Revered Japanese distance race relays idea of peace
taipeitimes.com -- Jan 04
The long-distance road-running relay sport of ekiden is a national institution in Japan, where New Year’s races command massive TV audiences and turn unknown athletes into overnight stars.
Now ekiden’s greatest modern coach believes it can also become a global event on the Olympic stage — and even contribute to world peace.
Ekiden involves teams of runners covering long-distance relay stages of varying lengths, and has been held in Japan for more than a century.
The event took its inspiration from the samurai-era couriers who carried messages between Tokyo and the former imperial capital, Kyoto.
Ekiden is virtually unknown outside of Japan, but Susumu Hara, head coach of the all-conquering Aoyama Gakuin University team, believes it can become popular around the globe.

News On Japan - Sep 27
Experts have issued a warning regarding the bursting of balance balls, with 4 serious accidents reported in Japan over the past 3 years.

NHK - Sep 24
Ozeki champion Takakeisho has won his fourth title at the Autumn Grand Sumo Tournament.

punditfeed.com - Sep 24
Max Verstappen is back to his winning ways. The two-time champion won the Japanese Grand Prix in dominant fashion, inching closer to his third consecutive title.

The National - Sep 23
Double world champion Max Verstappen produced a superb performance to secure pole position in Sunday's Japanese Grand Prix.

FORMULA 1 - Sep 22
Jump onboard with Max Verstappen as he sets a blistering lap around the Suzuka Circuit.

newsonjapan.com - Sep 22
The Game Boy Advance (GBA) was an iconic handheld gaming console that brought countless hours of joy to gamers around the world.

Japan Today - Sep 21
The Japan Football Association has banned Urawa Reds from next season's Emperor's Cup and admonished the J.League club for violent fan conduct following a round-of-16 match of the tournament last month.

News On Japan - Sep 21
In anticipation of Hanshin Tigers victory in Japan's central baseball league last week, it has been revealed that the water level of Dotombori River was raised to prevent serious injuries to fans jumping in to celebrate.

FORMULA 1 - Sep 21
Our past trips to Japan have delivered some amazing duels between drivers over the years. From Schumacher and Hakkinen's tussle for pole in 2000 to Alonso and Vettel's wheel-to-wheel duel last year, enjoy five of the very best!

newsonjapan.com - Sep 21
Shohei Ohtani has achieved yet another impressive feat during his remarkable season.

racingnews365.com - Sep 20
Max Verstappen has drawn inspiration from the flag of Japan with his special helmet design for this weekend's Japanese Grand Prix at Suzuka.

News On Japan - Sep 19
History was made on Monday with the first-ever 'Shinkansen Pro Wrestling' event held inside the carriage of the Tokaido Shinkansen 'Nozomi 371' departing from Tokyo Station.

Kyodo - Sep 19
Japanese boxer Junto Nakatani made a successful first defense of his WBO super flyweight title Monday with a unanimous decision over Mexico's Argi Cortes.

Rugby World Cup - Sep 18
England and Japan went head-to-head in Nice as both sides looked to remain top of Pool D at Rugby World Cup 2023 after opening weekend wins!

Currently Hannah - Sep 18
We've all seen Fast & the Furious Tokyo Drift, but even after 8+ years living in Japan, I still had no idea what drifting is really like in Japan, until this day!

Kyodo - Sep 17
After being held out of his 11th straight game with a right oblique injury, Los Angeles Angels superstar Shohei Ohtani's Angel Stadium locker was cleaned out Friday, signaling he may be done playing for the season.