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Dodgers owner Mark Walter puts a jersey on Shohei Ohtani during the superstar's introductory news conference on Thursday. The structure of Ohtani's contract could help the Dodgers get a full return on their investment in the two-way player.
BASEBALL / MLB
Dec 15, 2023

For the Dodgers, Ohtani's megadeal could end up being a bargain

The Dodgers have the makings of a juggernaut, and success on the field will allow the franchise to cash in on Ohtani’s transcendent marketability.
There are no villains in Saikaku's stories … just people caught more or less helplessly in life's vortex.
JAPAN / History / The Living Past
Dec 17, 2023

Tales of a Closed Country: Part 3

There are no truly evil villains in Ihara Saikaku's stories, just people caught helplessly in life's vortex.
"Concussed: Sport's Uncomfortable Truth" by author Sam Peters details the issue of concussions in sports, particularly rugby.
MORE SPORTS / Rugby
Dec 17, 2023

Rugby in denial over concussion problem, author Sam Peters says

Peters' book includes a section on the damage of repeated heading in soccer but is predominantly concerned with rugby.
A pair of wolves carved from wood exhibited at Mitsumine Shrine’s museum in Chichibu, Saitama Prefecture
ENVIRONMENT / Wildlife / Longform
Dec 15, 2023

In praise of wolves

Premodern Japan's reverence of wolves mirrors its close bond with nature, a state eventually disrupted by the ecological impact of industrialization.
While non-Japanese readers have in recent years been spoiled for choice when it comes to Japanese literature in translation, there is still a wealth of notable works that translators would love to see rendered into English.
CULTURE / Books
Dec 20, 2023

A wish list of hidden gems for Japanese literature lovers

Eight translators reveal their top Japanese books that English readers have yet to enjoy.
While Magic: The Gathering is popular with card game aficionados the world over, the community in Japan is split along some unexpected lines.
LIFE / Lifestyle
Dec 23, 2023

Diehards and casuals clash in Tokyo’s Magic: The Gathering community

The Commander format is widely popular across Europe and the United States, but Japan’s Magic community hasn’t quite followed the same path.
In writing "Climate Capitalism: Winning the Global Race to Zero Emissions," journalist Akshat Rathi said his goal was to try and determine where climate solutions are being built and uncover the challenges that they face.
ENVIRONMENT / Climate change / OUR PLANET
Dec 24, 2023

Finding crucial solutions in a time of climate crisis

Journalist Akshat Rathi explores the economic side of the emergency in his book ‘Climate Capitalism.'
A group of 19 host club owners in Kabukicho who own most of the host clubs in the area have pledged to ban the pay-later system by April and prohibit entry to those under 20 years old from January.
JAPAN / Society
Dec 26, 2023

How Japan's host clubs trap young women under mountains of debt

False promises of love — and even marriage — lead to huge bills for some as young as 18, who are often then coaxed into sex work to make repayments.
Naoya Inoue fights Marlon Tapales  during their four-belt super bantamweight title unification match at Ariake Arena in Tokyo on Tuesday.
MORE SPORTS / Boxing
Dec 27, 2023

Naoya Inoue still hungry after becoming undisputed super bantamweight champ

Naoya Inoue has said that he intends to retire at 35 but he hinted earlier this year that he might prolong his career for two extra years.
A female member of the Mandalay People's Defense Forces repairs and cleans a weapon at their base camp in the forest near Namhsan Township in Myanmar's northern Shan State. In the hills of northern Myanmar young women fly combat drones, treat wounded comrades and patrol the front lines — new roles in the battle to overthrow the military junta.
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics
Dec 27, 2023

'Mandalay girls' upending gender norms on Myanmar's front lines

Hundreds of women in pro-democracy fighting units, some still teenagers, are operating drones, joining patrols and working as medics.
Japanese model Dulmi, 24, was selected as one of eight models in Vogue Open Casting's class of 2023.
JAPAN / Society
Jan 3, 2024

Dulmi: The biracial model bringing change to modeling in Japan and beyond

In a still-rare recognition of the diversity that exists in Japan, the Osaka native was chosen for the 2023 class of Vogue's Open Casting initiative.
Naomi Osaka speaks during a news conference in Brisbane, Australia, on Saturday.
TENNIS
Dec 31, 2023

Naomi Osaka's love for tennis rekindled as she makes comeback

Naomi Osaka admitted Saturday she almost retired from tennis, but said her love for the sport is back after becoming a mother earlier this year.
TENNIS
Jan 1, 2024

New mother Naomi Osaka makes winning return in Brisbane

The four-time grand slam champ beat Germany's Tamara Korpatsch 6-3 7-6(9) in the first round of the Brisbane International on Monday.
Indian migrant women in Tokyo often face stifling social expectations. In contrast, they may feel empowered in more egalitarian societies like Berlin.
COMMENTARY / Japan
Jan 3, 2024

How patriarchy perpetuates among Tokyo’s Indian migrants

Indian migrant women in Tokyo struggle to break free from the patriarchal structures they experienced back home. But in Berlin, a different picture emerges.
Frontiers players pose with their trophies after winning the Rice Bowl at Tokyo Dome on Wednesday.
MORE SPORTS / Football
Jan 3, 2024

Frontiers roll over Impulse once again for third straight Rice Bowl

As with other recent title showdowns, Panasonic had opportunities throughout the game, but near-misses and questionable decisions saw them come up short.
Portugal's Joao Monteiro drives his South Racing CAN-AM ahead of the Dakar RAlly in Al-Ula, Saudi Arabia, on Wednesday.
MORE SPORTS / Auto Racing
Jan 4, 2024

Sharp-shooting Nasser Al-Attiyah takes aim at sixth Dakar title

A 425-strong colorful caravan made up of cars, bikes, quads and trucks sets out from Al-Ula on a treacherous 4,900-mile (7,886 kilometer) odyssey around Saudi Arabia.
JAPAN / First person
Jan 4, 2024

How Japan's violent New Year's quake felt in Toyama

What it feels like to be near a quake that shifts a house left and right, forward and backward.
January may be the month of new diets, but it doesn't have to be a month of short tempers as a result.
LIFE / Lifestyle
Jan 6, 2024

Your 2024 diet isn't a blank check to be hangry

The neologism combining "hungry” and "angry” has been around since at least 1956 and made it into the Oxford English Dictionary in 2018.
David Warner walks off the pitch in his final test cricket match on Saturday in Sydney.
MORE SPORTS / Cricket
Jan 6, 2024

Entertainer Warner bows out of cricket test game a winner

Australia opener David Warner said he hoped to be remembered as an entertainer after retiring from cricket's longest format at his home ground in the wake of a third test victory over Pakistan on Saturday.
Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan hits a return during the women's singles final against Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus at the Brisbane International tennis tournament in Brisbane on Sunday.
TENNIS
Jan 8, 2024

Ruthless Rybakina and Dimitrov take Brisbane titles

World number two Aryna Sabalenka was completely outplayed by former Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina.
Poland's Iga Swiatek serves against Germany's Angelique Kerber during their women's singles final match at the United Cup tennis event in Sydney on Sunday.
TENNIS
Jan 9, 2024

Swiatek tunes out the noise in search of first Australian Open title

The player got 2024 underway by winning all of her singles matches at the United Cup mixed team tournament, helping Poland to the final.
Rory McIlroy speaks during a news conference in Boston in November.
MORE SPORTS / Golf
Jan 10, 2024

Rory McIlroy has 'dream scenario' for a new world tour

The star golfer would like to see golf take a more global approach by tapping into markets like Japan and Australia.
The natural attractions and the friendly locals convinced Norihiro Kanzawa and his wife, Zoe, to set up a business, Niyodo Adventure, in Kochi Prefecture.
COMMUNITY / Our Lives / 20 QUESTIONS
Jan 13, 2024

Norihiro Kanzawa: 'Smiles are always a great source of inspiration'

An adventure tourism professional and soon-to-be father shares his journey into making canyoning and packrafting his full-time job.
Naomi Osaka attends a news conference in Melbourne on Friday ahead of the start of the Australian Open.
TENNIS
Jan 12, 2024

It's a changed landscape at the top as Osaka returns to the Australian Open

2023 was all about the continued rise of players like Gauff and Sabalenka and the dominance of Swiatek, and it remains to be seen where Osaka fits in that picture.
Tanaka takes part in a signing ceremony for the Japan-Uruguay Investment Agreement with Uruguay's Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs Luis Porto in 2015.
BUSINESS / WOMEN AT WORK
Jan 23, 2024

Why positivity is an asset in a career of PR and diplomacy

Keiko Tanaka went from an office at Nissan to the ambassador's residence in Uruguay.
Japan's Naomi Osaka reacts during her first round match against France's Caroline Garcia at the Australian Open at Melbourne Park, Melbourne, on Monday.
TENNIS
Jan 15, 2024

No regrets as Osaka loses at Australian Open on Grand Slam comeback

A single break proved enough for Caroline Garcia to win the opening set against her rusty opponent and she dominated the second set tie-break.
Naomi Osaka waves to the Australian Open crowd after losing her first round match on Monday in Melbourne.
TENNIS
Jan 17, 2024

Osaka vows not to mope after 'bittersweet' Australian Open exit

"I remember last year I wished I had an opportunity to play again on Rod Laver Arena and this year that happened, so one of my dreams already came true," she said.
Mirra Andreeva celebrates after winning her second round match against Tunisia's Ons Jabeur at the Australian Open in Melbourne on Wednesday.
TENNIS
Jan 17, 2024

Schoolgirl Andreeva living the dream after thrashing Jabeur at Australian Open

Playing her first main draw at Melbourne Park, Andreeva was electric in downing the three-time Grand Slam runner-up 6-0, 6-2 on Rod Laver Arena in just 54 minutes.
Iga Swiatek hits a return against Danielle Collins during their second-round match at the Australian Open in Melbourne on Thursday.
TENNIS
Jan 18, 2024

No. 1 Iga Swiatek survives major scare to advance at Australian Open

Swiatek battled back from two breaks down in the final set to beat Danielle Collins 6-4, 3-6, 6-4.
Novak Djokovic defeated Alexei Popyrin to reach the third round of the Australian Open on Wednesday.
TENNIS
Jan 18, 2024

Novak Djokovic details 15-year 'special relationship' with Melbourne tree

Djokovic has long credited a series of unusual methods for helping him become one of the greatest players ever.

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.