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Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC
Oct 14, 2021

Once free of COVID-19, New Zealand prepares for 5,000 cases a week

While the virus raged abroad, most Kiwis continued life relatively undisturbed by the pandemic — until the delta variant arrived.
SOCCER / J. League
Sep 26, 2021

Love for hometown soccer club inspires PM hopeful Taro Kono

The LDP leadership candidate took an active role in the development of J. League side Shonan Bellmare, winning his own fans on the way.
Japan Times
SUMO / INSIDE SUMO
Sep 15, 2021

Lack of international streaming options hampers sumo's growth

While the Japan Sumo Association has made some progress on its online offerings, fans' inability to watch the sport overseas is a wasted opportunity for the sport to expand its audience.
Japan Times
PARALYMPICS
Sep 6, 2021

Why Ukraine’s small Paralympic team packed such a big punch

Ukraine has been one of the top six countries in the medal count at nine consecutive Paralympic Games, summer and winter.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Society / Longform
Aug 30, 2021

Behind the push to improve universal access in Japan

Steps have been taken to create barrier-free facilities ahead of the 2020 Tokyo Games. But now that the Paralympics have begun, who is going to ensure such groundbreaking efforts continue?
Japan Times
PARALYMPICS
Aug 27, 2021

When Paralympians need repairs, help is around the corner

Ottobock has been a Paralympic partner since 1988 and the ultimate goal is to keep the athletes on the field.
Japan Times
PARALYMPICS / FOCUS
Aug 17, 2021

Virus surge in Japan overshadows excitement ahead of the Paralympics

Athletes and officials are caught between worries over COVID-19 and their belief in what the Paralympics can do for inclusiveness and disability sports.
Japan Times
OLYMPICS
Aug 8, 2021

A memorable Olympics, but for the right reasons?

A feat of organizational planning and execution in a pandemic left even gold medalists hurrying home from an atmosphere drained of pomp and full of anxiety.
LIFE / Language / BILINGUAL
Aug 6, 2021

Using Japanese to discuss victory and defeat at the Tokyo Olympics

It's not accurate to say that anyone who doesn't medal at the Olympics is a loser, but the language of winning and losing is very much a part of Japanese.
MULTIMEDIA
Jul 29, 2021

In pictures: Day 5 of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics

Anna Kiesenhofer of Austria celebrates winning gold in the woen's road race on Sunday. | POOL / VIA REUTERS
Japan Times
OLYMPICS
Jul 29, 2021

Medals on, masks off

The pandemic has changed the way Olympians receive their medals. But in the rush of elation, coronavirus rules and social distancing policies are routinely forgotten.
Japan Times
OLYMPICS
Jul 27, 2021

Russia is banned, yet it’s everywhere at the Games

A doping punishment changes a country's official name but little else about its Olympic experience.
Japan Times
CULTURE
Jul 26, 2021

Biracial representation, game soundtracks and shiny pecs: bright moments at a somber Olympic opening

The program lacked the over-the-top glitz originally planned, but still served some memorable scenes, with pantomime performers and Naomi Osaka stealing the show.
Japan Times
OLYMPICS
Jul 25, 2021

Tokyo Games showcase the changing face of sports in Japan

From Naomi Osaka to Rui Hachimura, a generation of biracial athletes in the Olympics are helping shift perceptions of what it means to be 'Japanese.'
Japan Times
JAPAN
Jul 24, 2021

Olympic deluge? Tropical Storm Nepartak threatens to disrupt Tokyo Games

A tropical storm approaching Japan's main island of Honshu is already throwing a wrench into the Olympic schedule, with rowing events planned for early next week being moved up.
OLYMPICS / Faces of Tokyo 2020
Jul 23, 2021

Japanese athletes who have overcome adversity to be at the Tokyo Games

The miraculous return of Rikako Ikee might grab headlines, but the country's swimming star isn't the only athlete who needed to battle tough times to qualify for the Games.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Jul 16, 2021

Tokyo's neighbors brace for fallout as cases rise in the capital

Kanagawa Prefecture — which logged 403 cases on Thursday, its highest tally since late January — is considering requesting a state of emergency, and Chiba Prefecture may do the same.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Science & Health
Jul 15, 2021

Risk of COVID-19 spread due to Olympics is 'zero,' IOC chief says, amid rising cases

Critics of the plan to hold the Tokyo Olympics submitted a petition on Thursday that has garnered more than 450,000 signatures this month.
Japan Times
MORE SPORTS
Jul 13, 2021

Female duo envision brighter future for women in football in Japan

A small number of women working in football are playing significant roles since returning to their school teams after graduation.
JAPAN
Jul 5, 2021

Transport to pandemic Olympics proves logistics nightmare

Forget about medal tallies and post-race parties. Just getting to Japan on time is half the battle.
Japan Times
SOCCER
Jun 20, 2021

Soccer player Kumi Yokoyama comes out as transgender: 'It would be harder to live closeted'

The former Nadeshiko Japan striker, who plays for the NWSL's Washington Spirit, has received a flood of support from athletes and LGBTQ advocates following their announcement on Saturday.
Japan Times
SUMO / INSIDE SUMO
May 19, 2021

Busting myths: Sumo grapples with persistent urban legends

From exaggerated depictions in popular media to unverified internet rumors, many aspects of the sport and its traditions remain far from understood by the public at large.

Longform

Professional cleaner Hirofumi Sakurai takes a moment to appreciate some photographs in a Gotanda apartment whose occupant died alone.
The last cleanup: Life and death in a lonely Japan