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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
Apr 17, 2017
Brave Thunders keen to learn lesson
With the best record in the entire league right now, the Kawasaki Brave Thunders have a legit chance to win the inaugural B. League championship.
Japan Times
BASKETBALL
Apr 13, 2017
Argentine Lamas hired as new Japan men's national team basketball coach
Julio Lamas has assumed the head coaching position for the Japan men's national squad, the Japan Basketball Association officially announced on Thursday.
Japan Times
Figure Skating
Apr 12, 2017
'No regrets' as Mao bids farewell
Mao Asada graciously answered every question she was asked during a news conference on Wednesday, her first public appearance since announcing her retirement from figure skating two days earlier in a post on her blog.
Japan Times
BASKETBALL
Apr 12, 2017
Japan women's basketball coach Hovasse enjoying life's twists
Twenty seven years ago, Tom Hovasse arrived in Japan to play basketball. He would go on to become a star in the top Japanese league, but he never envisioned how his life would turn out.
Japan Times
MORE SPORTS
Apr 7, 2017
JAAF looking to raise bar for nation's male sprinters
The Japan men's 4x100-meter relay team stunned the world by capturing the silver medal at last summer's Rio de Janeiro Olympics. And that feat made its compatriots think the future is bright for the nation's sprinters for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and beyond.
Japan Times
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Apr 4, 2017
Super flyweight champ Inoue keeps focus on future overseas opportunities
Naoya Inoue dismissed recent hearsay that his motivation had declined after Roman Gonzalez suffered a stunning loss.
Japan Times
MORE SPORTS
Apr 3, 2017
Murata excited to finally get chance to fight for title
London Olympic boxing gold medalist Ryota Murata will get his first world title shot when he meets WBA interim middleweight champion Hassan N'Dam for the vacant title on May 20 at Ariake Colosseum, his Teiken Gym announced on Monday.
Japan Times
MORE SPORTS
Apr 2, 2017
Japanese collegiate sports study ends Phase 1
Japan is currently working to reform college sports and establish its own version of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), creating athletic departments at universities to help it function more efficiently.
Japan Times
BASKETBALL
Mar 26, 2017
Final Four excitement sinks in for Gonzaga trailblazer Hachimura
Rui Hachimura moved to the United States last year with a big dream to eventually become an NBA player. In order to achieve that, he will have to excel at college level.
Japan Times
BASEBALL
Mar 17, 2017
Seasoned, confident Dutch team focused on winning
These Dutch are hot and dangerous right now.
Japan Times
BASEBALL
Mar 15, 2017
Humble Uchikawa happy to play pinch-hit role for Samurai Japan
Usually one of the main players for his club, Seiichi Uchikawa has been given just one at-bat per game for his country during the World Baseball Classic, as a lethal weapon coming off the bench as a pinch hitter.
Japan Times
BASEBALL
Mar 13, 2017
Israel's Fuld seizing chance to play at WBC with both hands
Team Israel outfielder Sam Fuld is as appreciative as any player in the World Baseball Classic to be able to hit the diamond and play the game.
Japan Times
BASKETBALL
Mar 13, 2017
Dominant Sunflowers finish season unbeaten
The Jx-Eneos Sunflowers are perhaps the most dominant sports team in Japan today.
Japan Times
BASEBALL
Mar 12, 2017
Israel's WBC success story making waves at home
The Israel fans took up only a small number of the seats at Tokyo Dome, which holds over 45,000 people, but they still made their presence felt by making a lot of noise and waving the Star of David flag during Sunday's game against Cuba at the World Baseball Classic.
Japan Times
BASEBALL
Mar 11, 2017
Samurai Japan slugger Nakata embraces aggressive approach at the plate
When a slugger swings so hard and misses, it's often a good sign.
Japan Times
BASEBALL
Mar 10, 2017
Buck Martinez looks back on inaugural WBC, remains pleased with global growth of game
Former Team USA skipper Buck Martinez said he recalls everything from the game in Anaheim, California, where his team and manager Sadaharu Oh's Japan squad squared off in the second round of the inaugural World Baseball Classic in 2006.
Japan Times
BASEBALL
Mar 9, 2017
Panamanian-born Chen returns to mound to honor Chinese ancestors
This isn't the first time that ex-major league pitcher Bruce Chen has donned a national team jersey to play in the World Baseball Classic. The left-hander competed for his native Panama in the first two tournaments in 2006 and 2009.
Japan Times
BASEBALL
Mar 8, 2017
Leader Aoki proves worth in Samurai Japan's opening win
Norichika Aoki definitely made a big contribution to Japan's 11-6 win over Cuba in their World Baseball Classic Pool B opener at Tokyo Dome on Tuesday night.
Japan Times
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Mar 2, 2017
Yamanaka defends bantamweight title for 12th time, moves within win of matching Gushiken record
As everyone had predicted, Carlos Carlson was no match for "God's Left."
Japan Times
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Feb 28, 2017
Challenger Carlson, champion Yamanaka express confidence ahead of WBC bantamweight title bout
Mexican challenger Carlos Carlson declared that he would take Shinsuke Yamanaka's WBC bantamweight title belt when they square off at Ryogoku Kokugikan on Thursday evening.

Longform

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