News On Japan

Baseball: Matsui hitless in minor league debut

Japan Times — 2012-05-16 22:02:37

Hideki Matsui went hitless in his minor league debut on Tuesday. The 37-year-old, who recently signed a minor-league contract with the Tampa Bay Rays, batted fourth as the Triple-A Durham Bulls' designated hitter against Pawtucket. He struck out once in four at-bats. (Japan Times)

Sumo: Hakuho defeated again; Kisenosato shares lead

Japan Times — 2012-05-14 21:38:57

Kisenosato lost his cool but still emerged the winner in a heated bout against rival ozeki Kotoshogiku, retaining his share of the lead with rank-and-filer Tochiozan on the ninth day of the Summer Grand Sumo Tournament on Monday. (Japan Times)

Olympics: Japan pins judo hopes on young blood

Reuters — 2012-05-14 21:21:18

Japanese judo has been in a state of decline in recent years but the country is pinning its hopes on an infusion of new blood at the London Olympics. (Reuters)

Sumo: Goeido sends Hakuho crashing to third defeat

Japan Times — 2012-05-13 21:09:26

Sekiwake Goeido served up a fresh blow to yokozuna Hakuho's hopes of capturing his 23rd career championship title Sunday, scoring a stunning upset victory on the eighth day of action at the Summer Grand Sumo Tournament. (Japan Times)

Golf: Taniguchi claims fourth major title

Japan Times — 2012-05-13 21:01:46

Toru Taniguchi held on to his overnight lead to win the Japan PGA Championship on Sunday for the fourth major title of his career. (Japan Times)

Sumo: Toyohibiki upsets Hakuho

Japan Times — 2012-05-13 10:51:22

Ozeki Kotoshogiku saw his unbeaten start come to a crashing halt with a defeat to Myogiryu, while yokozuna Hakuho also suffered an upset loss and dropped his second bout as the first week of action wrapped up at the Summer Grand Sumo Tournament on Saturday.

(Japan Times)

Olympics: Japan's swimmers to defy altitude fears

Reuters — 2012-05-10 22:56:47

Japan's Olympic swimmers will prepare for this year's London Games by undergoing altitude training as planned, despite the death of Norwegian Alexander Dale Oen last week. (Reuters)

Sumo: Ozeki Kisenosato wins to stay among leaders

Japan Times — 2012-05-09 23:50:43

Ozeki Kisenosato outlasted Gagamaru to maintain his share of the lead, while yokozuna Hakuho stayed in touch with the early pacesetters with a third win at the Summer Grand Sumo Tournament on Wednesday. (Japan Times)

Olympics: IAAF rejects comedian Neko as Cambodian entrant in Olympic marathon

Japan Times — 2012-05-08 22:40:24

Japan-born comedian Hiroshi Neko, Cambodia's pick to represent it in the Olympic marathon in London this summer, has been rejected by the world ruling body for track and field, which says he is not yet eligible to represent the Southeast Asian nation. (Japan Times)

Sumo: Hakuho triumphs again

Japan Times — 2012-05-08 22:40:24

His opening-day defeat seemingly a minor blip, Hakuho chased out top-ranked maegashira Takayasu to post his second straight win at the Summer Grand Sumo Tournament on Tuesday. (Japan Times)

Sumo: Hakuho bounces back after defeat in opener

Japan Times — 2012-05-07 22:32:59

Kakuryu was the biggest casualty of the ozeki rank in a stunning defeat to rank-and-filer Myogiryu, and yokozuna Hakuho rebounded from a first-day loss at the Summer Grand Sumo Tournament Monday. (Japan Times)

Sumo: Hakuko stumbles at start of summer basho

Japan Times — 2012-05-07 05:28:21

The man least expected to tumble out of the gate did just that on the opening day of the Summer Grand Sumo Tournament. Grand champion Hakuho was sent to a shock defeat at the hands of Aminishiki, while sumo's six ozeki, featuring newly promoted Mongolian Kakuryu, got off to flying starts at the 15-day meet on Sunday. (Japan Times)

Golf: Ryo Ishikawa commits to play in next month's FedEx St. Jude Classic

commercialappeal.com — 2012-05-03 22:14:02

Japan's Ryo Ishikawa, his country's top golfer and one of the sport's young rising stars, has committed to play in next month's FedEx St. Jude Classic at the Tournament Players Club at Southwind. (commercialappeal.com)

Baseball: Hideki Matsui eager to get started with Rays in minor league

Japan Today — 2012-05-02 05:00:53

Hideki Matsui thinks he can still perform at a high level and help the Tampa Bay Rays. "I really don't have any doubts," the two-time AL All-Star said Tuesday during a news conference at Tropicana Field that two television stations broadcast live back to Japan. (Japan Today)

Rugby: Japan emphatic in Asian Five Nations win

witness.co.za — 2012-04-29 23:27:25

Defending champions Japan demolished Kazakhstan 87-0 in their Asian Five Nations opener to maintain their perfect record in the competition. Japan scored 13 tries and showed glimpses of the high-speed rugby new coach Eddie Jones wants his side to play as they recorded their 17th straight victory in the competition on Saturday. (witness.co.za)

Baseball: Giants, 4 players demand Asahi correction, apology

Yomiuri — 2012-04-29 01:20:42

The Yomiuri Giants and four of its players have filed a complaint against The Asahi Shimbun's Press and Human Rights Committee, claiming the Asahi libeled them and violated their privacy with an article that reported contract amounts and related money paid by the team to the players. (Yomiuri)

Olympics: Japan hammer champ relishes Olympic challenge

Bangkok Post — 2012-04-29 00:39:24

Japan's world hammer throw champion Koji Murofushi has said he is thrilled at the chance of competing for a second Olympic gold this year, and may even continue his career until the next Games. (Bangkok Post)

Baseball: 'Rock star' Yu Darvish set to make Toronto debut

The Star — 2012-04-29 00:36:54

After Yu Darvish's first three major-league starts, Blue Jays fans would be forgiven for smugly dreaming up words that rhymed with "BUST" to write on the handmade signs they planned to bring to the Rogers Centre this week. (The Star)

Olympics: Canadian skater Tran considering Japanese citizenship to compete in 2014 Olympics

Washington Post — 2012-04-26 22:51:58

Canadian figure skater Mervin Tran is considering changing his nationality to compete for Japan at the 2014 Sochi Olympics. International Skating Union rules allowed Tran to compete for Japan with partner Narumi Takahashi at the world championships last month, where they took bronze in the pairs competition in Nice, France. But he needs full citizenship to compete for Japan at the Olympics. (Washington Post)

Olympics: Japanese official confident of at least 6 golds in London

Mainichi — 2012-04-24 03:57:01

Mitsuo Tsukahara, deputy chef de mission of Japan's London Olympic delegation, said Monday he is sure about six gold medals at this point because of the excellent form shown by athletes such as Kosuke Kitajima. (Mainichi)

Tennis: Japan win berth in Fed Cup World Group

AFP — 2012-04-22 11:47:25

Ayumi Morita secured a berth in the Fed Cup World Group next season when she defeated Tamaryn Hendler to give Japan an insurmountable 3-0 lead over Belgium on Sunday. It will be the first time since 2007 that Japan will return to the elite eight-team World Group. (AFP)

Skating: Japan edges US to win World Team Trophy

ESPN — 2012-04-22 02:59:14

Akiko Suzuki finished second in the free skate and first overall in the women's program on Saturday and host Japan won the International Skating Union's World Team Trophy. Ashley Wagner of the United States won the free skate with 122.29 points, but Japan held a solid eight-point lead after Daisuke Takahashi won the men's free skate on Friday and finished the competition with 55 points, two ahead of the U.S. (ESPN)

Soccer: Which direction is Japan soccer going?

China Daily — 2012-04-20 04:23:05

Argentine great Osvaldo "Ossie" Ardiles urged J-League clubs to spend big to lure the "very, very best" - even Barcelona's Lionel Messi - and warned they were now losing out to deep-pocketed China. (China Daily)

Golf: Ishikawa to skip U.S. Open qualifiers

Japan Times — 2012-04-19 23:14:24

Ryo Ishikawa said Wednesday that he will not play in next month's Japanese U.S. Open qualifier and will try to qualify through the world rankings. "I want to pick up the necessary points over the next two weeks," he said, referring to the Japan PGA Championship and the Totoumi Hamamatsu Open. (Japan Times)

Olympics: Japan aims for top five finish at London Olympics

zeenews — 2012-04-19 22:12:35

Japan is aiming for a top five finish at the London Olympics 2012 with its athletes fired up in an effort to rewrite the country`s history in the Games. Securing a place in the top five means Japan will have to win at least 15 gold medals. (zeenews)

Golf: Jones fires 62 for 11th win in Japan

Yomiuri — 2012-04-15 22:53:18

Australian Brendan Jones fired a 9-under 62 on Sunday to win the Japanese golf tour's season-opening Token Homemate Cup by two strokes. Jones, who started the final round tied for sixth, three strokes off the lead, carded nine birdies - including six on the back nine - to finish at 15-under 269 for his 11th career victory in Japan. (Yomiuri)

Rugby: Japan to host Pacific Nations Cup in June

Yomiuri — 2012-04-12 22:06:17

Reigning champion Japan will host the 2012 Pacific Nations Cup, the International Rugby Board announced Thursday. A year after the Japan Rugby Football Union was forced to relinquish all but one game of the 2011 competition as a result of the March 11 disaster, the IRB announced that five of this year's matches will take place in Japan, which will host the sport's flagship event--the Rugby World Cup--in 2019. (Yomiuri)

Olympics: Japan goes bananas for 71-year-old horseman

Reuters — 2012-04-12 22:06:17

Japanese dressage rider Hiroshi Hoketsu looks and dresses more like a soccer manager in his early 50s than the world's oldest Olympian at 71-years-old. Meet the Benjamin Button of this year's London Olympics. A national celebrity, Hoketsu greets you with a firm handshake, his sharp wit and fierce determination striking you immediately. (Reuters)

Golf: Ishikawa sets sights on money title

Japan Times — 2012-04-11 23:51:52

Even after a winless 2011, Ryo Ishikawa is expected to be the center of attention again on the JGTO Tour because of his ability and popularity as the season begins Thursday with the Token Homemate Cup in Mie Prefecture. The 20-year-old Ishikawa has at least two goals for 2012: to win his second career money title in Japan and finish in the top 125 on the PGA money list to earn a U.S. tour card for 2013. (Japan Times)

Golf: Japan Tour gets underway in Nagoya

iseekgolf.com — 2012-04-11 14:30:47

The Japan Golf Tour begins its 2012 schedule this week when the traditional opening event of the season, the Token Homemate Cup, is played at the Token Tado Country Club in Nagoya. The Japan Golf Tour did actually jointly sanction an event with the One Asia Tour three weeks ago but it was essentially an experiement as the money won by Nick Cullen did not count towards the Japan Golf Tour money list. Nor did the event provide Cullen with access to the Japan Tour so to all effects and purposes it was a litmus test only. (iseekgolf.com)

Horse racing: Fukushima horse track opens for first time since 3/11 earthquake

Tokyo Reporter — 2012-04-10 08:32:29

The Japan Racing Association (JRA) welcomed a large turnout over the weekend as it reopened its horse track in Fukushima Prefecture for the first time since the Great East Japan Earthquake of March 11, 2011, reports Yukan Fuji (April 9). The Fukushima Race Course, located in Fukushima City, hosted over 30,000 race fans on both Saturday and Sunday - the first race days for the track in approximately 18 months. (Tokyo Reporter)

Sumo: First Arab wrestler chases glory in Japan

AFP — 2012-04-09 11:56:51

With legs resembling tree trunks and packing the body weight of two average-sized men, sumo wrestling's "Great Sandstorm" would seem a good fit for the wildly popular Japanese sport. But Egypt's Abdelrahman Ahmed Shaalan, the first professional sumo wrestler from both the African continent and Arab world, faces some mighty challenges as he embarks on a quest to become a yokozuna, or grand champion. (AFP)

Olympics: Joy and pain for comeback king Kitajima

Reuters — 2012-04-09 11:55:54

Wincing and gasping for breath, Kosuke Kitajima gave the impression of a man clinging on for dear life at the Japanese national swimming championships. Looks can deceive. As excruciating as the pain coursing through his body was, the 29-year-old became the first Japanese swimmer to qualify for four Olympics last week, showing glimpses of his top form. (Reuters)

Golf: Japanese golf star Ryo Ishikawa engaged

AFP — 2012-04-09 08:19:53

Young Japanese golf star and heartthrob Ryo Ishikawa has disappointed his legions of female admirers by announcing his engagement to his childhood sweetheart. Nicknamed "The Bashful Prince", he stayed true to form with the announcement, giving scant details about his forthcoming nuptials, including the name of his intended. (AFP)

Baseball: Japan's new ace? The search is on

New York Times — 2012-04-07 23:01:48

On the side of the Nippon Ham Fighters' spring training bullpen reserved for fan viewing, onlookers clutching cellphones, video cameras and even children jockeyed to capture a glimpse of the pitcher who had started throwing. The center of attention was not Yu Darvish this time, for he had signed a six-year contract with the Texas Rangers. (New York Times)

Swimming: Kitajima triumphs in 200-meter breaststroke at nationals

Japan Times — 2012-04-06 20:16:39

Once again, the Olympic hero proved he's Japan's undisputed king of the pool. And it looks like he's got a good rival and supporting cast now. Kosuke Kitajima edged Ryo Tateishi, winning the men's 200-meter breaststroke final with a solid time of 2 minutes, 8.00 seconds in the Japan National Championships on Friday night. (Japan Times)

Baseball: Japan's reputation at stake in 'Yu-phoria'

AFP — 2012-04-06 07:10:55

When Yu Darvish, Japan's latest high-priced baseball export, makes his debut in the regular US major league season, it is not just the reputation of his blazing right hand that will be at stake. Darvish has taken it upon himself to rescue the pride and bragging rights of reigning world champions Japan, after a run of failures by his countrymen in Major League Baseball. (AFP)

Swimming: Terakawa books ticket to London

Japan Times — 2012-04-05 23:36:27

Aya Terakawa booked a trip to the London Olympics by winning the women's 100-meter backstroke in a Japan record of 59.10 seconds at the national championships on Thursday. Terakawa, who won a silver at last year's world championships in the 50 which is a non-Olympic event, chipped 0.03 off her own mark to return to the Summer Games after missing out on Beijing four years ago. (Japan Times)

Swimming: Kitajima qualifies for London Olympics

foxnews.com — 2012-04-03 22:45:23

Kosuke Kitajima has qualified for his fourth Olympics after winning the men's 100-meter breaststroke at Japan's swimming championships. Kitajima, who captured gold in the 100- and 200 breaststroke events at Athens and Beijing, won Tuesday's final with a time of 58.90 seconds. Ryo Tateishi finished second in 59.60 and also secured an Olympic berth. (foxnews.com)

Swimming: Kitajima eyes home rivals in Olympics bid

Bangkok Post — 2012-04-02 10:27:15

Japan's four-time Olympic swimming champion Kosuke Kitajima thinks the challenge from his compatriots is tougher than ever, as he bids to qualify for the London Games and go for a third consecutive golden double. The 29-year-old, who retained the 100m and 200m Olympic breaststroke titles at the 2008 Beijing Games, must finish first or second in each distance at the Japanese national championships starting Monday to book a ticket to London. (Bangkok Post)

Soccer: Japan's iron ladies miss U.S. hat-trick

Reuters — 2012-04-01 21:58:02

World Cup holders Japan were held 1-1 by the United States in a women's soccer friendly on Sunday, failing in their bid to beat the Olympic champions for the third time running. Named after a frilly pink flower, Japan's 'Nadeshiko' bullied their way in front in quake-ravaged Sendai with a superb move in the 32nd minute. (Reuters)

Rugby: Japan defeated in three matches at Tokyo Sevens

Japan Times — 2012-04-01 06:23:57

Japan lost all three of its Group A matches on the opening day of the two-day Tokyo Sevens rugby tournament Saturday. Japan fell to England 15-5, Fiji 26-7 and France 24-5 at Prince Chichibu Memorial Ground as the host country failed to finish in the top two in Group A for a quarterfinal berth in the seventh leg of the seven-man rugby World Series. (Japan Times)

Basketball: Ex-Hoosier Washington out of jail after Japan drug charges dropped

cbssports.com — 2012-04-01 06:21:20

Former Indiana basketball player Lynn Washington has been released from an Osaka jail after charges he attempted to smuggle marijuana into Japan were dropped. The 33-year-old forward for Osaka Evessa spent 18 days in jail after being arrested on March 13 over allegations he violated Japan's Cannabis Control Law. (cbssports.com)

Baseball: Ichiro Suzuki a hit in Japan as Mariners beat A's

newsday.com — 2012-03-29 12:02:27

Ichiro Suzuki gave his fans in Japan a performance to cheer about. Suzuki had four hits in his return home, Dustin Ackley homered and singled in the go-ahead run in the 11th inning, and the Seattle Mariners beat the Oakland Athletics 3-1 Wednesday night in baseball's season opener. (newsday.com)

Sumo: Kakuryu formally promoted to ozeki

Japan Times — 2012-03-28 22:41:38

The Japan Sumo Association on Wednesday formally decided to promote Mongolian wrestler Kakuryu to sumo's second highest rank of ozeki. Kakuryu, who nearly won the title at last week's Spring Grand Sumo Tournament before losing to yokozuna Hakuho in a playoff, becomes the first wrestler to attain the rank since Kisenosato at the Kyushu Basho last November. (Japan Times)

Horse racing: Japan enters 7 strong runners for the world's richest horse

khaleejtimes.com — 2012-03-27 07:50:06

Trust the Japanese to do things in style in their own very special way especially when something devastating hits them. This year, 'Team Japan' has seven horses running in the Group 1 Dubai World Cup meeting. Transcend, the six-year-old son of Wild Rush, is currently the most well-known of the group, having completed the 1-2 line up of Japan in the world's richest race last year. (khaleejtimes.com)

Baseball: Suzuki ignites A's in victory over Giants

Japan Times — 2012-03-25 23:02:21

The Oakland Athletics won one for MLB. After watching the Seattle Mariners go down earlier in the day, the A's got a big assist from a two-run homer by Kurt Suzuki in a 5-0 win over the Yomiuri Giants on Sunday night at Tokyo Dome. (Japan Times)

Sumo: Hakuho beats Kakuryu to clinch 22nd title

Japan Today — 2012-03-25 11:08:05

Mongolian Yokozuna Hakuho beat compatriot sekiwake Kakuryu in a playoff bout on Sunday to clinch his 22nd sumo title. Hakuho went into the final day with a 12-2 record, while Kakuryu-with a 13-1 record-only had to win to clinch the title. However, Kakuryu lost to Goedo, and Hakuho downed Baruto, leaving both Mongolian wrestlers on 13-2. (Japan Today)

Olympics: Japan hoping stage is set for old campaigner Hiroshi Hoketsu's golden age

telegraph.co.uk — 2012-03-24 02:42:05

When you say this to the world's oldest Olympian Hiroshi Hoketsu, who celebrates his 71st birthday on Wednesday, his routinely dignified, serious demeanour - you are not surprised to hear how one Japanese trainer used to call him "His Majesty" - melts into a delighted fit of laughter. "Thank you, thank you!" he splutters. Oh come on, Hiro, you must get these compliments all the time? "No, no just from you!" he protests. (telegraph.co.uk)

Sumo: Kakuryu alone at top after Hakuho stumbles

Japan Times — 2012-03-23 21:57:52

Mongolian yokozuna Hakuho suffered a stunning defeat to bogeyman Kisenosato on Friday, allowing compatriot Kakuryu to take sole possession of the lead heading into the final weekend of the Spring Grand Sumo Tournament. Sekiwake Kakuryu kept his hopes of a maiden title alive with victory over ozeki Kotoshogiku at Osaka Prefectural Gymnasium and found himself one win clear at 12-1 after Hakuho (11-2) lost the plot to a wrestler that has so often been a thorn in his side in recent years. (Japan Times)