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November 22, 2024
 

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John Gunning
Japan Times
SUMO / INSIDE SUMO
May 26, 2021
Thrilling Summer Basho showed sumo's potential to entertain
Terunofuji continued his remarkable comeback with his fourth title, but that was far from the only storyline that mesmerized fans over 15 days at Ryogoku Kokugikan.
Japan Times
SUMO / INSIDE SUMO
May 19, 2021
Busting myths: Sumo grapples with persistent urban legends
From exaggerated depictions in popular media to unverified internet rumors, many aspects of the sport and its traditions remain far from understood by the public at large.
Japan Times
SUMO / INSIDE SUMO
May 13, 2021
Foreign sumo fans finding ways to make voices heard
When sumo goes through a crisis the voices calling loudest for needed change and the protection of rikishi are often those from abroad.
Japan Times
SUMO
May 7, 2021
Comeback king Terunofuji poised to reach even greater heights
With Hakuho out and Kakuryu retired, Terunofuji will go into every fight over the next basho or two as the favorite and has a genuine shot at a future promotion to yokozuna.
Japan Times
SUMO / INSIDE SUMO
Apr 28, 2021
Sumo's living history traced through its banzuke
The ranking sheets, which have been produced since the 18th century, serve not only as keepsakes but as snapshots of the sport's changes over time.
Japan Times
SUMO / INSIDE SUMO
Apr 21, 2021
Controversial report could deny Hakuho deserved elder stock
Should the Japan Sumo Association adopt the recommendations of the external advisors, the all-time great yokozuna would be prevented from using his ring name after retiring.
Japan Times
SUMO / INSIDE SUMO
Apr 14, 2021
Takakeisho rises to top of sumo's depth chart
With age and momentum on his side, the burly ozeki has what it takes to add to his two Emperor's Cup titles over the next several years.
Japan Times
SUMO / INSIDE SUMO
Apr 7, 2021
Late Kototsurugi's illustrations captured sumo's essence
The former rikishi's caricaturish style, a longtime fixture of sumo merchandise and media, is widely considered a definitive representation of the sport.
Japan Times
SUMO / INSIDE SUMO
Mar 31, 2021
Terunofuji redefines legacy with historic return to ozeki rank
The Mongolian, who just two years ago was fighting in sumo's second-lowest division, is now being hyped as the next potential yokozuna after his Spring Basho triumph.
Japan Times
SUMO / INSIDE SUMO
Mar 25, 2021
Yokozuna Kakuryu had serene journey through sumo’s often treacherous straits
Kakuryu's nature never allowed him to play the black hat role, and his style of sumo, and gradual ascent to the top, also meant that he flew under the radar for many.
Japan Times
SUMO / INSIDE SUMO
Mar 17, 2021
Fall of Azumazeki stable represents tragic loss for professional sumo
Established in 1986 by former sekiwake Takamiyama, Azumazeki was the first heya in history to be run by a foreign-born stablemaster.
Japan Times
SUMO
Mar 12, 2021
Hakuho eyes makuuchi milestone while Asanoyama seeks chance of promotion at Spring Basho
The tournament, which was relocated from Osaka to Tokyo to reduce the risk of COVID-19 infections, will be the first to feature a yokozuna since July.
Japan Times
SUMO / INSIDE SUMO
Mar 3, 2021
Hakuho Cup may allow Hakuho to leave indelible mark on sumo from outside ring
With the release of the banzuke (rankings) for the upcoming spring meet, yokozuna Hakuho becomes just the second man in sumo history to reach 100 tournaments in the top division.
Japan Times
SUMO / INSIDE SUMO
Feb 24, 2021
'Air sumo' tournament offers hope for amateur sport's future
A unique online competition, established due to the inability to hold amateur meets in person due to the pandemic, is aiming to cast a rare spotlight on form and technique.
Japan Times
SUMO / INSIDE SUMO
Feb 17, 2021
Heart-pounding tachiai endures as key piece of sumo puzzle
The initial clash when two rikishi come together is a moment that has few (if any) parallels in the wider world of sport.
Japan Times
SUMO / INSIDE SUMO
Feb 10, 2021
Spring Basho's Tokyo relocation a loss for Kansai-area sumo fans
Even though the March tournament will go ahead this year, the fact that it will be in Tokyo rather than Osaka means the annual event will be missing some of its trademarks.
Japan Times
SUMO / INSIDE SUMO
Feb 3, 2021
Interesting facts about sumo's 13 living former yokozuna
With the passing of Tochinoumi on Jan. 29 there are now just 15 surviving active or retired yokozuna.
Japan Times
SUMO / INSIDE SUMO
Jan 27, 2021
Fake news becoming real issue for foreign sumo fans
Online information about sumo has increasingly been falling victim to many of the same issues that plague mainstream news.
Japan Times
SUMO / INSIDE SUMO
Jan 20, 2021
Shocking concussion incident should be wake-up call for sumo
The indifference shown by referees to the head injury sustained by third-tier wrestler Shonannoumi on Tuesday drew criticism from fans and journalists alike.
Japan Times
SUMO / INSIDE SUMO
Jan 13, 2021
Sumo stables deserve more scrutiny after wrestler's shock retirement
The decision by Kotokantetsu to leave the sport rather than risk infection with the coronavirus at the New Year Basho has resulted in a wave of outrage against the Japan Sumo Association.
Two of America’s biggest debt holders are dumping Treasurys
The U.S. Treasury building in Washington. Investors in Japan and China sold a pile of U.S. debt in the last quarter, just before the U.S. presidential election.
Ishiba aggravates his own political failures with diplomatic faux pas
Prime Minster Shigeru Ishiba is greeted at the APEC summit in Lima by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Friday. The Japanese leader was criticized for remaining seated while meeting several world leaders at the event.
Japan's 3.31 million visitors in October set monthly record
Kiyomizu Temple in Kyoto in December 2023. Famous autumn leaf colors contributed to increased tourism demand last month from many markets across Asia, Europe and North America, the Japan National Tourism Organization has said.
Japan ranks last in romance satisfaction for second straight year
In a survey of 31 countries, Japan ranked last in terms of those who felt loved, with just 51% of respondents saying so.
Ruling coalition and DPP strike last-minute deal over economic policy
DPP policy chief Makoto Mahaguchi speaks at the party's policy gathering in Tokyo on Wednesday.
Japan, U.K. and Italy discuss inviting more countries to joint fighter project
A new concept model of a next-generation fighter jet to be jointly developed by Japan, Britain and Italy is on display in Farnborough, Hampshire, in July.
Haruki Murakami's 'The City and Its Uncertain Walls' gives deep deja vu
For “The City and Its Uncertain Walls,” translated into English by Philip Gabriel, Haruki Murakami confronts the ghosts who won't leave him alone.
Japanese expats in Asia find community through rugby
The Taiwan Fivewoods celebrate their victory at the 2023 Asian Japanese Rugby Cup in December of last year.
In Fukushima, a weekend of prose, poetry and translation
Aomori-based writer JJ Carter presented on tabletop gaming as creative inspiration for building characters and narratives.
For Dr. Nakamats, aging is just experience in action
Though he didn't win the recent gubernatorial election in Tokyo, the 96-year-old Dr. Nakamats' run was seen as inspirational in Japan's aging society.

Podcast

One of the many entrances to the Kabukicho neighborhood in Tokyo’s Shinjuku Ward.
Kabukicho: Tokyo’s ‘stadium of desire’

Longform

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

SUSTAINABLE JAPAN

mission sustainability vol.12 : Kose Corp.Kose takes pride in creating beauty in the world
mission sustainability vol.12 : Kose Corp.Kose takes pride in creating beauty in the world

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