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July 16, 2024
 

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John Gunning
Japan Times
SUMO / INSIDE SUMO
Aug 12, 2020
Nishikifuji's promotion to jūryō to be among most memorable moments of sumo life
Life isn't going to be all milk and honey for the city of Towada's new favorite son, however.
Japan Times
SUMO / INSIDE SUMO
Aug 5, 2020
Terunofuji completed what may be sumo's most unlikely comeback ever
Terunofuji not only fell out of the paid divisions, after a series of injuries and illnesses, but plummeted all the way down to sumo's second lowest tier.
Japan Times
SUMO
Jul 29, 2020
History shows Abi's flouting of virus protocols will likely be last straw for Japan Sumo Association
Many of those who have transgressed against the JSA's myriad rules (whether official or unwritten) in the past have found themselves out of the sport in short order.
Japan Times
SUMO / INSIDE SUMO
Jul 22, 2020
July meet could go down as one of most important in sumo history
Less than a third of the way through 15 days of action at Tokyo's Ryogoku Kokugikan there are talking points aplenty.
Japan Times
SUMO / Basho reports
Jul 16, 2020
Upcoming July Basho could be fascinating, unpredictable affair
It's hard to know just what kind of physical or mental condition rikishi will be in when things kick off at Ryogoku Kokugikan on July 19.
Japan Times
SUMO / INSIDE SUMO
Jul 15, 2020
JSA's decision to let fans attend July Basho catches everyone off guard
Few insiders had expected sumo's governing body to allow the public back in so soon.
Japan Times
SUMO / INSIDE SUMO
Jul 8, 2020
Sumo's unique kanreki ceremonies provide windows into past
It's looking increasingly likely that it could be December (or even 2021) before Isegahama will be able to don the red rope.
Japan Times
SUMO / INSIDE SUMO
Jul 1, 2020
Heart by far most important factor toward achieving success in grueling world of sumo
In a sport where bouts are over in a matter of seconds, any kind of doubt or hesitation inevitably leads to a loss.
Japan Times
SUMO / INSIDE SUMO
Jun 24, 2020
State of sumo content online leaves much to be desired
The JSA would be wise to start taking advantage of its 'back catalog' and making footage of bouts and tournaments of the past available online.
Japan Times
SUMO / INSIDE SUMO
Jun 17, 2020
Gaming world remains land of untapped potential for sumo
Putting a sport in front of the eyeballs of the younger generation guarantees much higher rates of engagement and participation at all levels.
Japan Times
SUMO / INSIDE SUMO
Jun 10, 2020
Coronavirus will force sumo fans and wrestlers to adjust to new normal
Things won't be the same when sumo resumes amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
Japan Times
SUMO / INSIDE SUMO
Jun 3, 2020
Wrestlers with amateur backgrounds may begin to make mark in near future
Wajima is the only former collegian to reach sumo's highest rank
Japan Times
SUMO / INSIDE SUMO
May 27, 2020
Yusei Nakanishi gets new shikona, but what's in a ring name?
Ring name changes are not unusual, and regularly happen upon significant promotions, or as a way of changing luck after a string of bad results.
Japan Times
SUMO / INSIDE SUMO
May 20, 2020
Who should be engraved on sumo's Mount Rushmore?
If Hakuho and Futabayama are locks, then who should occupy the remaining two slots is far less clear.
Japan Times
SUMO / INSIDE SUMO
May 13, 2020
Fans have to turn to other options for their sumo fix during virus-related down period
Books, movies and the internet are among things sumo fans can use to pass time until the action in the ring resumes
Japan Times
SUMO / INSIDE SUMO
May 6, 2020
Canceled Summer Basho's rankings will likely carry over to July
This month's tournament may have been called off, but the Japan Sumo Association will likely keep its banzuke sheet untouched for the next meet.
Japan Times
SUMO / INSIDE SUMO
Apr 29, 2020
Sumo feels impact of COVID-19 but escapes major financial hit plaguing other sports
Sumo’s bi-monthly nature may have exempted it from the financial pressures that are hitting other sports hard, but the ongoing pandemic is still having an impact on the sport.
Japan Times
SUMO / INSIDE SUMO
Apr 23, 2020
Long layoffs could prove detrimental to amateur and pro rikishi
The cancellations caused by the coronavirus will likely have an adverse effect on the sumo world.
Japan Times
SUMO / INSIDE SUMO
Apr 15, 2020
Asanoyama strong favorite to become sumo's next hot star
With the sport mostly at a standstill due to the coronavirus pandemic, the upcoming NFL Draft inspires Japan Times sumo columnist John Gunning to again consider his top rikishi selections.
Japan Times
SUMO / INSIDE SUMO
Apr 10, 2020
Sumo's rigid lifestyle offers bubble of protection against coronavirus disruption
With just one case of infection and wrestlers already living in a state of near-isolation, professional sumo may survive the COVID-19 pandemic without a significant decrease in the level of competition.
Who needs AI when you have Hatsune Miku?
Over the first six months of 2024, a handful of songs using Vocaloid singer Hatsune Miku’s voice have enjoyed widespread attention, underlining a global interest in the character and the technology she represents.
Bloodied Trump survives assassination attempt at political rally
Former U.S. President Donald Trump is surrounded and evacuated by Secret Service agents at a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, on Saturday. Trump was rushed off stage at the rally after shots rang out.
Shooter came within inches of killing Trump, but left few clues as to why
An aerial view shows the stage where Republican presidential candidate and former U.S. President Donald Trump had been standing during an assassination attempt the day before, and the roof of a nearby building where a gunman was shot dead by law enforcement, in Butler, Pennsylvania, on Sunday.
Yen’s woes seem too big for even a BOJ hike this month to solve
The Bank of Japan headquarters in Tokyo
How to beat Japan’s summer heat in ways better for the planet
Tenugui towels hang up to dry at a dyeing company in Sakai, Osaka Prefecture, on May 8. The durable and versatile tenugui, which many people have in their homes, can be used in many ways to cool one’s body.
The neurological disorder that 'kills culture'
Akiko Trush says her experience with the neurological disorder dystonia left her feeling like she wanted to chop her own hand off.
How to beat Japan’s summer heat in ways better for the planet
Tenugui towels hang up to dry at a dyeing company in Sakai, Osaka Prefecture, on May 8. The durable and versatile tenugui, which many people have in their homes, can be used in many ways to cool one’s body.
After Trump shooting, U.S. presidential race might take a violent turn
United States Secret Service Counter Snipers stand guard on a rooftop during a campaign rally for U.S. President Donald Trump in Avoca, Pennsylvania, in 2020.
No AC this summer? No problem (for me).
Think air conditioning is a requirement for a Tokyo summer? Think again.
She’s paying ¥1 million to help behind the scenes at the Paris Olympics
Mai Tarumi, who previously volunteered at the postponed Tokyo Olympics in 2021, has a travel budget of ¥1 million for her trip to volunteer at the Paris Games.

Podcast

You can often see generations of families enjoying performances together at Fuji Rock Festival.
Japan’s summer music festivals are feeling the heat in more ways than one

Longform

Akiko Trush says her experience with the neurological disorder dystonia left her feeling like she wanted to chop her own hand off.
The neurological disorder that 'kills culture'
By Tomoko Otake

SUSTAINABLE JAPAN

Exploring Japanese culturevia Tohoku’s festivals
Exploring Japanese culturevia Tohoku’s festivals

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