Sports
Congrats to Koji Murofushi! 09.02.11

The 13th World Championships in Athletics are being held in Daegu, South Korea right now, and Japanese hammer thrower, Koji Murofushi won a gold medal at 36 years old! It was his first world gold medal and he became the … READ MORE
Nomo, Hasegawa bring Japanese youth baseball team to USA 08.25.11

Former Major League Baseball players Hideo Nomo and Shigetoshi Hasegawa, pitchers who rose to prominence in Japan before making the switch to the USA, recently took part in bringing a Japanese youth baseball team to the USA for a tournament … READ MORE
Is Yu Darvish Going to Come to the United States? 08.16.11

Yu Darvish, widely considered one of the best Japanese pitchers currently playing, has hired agent Arn Tellem and Don Nomura to represent him. This had led many baseball people to assume that Darvish is considering signing with an American baseball … READ MORE
Brazil’s Santos FC: Racist, or just misguided? 08.10.11

Santos FC, a Brazilian soccer club, is promoting its upcoming FIFA Club World Cup appearance with the ad featured below. In it, some players appear to be making what some have called a “slanty-eyed” approach. Some people view this as … READ MORE
Check out this amazing & dangerous baseball catch 08.10.11

This attempt alone is pretty remarkable, but what makes it truly stand out is the fact that the second baseman actually ends up holding onto the ball, even after smashing face-first into the wall. Talk about giving your all…note the … READ MORE
Forget batting cages and tees, use the Jet Hitter! 08.09.11

The “Jet Hitter” has a chance to be pretty revolutionary, if it gets past prototype stage. For decades, professional baseball players, amateurs, Little Leaguers, and wannabes have practiced their hitting skills via batting cages (which fire a baseball from a high-powered cannon-like … READ MORE
A Look Back on the Troubled Life of Hideki Irabu 08.03.11

Hideki Irabu was a promising young Japanese pitcher who never had a enjoyable time in Major League Baseball. His life spiraled downwards after his short-lived MLB career ended, culminating in his tragic death last week. Police found him in his … READ MORE
Japanese national soccer team to be given civic award 08.02.11

The Japanese women’s national soccer team, who defeated the United States in the Championship game of the women’s World Cup on July 17, will receive the People’s Honour Award for their thrilling overtime victory. Japan’s chief cabinet secretary, Yukio Edano, … READ MORE
The saga of Kei Igawa – the forgotten Japanese baseball star 07.27.11

Much has been written here about Major League Baseball and the various Japanese stars who moved over to the United States from Japan to continue their careers and hopefully break new ground. Hideki Matsui, Hideo Nomo, and Ichiro Suzuki are … READ MORE
Hideki Matsui finally hits career home run #500 07.22.11

Two days ago, in a game between his Oakland Athletics and the Detroit Tigers, Japanese baseball star Hideki Matsui finally hit his 500th career home run. He did not hit all 500 home runs while playing for a MLB team, … READ MORE
Japan’s soccer team returns home as World Cup Champions 07.19.11

With Sunday’s thrilling World Cup title match between the United States and Japan coming down to penalty kicks, an air of anticipation and nervous energy was most likely palpable across both countries. When Japan emerged victorious, defeating the US in … READ MORE
New book: biography of Kenichi Zenimura, Japanese baseball legend 07.15.11

I’ve written a lot over the past few months about the relationship between Japan and the United States when it comes to Major League Baseball. The past twenty or so years have found many very talented Japanese players coming over … READ MORE
Should Major League Baseball have a USA vs. Japan All-Star Game? 07.12.11

With this week’s Major League Baseball All Star Game set to take place tonight from Chase Field in Phoenix, Arizona, all eyes in the pro sports world are tuning into the game…or not. Fan interest seems to be waning about … READ MORE