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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
Oct 22, 2017
Shinsuke Kashiwagi takes young Diamond Dolphins under wing
While he may not be officially listed as such, veteran point guard Shinsuke Kashiwagi is a de facto player/coach for the Nagoya Diamond Dolphins.
Japan Times
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Oct 20, 2017
Ryota Murata, Hassan N'Dam ready to rumble in middleweight title rematch
The two fighters used different words and phrases. But their messages were the same: They are ready to box.
Japan Times
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Oct 19, 2017
Daigo Higa, Kenshiro Terachi seek to impress in first title defenses
World champions Daigo Higa and Kenshiro Terachi said that they would not enter the ring to fight for knockouts.
Japan Times
BASKETBALL
Oct 18, 2017
Japanese men prepare for rigorous qualifying schedule
The format for the men's FIBA World Cup qualifiers has been changed from a tournament format to a system that will see teams play each other in home-and-away contests.
Japan Times
BASKETBALL / B. League
Oct 18, 2017
Levanga chief Takehiko Orimo striving to juggle responsibilities
There is probably nobody else in Japan who devotes themselves to basketball as much as Takehiko Orimo, who, at age 47, is still a competitive player and also serves as president of the Levanga Hokkaido.
Japan Times
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Oct 16, 2017
Former Minnesota athletics chief Joel Maturi says Japan can benefit from college sports overhaul
Joel Maturi, an ex-director of athletics for the University of Minnesota, thinks it is "insane" and "crazy" that some of the major NCAA schools make a large amount of money through sports.
Japan Times
BASKETBALL / NBA
Oct 10, 2017
Rakuten, NBA teaming up in media partnership deal
Rakuten, Inc. is active in expanding its brand on a global scale, partnering with some of the world's most famous sports teams like soccer powerhouse FC Barcelona and the reigning NBA champion Golden State Warriors this year.
Japan Times
BASEBALL / Japanese Baseball
Oct 7, 2017
Shohei Otani just beginning to realize true potential
Shohei Otani hasn't had a 20-win season. He hasn't slugged 40 homers in one campaign, either.
Japan Times
BASEBALL / Japanese Baseball
Oct 5, 2017
Fans express mixed feelings as Shohei Otani's move to majors looms
Since he turned pro in 2013, everybody knew that Shohei Otani would set out for the United States to play at the highest level in the major leagues.
Japan Times
TENNIS
Oct 4, 2017
Tech company aiming to fill fans' downtime with private snapshots at sporting events
Competitions, smartphones and social networks. With those three things combined, arenas and stadiums can become more than just a place to enjoy watching sports.
Japan Times
BASKETBALL / B. League
Sep 28, 2017
Brave Thunders focused on positive start to season
There might not be many teams that are as motivated as the Kawasaki Brave Thunders to have a great start to the 2017-18 season.
Japan Times
BASKETBALL / B. League
Sep 27, 2017
B. League names board ahead of new campaign
With its sophomore season set to get underway Friday, the B. League held a regular general assembly to select board members and auditors for a new two-year term, and approved them in a temporary board of directors meeting on Wednesday.
Japan Times
BASEBALL / Japanese Baseball
Sep 24, 2017
Iguchi hits final home run to end career in style
Tadahito Iguchi had insisted that one of the reasons why he was hanging up his cleats was that he could no longer hit home runs as often as he used to.
Japan Times
BASKETBALL
Sep 19, 2017
Tokashiki welcomes every opportunity to learn game, improve as all-around player
Returning to her home nation with an innocent smile, Ramu Tokashiki reflected on what was the biggest challenge of her three-year stint in America.
Japan Times
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Sep 17, 2017
Sports conference offers companies chance to help improve Japan's stadiums and arenas
We have witnessed Japanese athletes develop into global stars over the past 10, 20 years. But the country still has a long way to go in order to stand on an equal footing with the world's most advanced sports facilities.
Japan Times
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Sep 16, 2017
Murata ready for 2nd title shot
Sports competitions are often considered like chess matches, and when you face the same opponent twice, the second time is different because you and your opponent are going to come at each other with different preparation, tactics and strategy.
Japan Times
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Sep 15, 2017
T.League unveils ambitious details for inaugural 2018 season, beyond
With an ambitious goal to eventually become the best table tennis league in the world, the T.League Premier League will kick off in Japan in the fall of 2018.
Japan Times
BASKETBALL / B. League
Sep 11, 2017
B. League hoping to build on success over coming season
The B. League tipped off its inaugural season in lavish fashion last year with a game between the Alvark Tokyo and Ryukyu Golden Kings on an LED court at Yoyogi National Gymnasium.
Japan Times
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Sep 9, 2017
BigBlue continue to progress
IBM BigBlue players and staff were ecstatic after the game and head coach Shinzo Yamada delightfully tapped their shoulders, thanking them for their effort.
Japan Times
TENNIS
Sep 7, 2017
Tennis icon Date concedes defeat in battle against age
Kimiko Date still wanted to stay on the court and play the game she has always loved.

Longform

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