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COMMENTARY
May 27, 2002

Global soccer invades Japan

LONDON -- Now for the really big story -- and Japan is at the center of it. But the focus this time is not on dreary economics but on soccer. With the curtain rising on the great drama of the Japan/South Korea-hosted World Cup, all eyes and world media attention are beamed on the teams, the players,...
Japan Times
SOCCER / World cup
Dec 4, 2022

How Japanese soccer evolved to produce world-beating warriors

The Samurai Blue's upset wins over Germany and Spain at the 2022 FIFA World Cup are a result of decades of effort to expand the sport's footprint across the country.
Japan Times
SUMO / INSIDE SUMO
Nov 23, 2022

In the land of baseball, sumo and soccer share a close relationship

Japan's national sport and the 'beautiful game' have formed many ties over the years, with even top-ranked wrestlers attending matches and taking part in promotional events.
COMMENTARY / World
Jul 3, 2008

Soccer nationalism mirrors European society

ANNANDALE-ON-HUDSON, New York — The late Arthur Koestler, born in Budapest, resident of many countries, and writer in several languages, once said there is nationalism, and there is soccer nationalism. The feelings inspired by the latter are by far the stronger. Koestler himself, a proud and loyal...
Japan Times
Events
Nov 27, 2001

Visionary sees World Cup as time to boost blind soccer

OSAKA -- Soccer is a sport that relies heavily on coordination between the eye and foot.
Japan Times
SOCCER / WE LEAGUE
Sep 10, 2021

Japan's ambitious WE League aims to empower in historic first season

Japan's first professional women's soccer league will launch on Sunday with the goals of promoting gender equality and raising the country's level of play.
Japan Times
SOCCER / From the Spot
Nov 20, 2019

JFA takes leap with new women's pro league

Eight years ago, Japan won the FIFA Women's World Cup and earned its place among women's soccer's elite nations.
Japan Times
JAPAN
May 2, 2002

Firm seeks to boot out child labor

Children around the globe dream of someday playing in the World Cup, but few people know that thousands of them spend their days making soccer balls to help feed their families, unable to go to school or enjoy the game.
COMMUNITY / Our Lives / JAPAN LITE
Feb 21, 1999

Two-legged enlightenment in land of soccer gods

Let's talk about religion. Soccer, that is. Many Americans don't like soccer because they say there's not enough action. Americans like fast action sports like American football, rugby and ice hockey. Not me. I like soccer because it's slow. I can get up, go to the bathroom, refill my beer and popcorn,...
SOCCER / World cup
Jun 7, 2001

Kamamoto learns to live with cohosting

Kunishige Kamamoto was the Hidetoshi Nakata or the Kazu Miura of his day.
Japan Times
SOCCER
Mar 10, 2023

Canadian women accuse soccer federation of disrespect in pay dispute

Record breaking goalscorer Christine Sinclair said she and her compatriots were 'forced to negotiate in the dark.'
Japan Times
SOCCER / From the Spot
Sep 25, 2019

Rugby World Cup scores try with Japanese soccer media

Last weekend saw packed crowds take over Ajinomoto Stadium and Nissan Stadium, two of the J. League's biggest venues, for pageantry-filled days of sport.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Jul 5, 2015

Win or lose, World Cup no game changer for women

Win or lose, the enthusiasm Japan is showing for its women's soccer team will probably fizzle soon, leaving aspiring pro players in a rut once again, experts say.
SOCCER / SOCCER SCENE
Jul 3, 2008

Bold Kobe bares its teeth to show Olympic soccer is just not worth it

Clubs grumbling over international callups is nothing new, but Vissel Kobe's decision last week to deny Japan the services of striker Yoshito Okubo for the Beijing Olympics may prove to be a watershed moment.
Japan Times
SOCCER
Dec 30, 2022

Brazilian soccer legend Pele dies at 82

Pele transcended soccer — like no player before or since — and became one of the first global icons of the 20th century.
Japan Times
SOCCER / From the Spot
Dec 6, 2020

Play hard, work hard: Nadecare founder Ami Otaki wants to help players build careers in WE League era

Nadecare, an organization intended to support women's soccer players in achieving their career goals and raise the sport's profile in the country, was launched in 2019.
COMMENTARY / World
Jul 1, 2010

Why is it OK to cheat in professional soccer?

MELBOURNE — Shortly before half-time in the World Cup elimination match between England and Germany on Sunday, English midfielder Frank Lampard had a shot at goal that struck the crossbar and bounced down onto the ground, clearly over the goal line. German goalkeeper Manuel Neuer grabbed the ball and...
SPORTS / SPORTS SCOPE
Jun 15, 2004

Coach Baxter making a name for himself in world soccer

"Stuart who?"
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC
Oct 4, 2022

Tear gas and locked gates led to Indonesian soccer stampede, spectators say

The use of tear gas, a crowd-control measure prohibited by world soccer governing body FIFA, has come under scrutiny.
Urawa Reds Ladies celebrate with their fans after winning the league championship at Urawa Komaba Stadium on June 3, 2023.
SOCCER
May 9, 2024

Urawa Reds Ladies to vie for Asian supremacy amid controversy over AFC's actions

Final to go ahead after backlash forced AFC to reverse earlier decision to cancel match.
English and Italian footballers observe a minute of silence for the victims of a deadly shooting in Brussels and of the devastating events in Israel and Palestine, at Wembley Stadium in London on Oct. 17.
BUSINESS / Companies
Oct 24, 2023

Qatar-owned network altered broadcasts to avoid war references

Instead of tributes and moments of silence at recent games, beIN broadcasts aired extended studio discussions that hewed solely toward soccer.
Yokohama F. Marinos fans cheer during the team's Asian Champions League match against Bangkok United on Wednesday.
SOCCER
Feb 24, 2024

Want to play in the Asian Champions League? It will cost you.

Urawa Reds reported to the FIFPro union that only the finalists would earn enough prize money to recover their costs.
Inter Miami’s signing of Lionel Messi has served to highlight the demand for top talent among U.S. soccer fans, said FIFA President Gianni Infantino.
SOCCER
May 7, 2024

MLS must attract best players to grow, says Infantino

Major League Soccer salary and roster restrictions mean that teams are unable to spend freely when it comes to signing top players.
Indonesia fans watch a livestream of the 2026 FIFA World Cup Asian qualification soccer match between China and Indonesia on screens outside the Gelora Bung Karno stadium in Jakarta on Oct. 15.
SOCCER
Nov 13, 2024

Indonesia goes Dutch in pursuit of World Cup dreams

Indonesia is in the decisive third round of Asian qualifying as it attempts to reach the 2026 World Cup in North America.
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.
A banner is displayed by Northern Ireland fans in protest against the redevelopment of Casement Park for use in Euro 2028, at Windsor Park in Belfast last October.
SOCCER
Aug 24, 2024

Derelict stadium for Euro 2028 highlights Belfast’s bitter divide

The issue is stirring up old divisions and proving to be an early headache for the Labour government.
Manchester City midfielder Rodri (left) battles with Inter Milan's Carlos Augusto during Champions League action on Wednesday.
SOCCER
Sep 22, 2024

Will Premier League players really go on strike?

The debate over soccer’s crowded calendar has rumbled on and on, but a recent comment by Manchester City's Rodri feels like a significant moment.

Longform

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