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 Andrew MCKIRDY

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Andrew MCKIRDY
Andrew McKirdy is a sports writer for The Japan Times. His main beat is soccer, but he has also covered rugby, tennis, volleyball, golf and even tug-of-war. A native of the Scottish Borders, he has written for The Scotsman newspaper and organized filming for a program on Japanese soccer for ITV television.
Japan Times
Rugby
Oct 27, 2018
Supporters of All Blacks, Wallabies enjoy taste of Rugby World Cup atmosphere in Yokohama
Australia and New Zealand fans are already looking forward to next year's Rugby World Cup after getting a taste of the atmosphere in Saturday's Bledisloe Cup game in Yokohama.
Japan Times
Rugby
Oct 27, 2018
All Blacks get best of Wallabies
New Zealand completed a Bledisloe Cup clean sweep of Australia on Saturday with a 37-20 win at the venue where the 2019 Rugby World Cup final will be held.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Oct 15, 2018
Battling 'fatbergs': Tokyo's sewers get an upgrade so they can keep on flowing
In September last year, a monster was discovered in London's sewers.
Japan Times
CULTURE / TV & Streaming
Oct 11, 2018
Anpanman: Is the children's superhero the best thing since sliced bread?
Illustrator Takashi Yanase's beaming cartoon character celebrates the 30th anniversary of 'Soreike! Anpanman' on Nippon TV.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Science & Health
Sep 26, 2018
Japanese researchers aim to unlock secrets of the mysterious giant squid
In ancient legend they were called the kraken, fearsome sea monsters of giant proportions that would drag sailors down to their doom.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Society
Sep 19, 2018
Tokyo's Toshima Ward adds artistic touch to public lavatories to enhance user-friendliness
Dilemma: You are in a public park in Tokyo and you desperately need the toilet.
Japan Times
SOCCER / World cup
Aug 29, 2018
Akira Nishino reflects on Japan's wild World Cup ride
Former national team manager Akira Nishino admits he still has regrets about Japan's exit from this summer's World Cup in Russia, but he believes the team has a bright future under successor Hajime Moriyasu.
Japan Times
JAPAN / History / Defining the Heisei Era
Aug 25, 2018
Defining the Heisei Era: When Japanese sports went global
Baseball star Hideo Nomo may have blazed a trail for Japanese players in the MLB when he signed with the Dodgers in 1995, but the achievements of domestic athletes abroad in the Heisei Era certainly didn't stop there.
Japan Times
SOCCER / J. League
Aug 25, 2018
Kengo Nakamura's second-half strike sends Frontale past Vegalta
Kawasaki Frontale maintained the pressure on J. League leaders Sanfrecce Hiroshima with a 1-0 win over Vegalta Sendai in steamy conditions on Saturday.
Japan Times
Rugby
Aug 22, 2018
New stadium gives recovering Kamaishi hope for future
Takeshi Nagata looks out over the pitch from the back stand of Kamaishi Unosumai Memorial Stadium and tugs at the collar of his shirt. He retired from playing rugby six years ago, but his body is still in good shape and his formal clothes look uncomfortable stretched over his compact but formidable physique....
Japan Times
SOCCER / J. League
Aug 11, 2018
Vegalta Sendai capitalize on second-half chances to beat Kashiwa Reysol
Hiroaki Okuno and Takuma Nishimura both scored in the second half as Vegalta Sendai beat Kashiwa Reysol 2-0 on Saturday to claim their first J. League win in four games.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Aug 7, 2018
2020 Tokyo Olympics chiefs unveil pioneering face-recognition security system
Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic organizers are confident that security for the games will run smoothly and effectively after unveiling a pioneering face-recognition ID system Tuesday.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Jul 31, 2018
Olympic ceremonies promised to be full of 'Japaneseness' but will carry a worldwide message
Classical actor and director Mansai Nomura promised Tuesday that the 2020 Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic opening and closing ceremonies will be full of "Japaneseness" and "wit," one day after the games' organizing committee named him chief executive creative director for the four events.
SOCCER / World cup
Jul 5, 2018
Japan's World Cup team: A not so spotless record
National team captain Makoto Hasebe revealed Thursday that it was the team's staff — not the players — who were responsible for leaving the dressing room spotless following Japan's World Cup defeat to Belgium on Monday.
Japan Times
SOCCER / World cup
Jul 5, 2018
Nishino to pass torch as manager
National team manager Akira Nishino predicted Thursday that Japan will improve on its 2018 World Cup performance by reaching the quarterfinals in 2022, but he will not be around to lead the charge after the Japan Football Association announced it would not extend his contract past the end of this month....
Japan Times
SOCCER / SOCCER SCENE
Jul 3, 2018
Despite disappointing departure, Samurai Blue exceeded expectations at World Cup
Japan's exit from the World Cup on Monday was soccer at its cruelest, but once the dust has settled the team will be able to look back on its campaign with pride and satisfaction.
Japan Times
SOCCER / SOCCER SCENE
Jun 29, 2018
Nishino made right call for Samurai Blue to advance
It was not pretty, but Japan did what was necessary to survive at the World Cup. If the Samurai Blue can make history by beating Belgium on Monday to reach the quarterfinals for the first time, the rather undignified end to Thursday's 1-0 loss to Poland will be long forgotten.
Japan Times
SOCCER / SOCCER SCENE
Jun 25, 2018
Japan's conviction growing stronger with each step at World Cup
A World Cup campaign that threatened to be an ordeal for Japan is turning into one of steadily growing conviction. If the Samurai Blue can produce another performance like Sunday's 2-2 draw with Senegal, a place in the knockout round will be theirs for the taking.
Japan Times
SOCCER / SOCCER SCENE
Jun 20, 2018
Early present helps Japan claim perfect start to World Cup campaign
An opening win that few saw coming has given Japan the perfect start to its World Cup campaign, but there will be further hurdles to clear if the team is to book its place in the knockout round.
Japan Times
Rugby
Jun 16, 2018
Fan excitement gaining momentum for 2019 Rugby World Cup
Rugby fans in Kobe believe excitement is growing ahead of next year's Rugby World Cup, with the national team's first-ever test match in the city on Saturday helping to turn up the volume.

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