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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 / B. League
Dec 3, 2017
Osaka Evessa top B. League earnings chart after inaugural season
The Osaka Evessa topped all 36 clubs in revenue in the inaugural B. League season last year with about ¥1.17 billion, followed by the Tochigi Brex, Kawasaki Brave Thunders and Chiba Jets, the league revealed earlier this week.
Japan Times
MORE SPORTS
Nov 28, 2017
Middleweight champ Ryota Murata training for first title defense
Ryota Murata said that the biggest difference since he became a champion is that taxi drivers are surprised to see him when they look at the back seat of their cars.
Japan Times
MORE SPORTS
Nov 26, 2017
Frontiers overcome stingy Seagulls to reach Japan X Bowl
Fujitsu quarterback Colby Cameron ran for a touchdown just over two minutes into the game in his team's first drive of the day.
Japan Times
BASKETBALL
Nov 24, 2017
Philippines holds off Japan in spirited FIBA World Cup qualifying opener
Japan delivered a gritty performance to bounce back from its early struggles, but wound up losing its opening 2019 FIBA World Cup qualifier.
Japan Times
OLYMPICS
Nov 22, 2017
Sapporo considers bid to host 2026 Olympics
The city of Sapporo has expressed its interest in bringing the Winter Olympics back to Japan's northern island in 2026.
Japan Times
BASEBALL / Japanese Baseball
Nov 20, 2017
MLB scouts keep tabs on young players at APBC
There were no elite players like Shohei Otani or Yoshitomo Tsutsugo, but the Asia Professional Baseball Championship served as a good showcase for MLB scouts to try and identify some up-and-coming, and possibly future MLB, talent.
Japan Times
BASKETBALL / B. League
Nov 18, 2017
Dikembe Mutombo spreads positive message as Special Olympics ambassador
As a player, Dikembe Mutombo made a big difference for his teams with his signature shot-blocking skills.
Japan Times
BASEBALL / Japanese Baseball
Nov 17, 2017
BayStars unveil plans for Yokohama Stadium expansion, renovation
Since taking over as the operator of Yokohama Stadium before the 2016 season, the Yokohama DeNA BayStars have hammered out a grand plan to transform the venue into a more attractive community ballpark.
Japan Times
BASEBALL / Japanese Baseball
Nov 15, 2017
Samurai Japan ready for Asian test as Atsunori Inaba makes managerial debut
One day before the inaugural Asia Professional Baseball Championship begins, all three participating nations made their final tuneups with high expectations at the tournament venue, Tokyo Dome, on Wednesday.
Japan Times
BASKETBALL
Nov 15, 2017
WJBL star Yuko Oga keen to contribute even after retiring from playing
Star player Yuko Oga is bringing the curtain down on her storied career at the end of this season.
Japan Times
BASEBALL / Japanese Baseball
Nov 9, 2017
Hawks infielders Nobuhiro Matsuda and Kenta Imamiya headline Golden Glove Awards
The Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks had the golden touch during the regular season, postseason and Japan Series.
Japan Times
BASKETBALL
Nov 8, 2017
Talented Naoki Uto ready to grab long-awaited national team chance
With his exceptional height and confidence, Naoki Uto could add a new dimension to the Japan men's national basketball team.
Japan Times
BASEBALL / Japanese Baseball
Nov 5, 2017
Hawks finally prevail after epic Japan Series
The Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks wrapped up the 2017 Japan Series at Yafuoku Dome on Saturday by capturing their eighth overall title — fourth in the last seven years — after defeating the Yokohama BayStars in a hard-fought Game 6.
Japan Times
BASEBALL / Japanese Baseball / NPB NOTEBOOK
Nov 3, 2017
BayStars closer Yasuaki Yamasaki embraces pressure of must-win games
The BayStars fans at Yokohama Stadium know what to expect when the team enters the bottom of the ninth inning with a small lead.
Japan Times
BASEBALL / Japanese Baseball / NPB NOTEBOOK
Oct 31, 2017
Kajitani, BayStars remain positive as series resumes in Yokohama
Despite his team getting off to an 0-2 start in the ongoing Japan Series, Yokohama BayStars outfielder Takayuki Kajitani held his head up high as the series resumed at Yokohama Stadium for Tuesday's Game 3.
Japan Times
BASEBALL / Japanese Baseball
Oct 29, 2017
Victory only thing that matters for Hawks star Seiichi Uchikawa
"Winning is everything" is a cliche you often hear from players and coaches in postseason baseball.
Japan Times
BASEBALL / Japanese Baseball / NPB NOTEBOOK
Oct 28, 2017
Hawks believe quick-strike offense a big key to Japan Series success
The Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks will try to strike first, scoring runs early, so they can play their own brand of ball in the 2017 Japan Series.
Japan Times
BASEBALL / Japanese Baseball
Oct 27, 2017
Hawks' Seiichi Uchikawa, BayStars' Yoshitomo Tsutsugo determined to deliver quality Japan Series
While one team is no stranger to the biggest stage, the other squad returned there for the first time in nearly two decades.
Japan Times
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Oct 25, 2017
Sprinter Yoshihide Kiryu dealing with new expectations after breaking 10-second mark
Boosted by a nearly ideal tailwind of 1.8 meters per second, Yoshihide Kiryu sprinted across the finish line and glanced at the time clock, anticipating that he might have just achieved something big.
Japan Times
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Oct 22, 2017
Ryota Murata beats Hassan N'Dam in rematch to claim WBA middleweight world title
Olympic gold medalist Ryota Murata has obtained another shining treasure.

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