Rich Freeman - The Japan Times

December 25, 2024

Today's print edition

Subscribe for more access

Meta

Rich Freeman

Rugby / ADDING THE EXTRAS

May 1, 2020

Rule change leaves trio of naturalized Top League players in limbo

The group, which includes two players who have represented Japan in sevens, is petitioning the Japan Rugby Football Union to recognize their status as local players.

Rugby / ADDING THE EXTRAS

Mar 28, 2020

Odd decisions, big questions amidst crises in Japanese rugby

With rugby seemingly done for the season, it is time to look back on a crazy few months that have seen Japanese rugby go from the highs of the 2019 Rugby World Cup to a state of confusion in which even a former Brave Blossoms captain is questioning what is going on.

Japan Times

Rugby / ADDING THE EXTRAS

Feb 28, 2020

Asian rugby tested as COVID-19 wipes out schedules

Rugby across Asia is feeling the full brunt of the coronavirus outbreak with games and tournaments getting called off at a rate of knots.

Japan Times

Rugby / ADDING THE EXTRAS

Jan 31, 2020

Last dance for Sunwolves complicates matters in 2020 Super Rugby campaign

Lance Conrad wrote in "The Price of Nobility" that "only a fool would underestimate a man with nothing to lose."

Japan Times

Rugby / ADDING THE EXTRAS

Dec 27, 2019

Matching magic moments to karaoke classics in a historic year for Japan rugby

With the bōnenkai (year-end party) season in full swing, it is time to look back at a special year of rugby in Japan while also trying to predict what the future holds.

Japan Times

Rugby / ADDING THE EXTRAS

Aug 23, 2019

New No. 1 ranking for Wales means little before RWC

The rugby number crunchers have been out in full force in the past week both in terms of what goes on off the field and on it.

Rugby / ADDING THE EXTRAS

Aug 9, 2019

Risk of injury real concern before final squads named

With less than three weeks to go before the 2019 Rugby World Cup coaches name their final squads, and 41 days before the tournament kicks off in Tokyo, it is a nervous time for players.

Japan Times

Rugby / ADDING THE EXTRAS

Jul 26, 2019

Busy weekend sets stage for final preparations ahead of Japan's Rugby World Cup

Preparations for the Rugby World Cup step up a level this week with 10 of the participating sides playing test matches, as players look to impress coaches ahead of the announcement of the final tournament squads at the end of August.

Rugby / ADDING THE EXTRAS

Jul 12, 2019

Rugby World Cup fever set to bring masses to Japan

The 2019 Rugby World Cup has been dubbed by organizers as a "once-in-a-lifetime" event. And for many of the more than 400,000 foreigners expected to travel here, it will be their one and only chance to visit Japan.

Rugby / ADDING THE EXTRAS

Jul 5, 2019

New JRFU boss Shigetaka Mori faces uphill battle to initiate needed reforms

As a player Shigetaka Mori, the new president of the Japan Rugby Football Union, knew all about success at the domestic level.

Japan Times

Rugby / ADDING THE EXTRAS

May 29, 2019

British stars expect Japan to be strong

With the 100-day-to-go milestone fast approaching, two well-known British rugby stars have said they think Japan will be one of the teams to watch out for at this year's Rugby World Cup.

Rugby / ADDING THE EXTRAS

May 2, 2019

JRFU's bewildering plans for Top League reform spark skepticism, opposition

The news that the Japan Rugby Top League is to undergo reform following this year's World Cup should have been met with heraldic fanfare, given the nation's recent entry into the Reiwa Era.

Japan Times

Rugby / ADDING THE EXTRAS

Mar 29, 2019

Future of Sunwolves in doubt after Super Rugby

Sunwolves CEO Yuji Watase put on a brave face last week despite clocking up air miles in the wake of the announcement his team would be not be part of the Super Rugby competition post 2020.

Rugby / ADDING THE EXTRAS

Feb 28, 2019

With ban lifted, Christian Loamanu hopes for return to Top League

Former Brave Blossoms wing Christian Loamanu is hoping for a shot at redemption and the opportunity to finish his rugby career in Japan. But he will have to get past some longstanding animosity and overcome some new challenges if his wish is to come true.

Rugby / ADDING THE EXTRAS

Jan 31, 2019

World Cup ticket woes frustrate rugby fans

"There are three sides to every story, baby. There's yours, and mine and the cold, hard truth."

Rugby / ADDING THE EXTRAS

Dec 26, 2018

Cloud of uncertainty hovers over Top League

The New Year is traditionally a time for looking back on the past and looking ahead.

Rugby / ADDING THE EXTRAS

Nov 29, 2018

Japan making the top eight at 2019 Rugby World Cup will be no easy task

Japan coach Jamie Joseph said earlier this week that his team's "Rugby World Cup final would be making the top eight."

Japan Times

Rugby / ADDING THE EXTRAS

Nov 1, 2018

Young players make new friends at YCAC rugby clinic

While the All Blacks and Wallabies were doing their bit to woo Japanese rugby fans at last weekend's Bledisloe Cup match at Nissan Stadium, another group of Antipodean rugby players were in Japan doing an equally important job.

Rugby / ADDING THE EXTRAS

Oct 24, 2018

Brave Blossoms face key tests on road to 2019 World Cup

With preparations going smoothly and everything seemingly well on track off the field for a successful Rugby World Cup 2019, it's now time to see if Japan's preparations on the field are going just as well.

Japan Times

Rugby / ADDING THE EXTRAS

Sep 27, 2018

Kyushu set to play key role in RWC buildup

A sense of familiarity, long-standing historical ties, and a look to the future have ensured the southern island of Kyushu will resemble Little Britain in the buildup to next year's Rugby World Cup.

One of the many entrances to the Kabukicho neighborhood in Tokyo’s Shinjuku Ward.

Kabukicho: Tokyo’s ‘stadium of desire’

Visitors to Kyoto walk along a street near Kiyomizu Temple in April. A popular tourist spot, Kyoto has seen what locals feel to be an overwhelming amount of tourists in 2024.

Is Japan ready for 60 million tourists?

By Kathryn Wortley

SUSTAINABLE JAPAN

mission sustainability vol.14 : Unicharm Corp.Unicharm recycles diapers back into diapers

mission sustainability vol.14 : Unicharm Corp.Unicharm recycles diapers back into diapers

SPECIAL SUPPLEMENTS

SUPPLEMENTS BINDER

international-reports