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Sean Carroll
Vissel Kobe players celebrate after clinching the J1 league title for the second straight season, on Sunday at Noevir Stadium Kobe.
SOCCER / J. League
Dec 8, 2024
Vissel Kobe defends J1 championship after roller-coaster title race
The defending champions cruised past Shonan Bellmare 3-0 at home thanks to goals from Taisei Miyashiro, Yoshinori Muto and Takahiro Ogihara.
Vissel Kobe players celebrate with the trophy after the club knocked off Gamba Osaka on Saturday at National Stadium in Tokyo to secure the Emperor's Cup.
SOCCER
Nov 23, 2024
Paper tiger no more as Vissel Kobe collects another trophy
Over the years, Vissel made more headlines for signing aging European players, but now it's starting to accumulate trophies rather than stars.
Nagoya Grampus players celebrate after the club won the Levain Cup at National Stadium in Tokyo on Saturday
SOCCER / J. League
Nov 2, 2024
Keeper Mitch Langerak gets perfect send-off as Nagoya captures Levain Cup
Langerak converted one of Grampus' five successful kicks during penalties in a roller coaster win over Albirex Niigata on Saturday.
Former Japan player Tadanari Lee believes Samurai Blue's victory over Australia in the 2011 Asian Cup final represented a major shift in the rivalry between the two nations.
SOCCER
Oct 13, 2024
Japan and Australia set to write latest chapter of fast-growing rivalry
This will be the fifth consecutive time the teams have been grouped together in the decisive round of qualifiers for the quadrennial showpiece.
Japan head coach Hajime Moriyasu announces his squad for upcoming World Cup qualifying matches, on Aug. 29 in the city of Chiba.
SOCCER / World cup
Sep 4, 2024
Japan favored in next World Cup qualifying stage, but history gives pause
At this stage, the Samurai Blue lost 1-0 at home to Oman three years ago and also went down 2-1 to the UAE in front of their own fans ahead of the 2018 tournament.
Japan midfielder Yu Hirakawa controls the ball during a match against the United States in Kansas City, Kansas, on June 11.
OLYMPICS
Jul 23, 2024
Japan eyes gold — and the future — as Olympic men's soccer campaign begins
With the squad being the only one in Paris not to feature any overage players, it is clear that this competition is partly about building for the future.
Japan forward Mao Hosoya controls the ball during a game against the United States in Kansas City, Kansas, on June 11.
OLYMPICS
Jul 3, 2024
Japan goes with all U-23 men's soccer squad for Paris Olympics
Veterans like Liverpool’s Wataru Endo, 31, had been rumored as possible options to supplement the 18-man squad, but instead Japan will be counting on youth in Paris.
Sanfrecce have attracted more than 25,000 fans to each of their J. League games at the spectacular Edion Peace Wing Hiroshima since it opened in February.
SOCCER / J. League
Jun 23, 2024
Sanfrecce feeling right at home at shiny new stadium in Hiroshima
The soccer club's new home has helped the team attract more than 25,000 fans to each J1 game in the baseball-mad city.
Makoto Hasebe (top) celebrates with his Japan team mates after qualifying for the second round of the 2010 FIFA World Cup, in Rustenburg, South Africa, in June 2010. Hasebe captained the Samurai Blue in three consecutive World Cups.
SOCCER
May 14, 2024
Makoto Hasebe bows out at the top, on his own terms
With 114 Japan caps and more than 380 Bundesliga appearances, the player has earned an almost legendary status.
Machida supporters wave giant flags during the team's game against Vissel Kobe at National Stadium in Tokyo on Sunday.
SOCCER / J. League
Apr 18, 2024
Upstart Zelvia shows that, in the J. League, it’s anyone’s game
The fast start by Go Kuroda’s men has highlighted the remarkable parity in the Japanese game when compared with top competitions in Europe.
North Korean fans cheer on the national team during a World Cup qualifying match against Japan on Thursday in Tokyo.
SOCCER
Mar 24, 2024
The many twists and turns for Japan's canceled World Cup qualifier in Pyongyang
On Sunday, FIFA ultimately determined that the match wouldn't go ahead at all, which could hand Japan a place in the next round.
Sanfrecce will play its first regular-season match against Urawa on Friday at the brand-new Edion Peace Wing Hiroshima.
SOCCER / J. League
Feb 22, 2024
The J. League is back with a top flight that's bigger than ever
Hiroshima has eyes on the title as the club raises the curtain at a new stadium, but Urawa will be looking to spoil the party starting Friday.

Longform

Yasuyuki Yoshida stirs a brew in a fermentation tank at his brewery in Hakusan.
The quake that shook Noto's sake brewing tradition