Sports

Soccer J1 League: Yokohama F. Marinos Clinches Comeback Victory in the Season Opener

TOKYO, Feb 26 (News On Japan) - In the remaining two matches of the first round of the J1 League, a recreation of the opening card of the J.League in 1993 took place between Tokyo Verdy and Yokohama F. Marinos, with F. Marinos securing a come-from-behind victory with a score of 2-1 in the closing stages.

Verdy, who have returned to J1 after 16 years, took the lead in the first half at the 7-minute mark with a brilliant free-kick by 22-year-old Kaede Yamada. They maintained control and pushed forward, ending the first half with a 1-0 lead. F. Marinos, known for their offensive capabilities, struggled to score until the 44th minute of the second half when Anderson Lopez converted a penalty kick awarded for a handball by the opponent. In the dying moments of the match, defender Ken Matsubara scored a goal, allowing F. Marinos to repeat history with a 2-1 comeback win, mirroring the result of the league's inaugural match 31 years ago.

In another match, Kyoto Sanga managed to equalize in the final moments thanks to a goal by 18-year-old rookie Yuto Anzai, resulting in a 1-1 draw against Kashiwa Reysol.

Source: NHK

Japanese Woman Witnesses Crisis in Gaza

A Japanese woman working with Doctors Without Borders has delivered a harrowing account from Gaza, where severe food shortages and relentless Israeli airstrikes have pushed local hospitals and residents to the brink of collapse.

Hakodate Fishermen Brace for Another Poor Squid Season

The squid fishing season officially opened on June 1st in Hakodate, where 11 boats set out from the port despite recent years of severely depleted catches and early reports from Aomori, which began fishing in May, already indicating another poor haul.

Japan’s Healthcare in Crisis, Doctors Overworked as Research Time Dwindles

Amid mounting financial strain and work reform policies, Japan’s university hospitals are struggling to maintain the quality of their medical research, threatening the future of healthcare in the country. A recent survey of approximately 3,000 physicians working in university hospitals revealed that 60% spend less than five hours a week on research, with 22% reporting zero research time. The main reason: they are simply too busy with clinical duties to conduct research.

Former Princess Mako Komuro Has First Child in U.S.

Mako Komuro, the eldest daughter of the Akishino family and now living in the United States, has given birth to her first child, the Imperial Household Agency announced on May 30th. The agency stated that the birth was disclosed during a press conference after some media reports surfaced, despite their intention to allow Komuro to live in a quiet environment following her departure from the Imperial family.

Akie Abe Moved to Tears During Kremlin Visit with Putin

Akie Abe, widow of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, visited the Kremlin on May 29th and met with Russian President Vladimir Putin. During the meeting, Akie was seen tearfully listening to Putin’s words, reflecting the emotional nature of their exchange. Following the conversation, she was invited to ride in Putin’s official limousine to the Bolshoi Theatre, where the two attended a ballet performance together.

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