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COMMENTARY / World
Aug 22, 2015

Messi without peer anywhere in the world

No soccer player in the world can rival Barcelona forward Lionel Messi, not even the great Cristiano Ronaldo.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Art
Apr 23, 2014

'Soccer: What Lies Ahead of Our Imageries'

In terms of the number of people who play the game, soccer is one of the most popular sports in the world. As such, for many the sport means a great more than simply a game to play or watch.
JAPAN
Apr 16, 2014

'Japanese Only' sign sparks bigotry debate

For nearly two decades, Shunji Usui has been a fixture at Urawa Red Diamonds matches at Saitama Stadium in the suburbs of Tokyo, a face in the crowd among the most avid — and sometimes rabid — fans of any Japanese soccer club.
JAPAN
Mar 14, 2014

Olympic credibility under threat in wake of soccer fans' xenophobic banner

The recent controversy over the 'Japanese only' banner put up by Urawa Reds soccer fans is yet further testimony to the nation's entrenched insensitivity to racism and threatens Tokyo's credibility as host of the 2020 Olympics, experts say.
SOCCER
Mar 5, 2013

Beckham 'excited' to help promote soccer in China

David Beckham will help promote soccer in China by taking a role as a global ambassador for the game in the world's most populous country.
LIFE / Food & Drink / Japan Pulse
Jul 22, 2011

A win-win for Nadeshiko and Japan's merchants

Did retailers predict that the Japan women's team would win the World Cup? Probably not, but they're perfectly happy to capitalize on Nadeshiko fever now.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Music
Jun 18, 2010

Various Artists "The Best Soccer Songs"

This eclectic compilation released by the Japan Football Association throws together pop, rock, funk and dancey Brazilian soccer anthems to accompany the emotional rush of the World Cup.
SOCCER / SOCCER SCENE
Oct 3, 2008

Japan's soccer calendar sorely in need of a revamp

Last season's J. League title race was as notable for Urawa Reds' physical breakdown as it was for eventual champion Kashima Antlers' success, and one glance at the rest of this year's fixture list should be enough to send a familiar shiver running down Reds manager Gert Engels' spine.
JAPAN
Apr 16, 2008

Soccer philanthropist Nakata signs on for exhibition match

Former soccer star Hidetoshi Nakata announced Tuesday he will play in an exhibition match in Yokohama on June 7 as part of his Plus One campaign to spur people to think about what they can do to make the world a better place.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Film
Aug 10, 2007

'One Day in Europe'

"One Day in Europe" is a comedy of cultural and linguistic misunderstanding that toys with the idea of a unified Europe, where everyone shares the same singular, unifying identity. Unlike many Americans, who proudly admit to being "American," Europeans — single currency and the EU notwithstanding —...
JAPAN
Mar 4, 2006

Dubbed soccer cartoon 'Captain Tsubasa' Iraq TV-bound

The Japan Foundation will donate an Arabic-dubbed version of a popular Japanese soccer "anime" animated cartoon known as "Captain Tsubasa" to an Iraqi television station.
JAPAN
Oct 29, 2004

State aims to boost sales of soccer lottery tickets by lowering the odds

The Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Ministry will try to boost sales of soccer lottery tickets by increasing the chances of winning and selling tickets on the Internet, beginning April 2006.
JAPAN
Aug 6, 2004

No hurry to soothe China

The recent jeering of Japanese by Chinese soccer fans in the Asian Cup soccer tournament in China has not prompted Japan to speed up talks over a proposed secular war memorial, Chief Cabinet Secretary Hiroyuki Hosoda said Thursday.
JAPAN
Feb 11, 2004

Toto soccer lottery prize to be doubled

An advisory panel to the education minister approved Tuesday a plan to double the top prize for the Toto soccer lottery to 200 million yen to boost tottering sales.
SOCCER / World cup
Jun 16, 2002

Exports helping 'soccer minnows' excel

"You're going home with the froggies, home with the froggies!" English fans prophetically chanted after England's 1-0 win over Argentina in their second Group F match.
JAPAN
May 31, 2002

Students bringing soccer to Afghan kids

A Tokyo student group hopes to use the World Cup to cheer up kids in Afghanistan.
SOCCER / J. League / ON THE BALL
Jan 29, 2002

Bellmare looking at more than just soccer

J. League second division club Shonan Bellmare is making a unique challenge to transform itself into a multi-sports organization.
JAPAN / Media / MEDIA MIX
Mar 15, 2001

Soccer lottery: A tax to fund bureaucrats' whims

The worst thing about the new soccer lottery system may be its name. "Toto" is taken from the Italian word totocalcio, which is the name of a similar lottery that has been in place in Italy for more than 50 years.
MORE SPORTS
Mar 4, 2001

'Toto' soccer lottery kicks off -- slowly

Sales of the J. League's "toto" soccer lottery kicked off Saturday at around 6,200 officially sanctioned sales points across the country.
LIFE / Travel
Jun 14, 2000

The return of an old classic: fresh fish and soccer for all

Shimizu, a port city in Shizuoka Prefecture, is back in fashion again. In the Edo Period, Shimizu was a popular post town on the Tokaido Highway. Travelers liked its fresh fish and tasty Oiwake yokan bean paste. But the inauguration of train service between Tokyo and Kyoto spelled doom for Shimizu, as...
Japan Times
SOCCER / Women's World Cup
Mar 1, 2023

Player revolts plunge FIFA Women's World Cup buildup into turmoil

Noel Le Graet, president of France's soccer federation, resigned on Tuesday, while Canada Soccer boss Nick Bontis stepped down a day earlier.
Japan Times
MORE SPORTS
Jul 20, 2023

Women's sports experiencing steady growth in popularity and value

Women's sports are growing in popularity and value. Better yet, that growth is no longer dependent upon quadrennial events like the Olympics or World Cups.
Japan Times
SOCCER / Women's World Cup
Jul 18, 2023

Women's World Cup set for lift-off with interest at all-time high

Australia's Matildas, led by prolific Chelsea forward Sam Kerr, will hope to make the most of their home advantage and go all the way to the final in Sydney on Aug. 20.
U.S. forward Alex Morgan (left) is one of several mothers competing during this year's Women's World Cup.
SOCCER / Women's World cup
Jul 27, 2023

Women's World Cup players balance motherhood with athletic ambitions

Germany forward Laura Freigang agrees that having children around can be a welcome distraction from the pressures of World Cup soccer.
Paris Saint-Germain players line up before the team's club friendly against Inter Milan at Tokyo's National Stadium on Tuesday.
SOCCER
Aug 2, 2023

Second straight tour shows PSG's commitment to Japanese market

The French superclub has experienced explosive growth in its global base, especially in Asia, since its 2011 takeover by Qatari ownership.
Nadeshiko Japan players celebrate Risa Shimizu's goal in their 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup round-of-16 game against Norway in Wellington on Saturday.
SOCCER / Women's World cup / From the Spot
Aug 6, 2023

Nadeshiko Japan is back, but is Japan paying attention?

The team’s lack of media exposure and name recognition is a symptom of the Japan Football Association’s failure to capitalize on its 2011 world title.
U.S. star Megan Rapinoe reacts after the team's loss against Sweden in the round of 16 at the Women's World Cup in Melbourne on Sunday. Rapinoe is among the U.S. veterans who might have played in the World Cup for the final time.
SOCCER / Women's World cup
Aug 7, 2023

United States' Women's World Cup exit signals end of dominant era

This edition of the Women's World Cup confirmed that the rest of the world has caught up to the Americans.
SOCCER / Women's World cup
Aug 10, 2023

Hinata Miyazawa leading charge for Japan at Women's World Cup

Hinata Miyazawa had never been prolific before this year's Women's World Cup but has emerged as an unlikely star during the tournament.

Longform

Visitors walk past Sou Fujimoto's Grand Ring, which has been recognized as the largest wooden structure in the world.
Can a World Expo still matter? Japan is about to find out.