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
Jul 25, 2017
Japan roster unveiled for FIBA Asia Cup
Star guards Yuki Togashi, Makoto Hiejima and Daiki Tanaka headline the Japan men's national team's 12-man roster for the upcoming FIBA Asia Cup, the Japan Basketball Association announced on Tuesday.
Japan Times
MORE SPORTS
Jul 22, 2017
Taguchi looks to fend off Barrera in sixth title defense
Perhaps because he does not have an I'm-a-tough-guy type of character, Ryoichi Taguchi is somewhat underestimated.
Japan Times
BASKETBALL
Jul 21, 2017
New coach Lamas wants Japan to play fast-breaking style
At long last, the Japan men's national team can legitimately begin its developmental project as its skipper has finally stepped onto the boat.
Japan Times
BASKETBALL
Jul 19, 2017
Japan adjusts Asia Cup approach with star player Tokashiki absent
When the Japan Basketball Association announced its 12-player women's national team squad for the upcoming FIBA Asia Cup in Bangalore, India, a couple of weeks ago, it came as a bit of a surprise, because it did not list the name of star player Ramu Tokashiki, who is arguably the nation's No. 1 player....
Japan Times
MORE SPORTS
Jul 18, 2017
UFC plots growing presence in Asia, beyond
The Ultimate Fighting Championship is returning to Japan after a two-year absence on Sept. 23, when it will host UFC Fight Night Japan at Saitama Super Arena.
Japan Times
BASKETBALL
Jul 12, 2017
Japan gears up for Olympic push while awaiting new coach Lamas
The Japanese men's national basketball team needs to prove it can be more competitive in order to secure a spot at the Olympics in Tokyo, and there's no time to waste.
Japan Times
BASKETBALL
Jul 6, 2017
Staley pleased with South Carolina's play against Japan
The University of South Carolina Gamecocks women's basketball team, the reigning NCAA champions, recently completed a tour of Tokyo that included three scrimmages against Japan's women's national team and a little time off the court to experience Japanese culture and get a feel for the city where the...
Japan Times
SPORTS
Jun 29, 2017
Plan to reform Japanese college sports greeted with mixture of hope, skepticism
Discussions over the introduction of a "Japanese version of the NCAA" to oversee this country's collegiate sports have prompted positive and negative reactions since they began last year.
Japan Times
BASKETBALL / B. League
Jun 26, 2017
Champion Brex to face SeaHorses on opening day of B. League season
A marquee matchup between the Tochigi Brex and SeaHorses Mikawa will headline the opening week of the B. League's second season, the league announced Monday.
Japan Times
BASKETBALL
Jun 23, 2017
Prolific winner Sako, a JBL legend, joins national team coaching staff
The Japan Basketball Association announced on Friday that former star guard Kenichi Sako has been hired as an assistant coach for the men's national team.
Japan Times
MORE SPORTS
Jun 19, 2017
Inoue, Gonzalez ready to make splash in U.S.
Japanese youngster Naoya Inoue and former pound-for-pound No. 1 fighter Roman Gonzalez will both enter the ring with extremely high motivation — but for different reasons — when they compete in their respective bouts on Sept. 9 on the West Coast of the United States.
Japan Times
MORE SPORTS
Jun 18, 2017
Seagulls quarterback Woolsey working to help team return to glory
The X League has become a more quarterback-driven circuit with the influx of Americans signal-callers in recent years.
Japan Times
BASKETBALL
Jun 16, 2017
3x3 PREMIER.EXE hopes to capitalize on game's inclusion in Tokyo Olympics, broaden popularity
With an optimistic outlook, the 3x3 PREMIER.EXE begins its fourth season on Saturday.
Japan Times
MORE SPORTS
Jun 14, 2017
Sato revels in glow of historic Indy 500 triumph
Takuma Sato joked that he has had a little too much milk since the great feat he accomplished on May 28 — when he became the first Japanese and Asian driver to win the prestigious Indianapolis 500.
Japan Times
MORE SPORTS
Jun 8, 2017
Murata resumes training with focus on getting better
Ryota Murata said in a positive tone that the only thing he did not earn in his first world title shot was the belt, adding that he believes he did not lose anything.
Japan Times
MORE SPORTS
Jun 7, 2017
Yamanaka set to battle Nery in bid to tie title defense mark
When Shinsuke Yamanaka began boxing in high school, all he wanted to do was become a world champion. He accomplished that, but never thought his reign would last this long.
Japan Times
BASKETBALL
Jun 4, 2017
JBA creates support system for national squad
Having missed out on the chance to play in its first Olympics in over four decades in 2016, and with the Summer Games heading to Japan in 2020, the Japan Basketball Association has made it a priority to do whatever possible in order to restore the strength of the men’s team.
Japan Times
BASKETBALL / B. League
May 30, 2017
Brave Thunders' Fazekas receives MVP accolade at festive award show
Were the title game and the promotion/demotion contest the grand finale of the memorial inaugural season for the B. League?
Japan Times
MORE SPORTS
May 29, 2017
Workers embrace Square Mile Relay Tokyo
Marunouchi is the district located right next to Tokyo Station where you will see a lot of business people in suits and ties on weekdays.
Japan Times
BASKETBALL / B. League
May 28, 2017
B-Corsairs beat Dragonflies to maintain first-division status
The Yokohama B-Corsairs successfully survived the humiliating prospect of demotion to the second division in the B. League's inaugural season with a 74-53 victory over the Hiroshima Dragonflies in the promotion/demotion game at Yoyogi National Gymnasium on Sunday afternoon.

Longform

Construction takes place on the Takanawa Gateway Convention Center in Tokyo, slated to open in 2025.
A boom for business tourism in Japan?