALL

Feb 19, 2014

Encouragement, advice helped steer Watanabe to GWU

The recent decision by promising basketball prospect Yuta Watanabe to attend George Washington University next season came as bright news for his home country.

Japan Times

BASKETBALL

Feb 16, 2014

Team effort gives SeaHorses win over Sunrockers

The Aisin SeaHorses took advantage of their deep roster and had five players scoring in double digits in a 84-74 win over the Hitachi Sunrockers at Ota City Gymnasium on Sunday.

Japan Times

BASKETBALL / NBL NOTEBOOK

Feb 13, 2014

Change of scenery helps Wakayama's Kawamura grow into all-around standout

Takuya Kawamura has been known as one of the best Japanese offensive machines in the last several years, winning multiple scoring titles in the Japan Basketball League, the predecessor of the NBL.

Japan Times

MORE SPORTS

Feb 12, 2014

Murata growing in confidence, improving overall boxing skills

With only 10 days until his third professional fight, former Olympic boxing champion Ryota Murata showed no signs of jitters. But he demonstrated his developing confidence.

Japan Times

MORE SPORTS

Feb 7, 2014

Volleyball coach Sato speaks out after dismissal

You are given a big project and asked for a long-term commitment. And then you are ousted based on your short-term showing?

Japan Times

MORE SPORTS

Feb 6, 2014

Nanbu takes control of men's national volleyball team

A day after the stunning news of Gary Sato's dismissal, the Japan Volleyball Association announced Thursday that Masashi Nanbu would replace the American as the men's national team head coach.

Japan Times

BASKETBALL

Feb 5, 2014

Watanabe opts to go to George Washington U.

Japanese basketball phenom Yuta Watanabe will commit to George Washington University next season, he revealed on his Twitter account on Tuesday.

Japan Times

MORE SPORTS

Jan 31, 2014

X League's Deers begin new life as club team

In 2014, the Deers will play in new colors — orange and white.

Japan Times

MORE SPORTS

Jan 29, 2014

Pro Bowl week improves Japanese coaches' football knowledge

A pair of Japanese coaches once again had the opportunity to experience football's highest level by being a part of Pro Bowl activities last week in Hawaii. This is the fourth consecutive year that the program has been held by the NFL in conjunction with the Hawaiian Tourism Authority.

Japan Times

BASKETBALL / NBL NOTEBOOK

Jan 28, 2014

Toshiba sharpshooter Tsuji continues rise to prominence

Toshiba Brave Thunders' Naoto Tsuji is arguably the most prolific player among the NBL's sophomore class in the 2013-14 season.

Japan Times

BASKETBALL

Jan 20, 2014

'Mr. Basketball' back on court in new role

Putting his honorable nickname behind him, Kenichi Sako is beginning a new adventure, though it may not proceed as smoothly as it did when he was a player.

Japan Times

BASEBALL

Jan 17, 2014

Nomo inducted into Japanese Baseball Hall of Fame

People don't remember Hideo Nomo by his records. They remember him as a trailblazer.

Japan Times

BASKETBALL / NBL NOTEBOOK

Jan 15, 2014

Coach Hill brings patience, positivity to Tsukuba Robots

Asked what brought him over to Japan to take a head coaching job, Donte' Hill assertively answered with one word: basketball.

Japan Times

BASKETBALL

Jan 13, 2014

Toshiba edges Toyota Motors for Emperor's Cup title

When a big title is on the line, a winner is often decided by how resilient it is.

Japan Times

BASKETBALL

Jan 12, 2014

Sunflowers reign supreme in Empress' Cup

The JX-Eneos Sunflowers captured the Empress' Cup, which, according to their veteran point guard Asami Yoshida, had always belonged to them.

Japan Times

BASKETBALL

Jan 11, 2014

Alvark roar back to reach All-Japan Championship final

The Alvark looked dead and buried early on in the game. But still they found a way to survive.

You can often see generations of families enjoying performances together at Fuji Rock Festival.

Japan’s summer music festivals are feeling the heat in more ways than one

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'

By Tomoko Otake

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