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April 02, 2025
 

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John Gunning
SUMO / Rikishi Files
Jan 15, 2020
Tochiazuma's bloody rivalry with Asashoryu a spectacle
In terms of sumo's vintage years, 1976 was one of the best.
SUMO / Rikishi Files
Jan 14, 2020
Kisenosato is gone, but his impact lives on
The current boom in sumo popularity is a product of many factors.
SUMO / Rikishi Files
Jan 13, 2020
Technical acumen couldn't get Kotomitsuki over hump
The three pillars of sumo are shin-gi-tai, which translate as heart-technique-physique.
SUMO / Rikishi Files
Jan 12, 2020
American-born Akebono blazed path to pinnacle of sumo
Rowan, an anglicization of the Irish O Ruadhain, isn't a name widely found in sport.
SUMO / INSIDE SUMO
Jan 9, 2020
Sumo practice blowups nothing new in sport ruled by traditions
The problem of violence reared its ugly head in sumo again recently, but this time it came with a twist.
SUMO
Jan 9, 2020
New Year Basho provides intriguing mix of storylines
Every sumo tournament contains a myriad of storylines.
SUMO / INSIDE SUMO
Jan 3, 2020
Reviewing last year, previewing 2020 in sumo
Happy New Year to you all. Here's to a great 2020.
SUMO / INSIDE SUMO
Dec 25, 2019
JSA needs to look outward for good of sumo
Whatever hopes fans had for a peaceful end to the year were dashed when Japan Sumo Association officials instructed Takagenji to take part in his regularly scheduled bout on Dec. 11 despite the wrestler being diagnosed with influenza earlier in the day.
SUMO / INSIDE SUMO
Dec 18, 2019
Hakuho more than deserving of special elder status
When you think of sumo, what's the first word that comes to mind?
Japan Times
SUMO / INSIDE SUMO
Dec 11, 2019
Joining sumo no easy task for foreign rikishi hopefuls
For young men with Japanese nationality, joining sumo can be as easy as knocking on a stable door, sending an email, or picking up the phone.
SUMO / INSIDE SUMO
Dec 4, 2019
Amateur sumo lacks flair, but worthy of fans' attention
As detailed in last week's column, sumo fans are divided when it comes to the kind of English language coverage they want and expect.
SUMO / INSIDE SUMO
Nov 27, 2019
More content needed to satisfy sumo's overseas fans
Sumo's popularity abroad has increased massively over the past few years.
Japan Times
SUMO / Rikishi Files
Nov 24, 2019
Asahisho's comedic talents have provided many laughs
Sumo is a sport with a surprising amount of interesting characters.
SUMO / Rikishi Files
Nov 23, 2019
Terunofuji endured tough times to get back on track
On a day when yokozuna Hakuho all but sealed his 43rd Emperor's Cup, the biggest news out of Fukuoka concerned a man in sumo's third division.
Japan Times
SUMO
Nov 22, 2019
Veteran Tochiozan clawing back to makuuchi in twilight of long career
After finishing five straight tournaments with a losing record, Tochiozan was demoted to the juryo division for the ongoing Fukuoka meet.
Japan Times
SUMO / Rikishi Files
Nov 21, 2019
Relatively light Takanoyama paid his dues in lower ranks
About five years ago a sumo video went viral online and was widely shared on websites dedicated to other fighting sports.
Japan Times
SUMO / Rikishi Files
Nov 20, 2019
Tamawashi's January victory among sumo's biggest shocks
Roughly half of sumo's recent first-time champions have been rikishi on the way up.
Japan Times
SUMO / Rikishi Files
Nov 19, 2019
Konishiki went from rags to riches in colorful career
One of the most famous rikishi of all time was never promoted to the rank of yokozuna.
SUMO / Rikishi Files
Nov 18, 2019
Immaturity cost Wakanoho bright future in raised ring
When it comes to could-have-been rikishi, the first name on most people's lips is Futahaguro.
SUMO / Rikishi Files
Nov 17, 2019
Muscular Chiyonofuji's career bloomed late
For a certain generation of fans there is only one name that comes to mind when discussing the greatest of all time and that name is Chiyonofuji.
As ‘Buy Canadian’ grows, more U.S. firms say retailers turning away products
Empty shelves with "Buy Canadian Instead" signs are seen in the American Whiskey section of the BC Liquor in Vancouver, British Columbia, on March 10.
Japan, South Korea and China vow to strengthen trade ties amid looming U.S. tariffs
Economy, Trade and Industry Minister Yoji Muto (left), South Korean Trade Industry and Energy Minister Ahn Duk-geun (center) and Chinese Commerce Minister Wang Wentao during a trilateral meeting in Seoul on Sunday
A Canadian made a weekend trip to Costco a Japanese pastime
Under the watchful eye of Ken Theriault, Costco representative director and Japan country manager, the American membership-model wholesaler has flourished in Japan.
Nankai Trough earthquake could kill 298,000 people, government says
Residents participate in an evacuation drill held with West Japan Railway in Shirahama, Wakayama Prefecture, in January 2024 to prepare for a Nankai Trough earthquake and a possible tsunami following the quake.
Osaka Expo's Japan Pavilion completed
A ceremony is held to mark the completion of the Japan Pavilion at the World Expo in Osaka on Saturday.
Meiji says sayonara to bottled milk, a staple of Japan's bathhouses
Meiji bottled milk lined up in a fridge at Kosugiyu, a bathhouse in Tokyo. The sticker urges patrons to enjoy the milk one last time before it’s gone.
On defense, Japan may avoid Trump's worst impulses — for now
Defense Minister Gen Nakatani and U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth chat after reviewing an honor guard during a welcome ceremony at the Defense Ministry in Tokyo on Sunday.
No longer a 'bridesmaid': Yuki Tsunoda prepares for the Red Bull pressure cooker
All eyes will be on Yuki Tsunoda as he makes his Red Bull debut at the Japanese Grand Prix this weekend.
A Canadian made a weekend trip to Costco a Japanese pastime
Under the watchful eye of Ken Theriault, Costco representative director and Japan country manager, the American membership-model wholesaler has flourished in Japan.
Tokyo tech failures lean into misfortune, mistakes and missteps
Tsuyoshi Domoto in Tokyo's Shinjuku Ward on March 28. As an entrepreneur, Domoto experienced plenty of setbacks but maintains a positive attitude and continues to pursue his dreams.

Podcast

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

Longform

Professional cleaner Hirofumi Sakurai takes a moment to appreciate some photographs in a Gotanda apartment whose occupant died alone.
The last cleanup: Life and death in a lonely Japan
By Johan Brooks

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