Sports
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
Hideki Matsui approaching milestone for himself, Japan 06.21.11

Hideki Matsui, one of the biggest names in the history of Japanese baseball, is nearing a milestone. Matsui, currently playing for the Oakland Athletics, has 499 career home runs, combining the 332 he compiled in his career in Japan and … READ MORE
The Importance of Being Ichiro Suzuki – a retrospective by Jay Kang 06.15.11

Jay Caspian Kang wrote a very long but incredibly interesting piece about “The Importance of Ichiro” for Grantland, a sports and pop culture website. In the lengthy piece, Kang touches on many aspects of Ichiro Suzuki, arguably Japan’s biggest baseball … READ MORE
Japan and Major League Baseball – a complicated relationship 06.08.11

The cultural differences between Japan and the United States are substantial. When considering baseball players who either go from the US to a career in Japan or vice-versa, these differences are on display prominently. Of particular note is the story … READ MORE
Japan’s #1 bike in the Ultimate Race 05.24.11

If you’ve been to Japan, or watched any dramas from Japan, or just know someone from Japan, you’ve already been introduced to one of these beauties Even if you still live in your parent’s collecting obscure Gundam figurines, if you … READ MORE
Today in wacky Japanese sports: Botaoshi 05.19.11

I don’t even know how to describe this. This is apparently a Japanese “sport” called Botaoshi that basically looks like rugby + a street fight + capture the flag. Just watch this video and make up your own assumptions: According … READ MORE
Are the Hanshin Tigers cursed? Or just unlucky? 05.18.11

Throughout the history of professional sports, there have been a few teams noted for being ‘cursed’. In Major League Baseball, the Boston Red Sox were supposedly haunted by the curse of Babe Ruth until 2004, when they broke an almost-century … READ MORE
Japanese Heritage Day a hit for Oakland Athletics and baseball stars Matsui, Suzuki 04.04.11

Yesterday, the Oakland A’s held Japanese Heritage Day. Before the game, which pitted Japanese stars Hideki Matsui and Ichiro Suzuki against each other yet again, there was a festive pre-game ceremony with taiko drums and Japanese music. During the game, … READ MORE
Ichiro Suzuki, Hideki Matsui, and their teams helping out Japan in a big way 03.22.11

Ichiro Suzuki and Hideki Matsui are living Japanese baseball legends. In an effort to show their concern and compassion for their home country, which has been ravaged in the past few weeks, both stars made big charitable donations to help … READ MORE
What does it mean to be a Japanese athlete? 11.22.10

Asahi.com just posted its first installment of an interesting new 5-part article. As the article describes, The Asahi Shimbun recently talked to coaches, officials and experts in various sports to study Japan’s strengths and potential on the global stage of … READ MORE
Tennis star putting up with stunt in Japan….of the day 11.11.10

So, this video is pretty old, but worth talking about. It’s a stunt that Maria Sharapova did back in 2008 (I think!) in Japan where she plays tennis against 4 men and one woman, all amateurs and there just to … READ MORE
Hisashi Iwakuma the next great Japanese import star to MLB? 11.08.10

Time for some sports talk! Hisashi Iwakuma, currently considered the 2nd best pitcher in Japan, appears to be on his way to the United States, as long as the Oakland Athletics are able to sign him. The A’s won the … READ MORE