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April 02, 2025
 

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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.
SOCCER / SOCCER SCENE
Aug 23, 2017
Podolski's Japan adventure in danger of turning sour
Things are not going well for Lukas Podolski.
SOCCER / J. League
Aug 19, 2017
Reds remain unbeaten since new manager Hori's appointment last month
Shinzo Koroki scored twice as Urawa Reds continued their nascent revival under new manager Takafumi Hori with a 2-1 win over FC Tokyo on Saturday.
SOCCER / J. League
Aug 13, 2017
Kawasaki slams door on Kashima's unbeaten streak
Kawasaki Frontale ended Kashima Antlers' nine-match unbeaten run and cut the gap on the J. League leaders with an emphatic 3-1 win on Sunday.
SOCCER / J. League
Aug 5, 2017
Frustrated Podolski tastes defeat in J. League for first time as Vissel falls to Kashiwa
Kashiwa Reysol brought an abrupt end to German World Cup-winner Lukas Podolski's J. League honeymoon after coming from behind to beat Vissel Kobe 3-1 on Saturday.
Japan Times
SOCCER
Jul 13, 2017
Rakuten, Barcelona hail official start of partnership, lucrative sponsorship
Rakuten Inc. will be splashing its name across "the most important shirt in the world," according to Barcelona defender Gerard Pique, after the e-commerce giant celebrated the start of its four-year, $235 million sponsorship with the iconic Spanish soccer club on Thursday.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Jul 5, 2017
From sex toys to works of art: 'Love doll' maker seeks to shed seedy image
Japan's oldest "love doll" manufacturer wants to strip the sex toys of their seedy image and encourage people to see them as works of art instead.
SOCCER / SOCCER SCENE
Jul 5, 2017
Moriyasu can leave Sanfrecce with head held high
It was probably in the best interests of everyone at Sanfrecce Hiroshima that Hajime Moriyasu stood down as manager on Tuesday, but that should not obscure the debt of gratitude that the three-time J. League champions owe him.
SOCCER / J. League
Jul 1, 2017
Reds' Sekine sinks Sanfrecce in injury time to cap J. League thriller
Takahiro Sekine scored an injury-time wonder goal as Urawa Reds beat Sanfrecce Hiroshima 4-3 in a wild J. League encounter on Saturday night.
Japan Times
Rugby
Jun 24, 2017
Ireland routs Japan for sweep
Ireland beat Japan 35-13 on Saturday to sweep their two-game series despite a rousing second-half performance by the 2019 Rugby World Cup hosts.
Rugby
Jun 21, 2017
Ireland looking to break World Cup hoodoo
The Ireland rugby team believes it deserves to be considered among the favorites to lift the 2019 World Cup in Japan and has little time for suggestions that the six-time quarterfinalist is jinxed in the competition.
Japan Times
Rugby
Jun 17, 2017
Fans travel far, wide to show support for Ireland rugby squad
Ireland rugby fans attending their country's test match against Japan in Shizuoka on Saturday were confident that supporters around the Asia-Pacific region will help make the 2019 World Cup an international festival.
Rugby
Jun 17, 2017
Ireland hammers Japan in test
Ireland handed Japan a harsh lesson with a 50-22 victory in the first of two test matches between the 2019 Rugby World Cup group rivals on Saturday.
JAPAN
Jun 8, 2017
Imprisoned Japanese Red Army founder Shigenobu holds out hope for revolution
The imprisoned founder of the Japanese Red Army admits her efforts to bring revolution to Japan in the 1970s and '80s ended in failure but she remains optimistic that public protest can check government moves to alter the pacifist Constitution.
Japan Times
SOCCER
Jun 8, 2017
Halilhodzic demands fast start in qualifier after first-half no-show against Syria
Japan manager Vahid Halilhodzic has warned his players that they are in for a rude surprise if they tackle next week's World Cup qualifier against Iraq with the same laissez-faire attitude with which they began Wednesday's 1-1 friendly draw with Syria.
SOCCER / World cup
Jun 7, 2017
Japan warms up for World Cup qualifier with draw against Syria
Japan limbered up for next week's World Cup qualifier against Iraq with a 1-1 draw with Syria in a friendly on Wednesday night.
SOCCER / SOCCER SCENE
May 31, 2017
Gambler Halilhodzic hoping chips keep falling his way
National team manager Vahid Halilhodzic's willingness to take risks has worked out well in recent months, and Japan will be hoping that his instincts continue to pay off in its upcoming World Cup qualifier against Iraq.
PARALYMPICS
May 28, 2017
Wheelchair rugby ready to crash Tokyo 2020 party
Japan's No. 7 catches the ball but before he has time to react, a hulking, tattooed Australian is bearing down on him.
Japan Times
Rugby
May 27, 2017
Cheetahs blow out Sunwolves
The Sunwolves failed to pick up their second win of the Super Rugby season on Saturday after a 47-7 defeat to South Africa's Cheetahs.
Japan Times
Rugby
May 26, 2017
McCaw hopes to inspire kids with charity work in Japan
All Blacks legend Richie McCaw kicked off a four-day charity tour of Japan on Friday and vowed to bring a smile to the faces of children affected by the Great East Japan Earthquake.
SOCCER / J. League / J. LEAGUE NOTEBOOK
May 24, 2017
Latest leaders Gamba trying to hold position
Top spot in the J. League has changed hands with every weekend so far this May, but Gamba Osaka will be hoping to make their lead stick after taking over in first place last Saturday.
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.
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.
Who among the opposition would join the ruling coalition?
Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba enters his office in Tokyo on Friday.

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