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July 24, 2026
 

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Rich Freeman
Rugby / ADDING THE EXTRAS
May 1, 2020
Rule change leaves trio of naturalized Top League players in limbo
The group, which includes two players who have represented Japan in sevens, is petitioning the Japan Rugby Football Union to recognize their status as local players.
Rugby / ADDING THE EXTRAS
Mar 28, 2020
Odd decisions, big questions amidst crises in Japanese rugby
With rugby seemingly done for the season, it is time to look back on a crazy few months that have seen Japanese rugby go from the highs of the 2019 Rugby World Cup to a state of confusion in which even a former Brave Blossoms captain is questioning what is going on.
Japan Times
Rugby / ADDING THE EXTRAS
Feb 28, 2020
Asian rugby tested as COVID-19 wipes out schedules
Rugby across Asia is feeling the full brunt of the coronavirus outbreak with games and tournaments getting called off at a rate of knots.
Japan Times
Rugby / ADDING THE EXTRAS
Jan 31, 2020
Last dance for Sunwolves complicates matters in 2020 Super Rugby campaign
Lance Conrad wrote in ¡°The Price of Nobility¡± that ¡°only a fool would underestimate a man with nothing to lose.¡±
Japan Times
Rugby / ADDING THE EXTRAS
Dec 27, 2019
Matching magic moments to karaoke classics in a historic year for Japan rugby
With the b¨­nenkai (year-end party) season in full swing, it is time to look back at a special year of rugby in Japan while also trying to predict what the future holds.
Japan Times
Rugby / ADDING THE EXTRAS
Aug 23, 2019
New No. 1 ranking for Wales means little before RWC
The rugby number crunchers have been out in full force in the past week both in terms of what goes on off the field and on it.
Rugby / ADDING THE EXTRAS
Aug 9, 2019
Risk of injury real concern before final squads named
With less than three weeks to go before the 2019 Rugby World Cup coaches name their final squads, and 41 days before the tournament kicks off in Tokyo, it is a nervous time for players.
Japan Times
Rugby / ADDING THE EXTRAS
Jul 26, 2019
Busy weekend sets stage for final preparations ahead of Japan¡¯s Rugby World Cup
Preparations for the Rugby World Cup step up a level this week with 10 of the participating sides playing test matches, as players look to impress coaches ahead of the announcement of the final tournament squads at the end of August.
Rugby / ADDING THE EXTRAS
Jul 12, 2019
Rugby World Cup fever set to bring masses to Japan
The 2019 Rugby World Cup has been dubbed by organizers as a ¡°once-in-a-lifetime¡± event. And for many of the more than 400,000 foreigners expected to travel here, it will be their one and only chance to visit Japan.
Rugby / ADDING THE EXTRAS
Jul 5, 2019
New JRFU boss Shigetaka Mori faces uphill battle to initiate needed reforms
As a player Shigetaka Mori, the new president of the Japan Rugby Football Union, knew all about success at the domestic level.
Japan Times
Rugby / ADDING THE EXTRAS
May 29, 2019
British stars expect Japan to be strong
With the 100-day-to-go milestone fast approaching, two well-known British rugby stars have said they think Japan will be one of the teams to watch out for at this year¡¯s Rugby World Cup.
Rugby / ADDING THE EXTRAS
May 2, 2019
JRFU¡¯s bewildering plans for Top League reform spark skepticism, opposition
The news that the Japan Rugby Top League is to undergo reform following this year¡¯s World Cup should have been met with heraldic fanfare, given the nation¡¯s recent entry into the Reiwa Era.
Japan Times
Rugby / ADDING THE EXTRAS
Mar 29, 2019
Future of Sunwolves in doubt after Super Rugby
Sunwolves CEO Yuji Watase put on a brave face last week despite clocking up air miles in the wake of the announcement his team would be not be part of the Super Rugby competition post 2020.
Rugby / ADDING THE EXTRAS
Feb 28, 2019
With ban lifted, Christian Loamanu hopes for return to Top League
Former Brave Blossoms wing Christian Loamanu is hoping for a shot at redemption and the opportunity to finish his rugby career in Japan. But he will have to get past some longstanding animosity and overcome some new challenges if his wish is to come true.
Rugby / ADDING THE EXTRAS
Jan 31, 2019
World Cup ticket woes frustrate rugby fans
¡°There are three sides to every story, baby. There¡¯s yours, and mine and the cold, hard truth.¡±
Rugby / ADDING THE EXTRAS
Dec 26, 2018
Cloud of uncertainty hovers over Top League
The New Year is traditionally a time for looking back on the past and looking ahead.
Rugby / ADDING THE EXTRAS
Nov 29, 2018
Japan making the top eight at 2019 Rugby World Cup will be no easy task
Japan coach Jamie Joseph said earlier this week that his team¡¯s ¡°Rugby World Cup final would be making the top eight.¡±
Japan Times
Rugby / ADDING THE EXTRAS
Nov 1, 2018
Young players make new friends at YCAC rugby clinic
While the All Blacks and Wallabies were doing their bit to woo Japanese rugby fans at last weekend¡¯s Bledisloe Cup match at Nissan Stadium, another group of Antipodean rugby players were in Japan doing an equally important job.
Rugby / ADDING THE EXTRAS
Oct 24, 2018
Brave Blossoms face key tests on road to 2019 World Cup
With preparations going smoothly and everything seemingly well on track off the field for a successful Rugby World Cup 2019, it¡¯s now time to see if Japan¡¯s preparations on the field are going just as well.
Japan Times
Rugby / ADDING THE EXTRAS
Sep 27, 2018
Kyushu set to play key role in RWC buildup
A sense of familiarity, long-standing historical ties, and a look to the future have ensured the southern island of Kyushu will resemble Little Britain in the buildup to next year¡¯s Rugby World Cup.
Japan scientists identify clusters of protein believed to trigger Alzheimer¡¯s disease
A team of researchers said they found a ¡°seed¡± that accelerates the amyloid beta accumulation process in the brain, naming it ¡°Peak 1 amyloid beta,¡± as seen in a mouse's brain.
Indian brothers make manga debut in Japan
Two Indian brothers made their manga debut in Japan with "Kung Fu Kung Fool" ¡ª an action-comedy series that follows the adventures of a notorious thief and a young boy.
Japan weighs regulating Pokemon cards amid trading mania
A Pokemon event is held in Jakarta on July 11
Low-income families in Japan cut food and air conditioning during summer break
Yumiko Watanabe, the chairperson of nonprofit Kidsdoor, explains the results of a survey in Tokyo's Chiyoda Ward on July 1.
Iran strikes on CIA facilities prompt questions about possible Russian role
Iranian drones are displayed in an undisclosed location in Iran, in this handout image obtained on Jan. 13, 2025.U.S. officials have acknowledged that Russia has ?provided targeting ?and other support for Iran in its drone strikes on U.S. targets in the Persian Gulf region.
The sci-fi sensibilities of electronic trio Black Boboi
Black Boboi was formed in 2018 when solo artists Julia Shortreed, Utena Kobayashi and Ermhoi came together under Kobayashi¡¯s newly founded label, Bindividual.
A perfect storm: Kaze Fujii fans flock to Fuji Rock
Okayama-born singer-songwriter Kaze Fujii has carved out a distinctive place in Japanese pop since his major-label debut in 2019.
Can Japanese comedy get laughs in English? Yoshimoto Kogyo lets the jokes rip
Wes-P has millions of followers and his viral clips made him recognizable out of Japan.
The 180-day locals: Life on Japan¡¯s digital nomad visa
Christopher Flinn works remotely from Tokyo earlier this month. Japan issued 646 digital nomad visas in 2025, but tourism officials are hoping to increase that figure in the coming years, with Japan's relatively cheap cost of living and the weak yen seen as potential draws for young professionals.
Japan reveals hint of new defense spending target in fiscal blueprint
The Self-Defense Forces' Type 16 mobile combat vehicle fires during a joint live-fire drill with U.S. Marines as part of the annual Resolute Dragon exercises in Yufu, Oita Prefecture, on June 28.

Podcast

One of the many entrances to the Kabukicho neighborhood in Tokyo¡¯s Shinjuku Ward.
Kabukicho: Tokyo¡¯s ¡®stadium of desire¡¯

Longform

For many people, utility poles and power lines have become such a familiar part of Japan¡¯s landscape that they often go unnoticed.
Why Japan¡¯s utility poles won¡¯t be disappearing anytime soon
By Alex K.T. Martin

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