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November 21, 2024
 

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Rich Freeman
Japan Times
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.
Japan Times
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.
Japan Times
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.
Japan Times
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.
Japan Times
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.
Japan Times
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.
Japan Times
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.
Japan Times
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."
Japan Times
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.
Japan Times
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.
Japan Times
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.
Ishiba delays meeting with Trump, citing legal restrictions
Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba waves upon arrival for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum, in Callao, Peru, on Friday.
Two of America’s biggest debt holders are dumping Treasurys
The U.S. Treasury building in Washington. Investors in Japan and China sold a pile of U.S. debt in the last quarter, just before the U.S. presidential election.
Rising sex tourism exposes loopholes in Japan's anti-prostitution law
While financial misfortunes during the COVID-19 pandemic may have driven some women to work the streets, others simply want more money to spend — or want to pay off their debts — at host clubs.
Japan ranks last in romance satisfaction for second straight year
In a survey of 31 countries, Japan ranked last in terms of those who felt loved, with just 51% of respondents saying so.
Ruling coalition and DPP strike last-minute deal over economic policy
DPP policy chief Makoto Mahaguchi speaks at the party's policy gathering in Tokyo on Wednesday.
Japan, U.K. and Italy discuss inviting more countries to joint fighter project
A new concept model of a next-generation fighter jet to be jointly developed by Japan, Britain and Italy is on display in Farnborough, Hampshire, in July.
Haruki Murakami's 'The City and Its Uncertain Walls' gives deep deja vu
For “The City and Its Uncertain Walls,” translated into English by Philip Gabriel, Haruki Murakami confronts the ghosts who won't leave him alone.
Japanese expats in Asia find community through rugby
The Taiwan Fivewoods celebrate their victory at the 2023 Asian Japanese Rugby Cup in December of last year.
In Fukushima, a weekend of prose, poetry and translation
Aomori-based writer JJ Carter presented on tabletop gaming as creative inspiration for building characters and narratives.
For Dr. Nakamats, aging is just experience in action
Though he didn't win the recent gubernatorial election in Tokyo, the 96-year-old Dr. Nakamats' run was seen as inspirational in Japan's aging society.

Podcast

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

Longform

Construction takes place on the Takanawa Gateway Convention Center in Tokyo, slated to open in 2025.
A boom for business tourism in Japan?
By Kathryn Wortley

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