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News at japantimes.co.jp

Tuesday, Apr 23

05

South Korea's Son Jun-ho joins fifth-tier side after China release

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South Korean international soccer player Son Jun-ho has joined an amateur fifth-tier club on his comeback from 10 months' detention in China.

Friday, Apr 12

11

Tributes pour in after jockey Kota Fujioka dies following fall

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The racing world reacted with shock and sadness after jockey Kota Fujioka died following a fall during a race, the second fatality to hit the sport in as many weeks.

Thursday, Apr 4

04

Rubiales arrested at airport over alleged federation graft scandal

Spanish police on Wednesday briefly arrested disgraced ex-football chief Luis Rubiales in connection with an alleged graft scandal at the RFEF football federation when he was president.

Friday, Mar 29

06

Former China coach pleads guilty to taking millions in bribes

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Former China soccer coach and ex-Everton midfielder Li Tie pleaded guilty on Thursday to accepting over $10 million in bribes, a court said, part of a broader crackdown on corruption in Chinese soccer.

Tuesday, Mar 26

04

Former China soccer chief given life sentence for 'huge' bribery

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The former chairman of the Chinese Football Association has been sentenced to life in prison for accepting bribes worth $11 million, state media said Tuesday, part of a crackdown on corruption in the domestic game.

03

Ozeki Kotonowaka to change ring name to Kotozakura

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Sumo wrestler Kotonowaka is set to change his ring name to Kotozakura, taking over the name of his former yokozuna grandfather, the ozeki's father and stablemaster revealed Monday.

Monday, Mar 25

02

In Russia, fingers point anywhere but at Islamic State group for concert hall attack

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Bodies were recovered, flowers were laid and fingers were pointed Sunday as competing narratives took shape over who was behind the terrorist attack on a Russian concert hall where at least 137 people out to enjoy an evening of music were…

Sunday, Mar 24

Longtime Orioles owner Peter Angelos dies at 94

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Longtime Baltimore Orioles owner Peter Angelos died Saturday at the age of 94, the team announced.

Friday, Mar 22

10

MLB games streamed to skeptical South Korean fans herald global shift

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For the thousands of baseball fans in South Korea who failed to get tickets to see superstar Shohei Ohtani’s Los Angeles Dodgers debut this week, $3.75 was the price tag to watch the Seoul event live online. That may seem cheap in months…

04

North Korea-Japan World Cup qualifier called off over 'unforeseen circumstances'

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North Korea's home World Cup qualifier against Japan was called off on Friday, the Asian Football Confederation said, hours after announcing it would be moved to a neutral venue.

Wednesday, Mar 20

10

K-pop stars to help showcase South Korea during Seoul Series

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Shohei Ohtani won’t be the only VIP present at Seoul’s Gocheok Sky Dome on Wednesday as K-pop idols, celebrity athletes and government officials join the opportunity to showcase South Korea to the world at the MLB season opener.

09

No explosives found at Seoul stadium after bomb threat against Ohtani

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South Korean police on Wednesday said no explosives had been found at Seoul's Gocheok Sky Dome after they searched the venue in response to a reported bomb threat against Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani.

07

Japan warns football fans not to go to North Korea for World Cup qualifier

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Japan has warned soccer fans not to attempt to travel to "hostile" North Korea for next week's men's World Cup qualifier in Pyongyang.

Monday, Mar 18

06

North Korean World Cup player says Japan game more than just soccer

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An Yong Hak was born and raised in Japan but he will be cheering for North Korea — his former team — when the two sides clash in a World Cup qualifier in Tokyo on Thursday.

Thursday, Mar 14

09

Koki Ogawa and Yuto Nagatomo called up for Japan's matches against North Korea

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NEC Nijmegen forward Koki Ogawa received his first Japan call-up since 2019, while veteran fullback Yuto Nagatomo was also recalled Thursday ahead of the Samurai Blue's two upcoming World Cup qualifiers against North Korea.

Wednesday, Mar 13

02

Talks between PGA Tour and Saudi fund 'accelerating'

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PGA Tour chief Jay Monahan said Tuesday talks with the Saudi Arabian backers of LIV Golf were "accelerating" but was tight-lipped on how the proposed joint venture between the two bodies would work.

Tuesday, Mar 12

03

Massa takes action against F1, FIA and Ecclestone in High Court

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Former Ferrari driver Felipe Massa has taken action in the London High Court against Formula One, former commercial supremo Bernie Ecclestone and the governing FIA seeking recognition as 2008 world champion and financial compensation.

Japan-North Korea World Cup game to stay in Pyongyang, says JFA

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Japan's World Cup qualifier against North Korea will be played in Pyongyang as planned later this month, the Japan Football Association said it had been told on Monday.

Wednesday, Mar 6

02

FIA looking into allegations that chief tried to nix Las Vegas F1 race

The president of Formula One's governing body, Mohammed Ben Sulayem, faced accusations on Tuesday that he had sought to prevent circuit approval for last year's showcase Las Vegas Grand Prix.

Baseball United to bring professional baseball to Saudi Arabia

Baseball United has signed an agreement that gives it an unlimited term to host its professional league and tournaments in Saudi Arabia, a source close to the matter said Tuesday.

Wednesday, Feb 28

13

Japan beats North Korea to clinch Olympic spot

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Nadeshiko Japan coach Futoshi Ikeda targeted Olympic gold after his team qualified for the Paris Games with a hard-fought 2-1 win over North Korea in the second leg of their Asian qualifying tie on Wednesday.

Tuesday, Feb 27

10

Coach urges Japan to be 'aggressive' against North Korea

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Coach Futoshi Ikeda promised Japan would be "aggressive" against North Korea as it looks to qualify for the Paris Olympics in a winner-takes-all women's football showdown in Tokyo on Wednesday.

03

Tough domestic league behind North Korea's soccer success

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North Korean soccer has been competitive in international play despite having fewer chances to face other national teams due to limited diplomatic ties.

Sunday, Feb 25

07

Nadeshiko Japan and North Korea draw first leg of final Olympic qualifier

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Japan and North Korea remained on level terms in their final qualifier for the Paris Olympic women's football tournament following a scoreless draw in the opening leg Saturday in Saudi Arabia.

Friday, Feb 23

05

Former Seibu slugger David MacKinnon embraces new challenge with South Korea's Lions

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If someone had asked David MacKinnon early in the offseason about what he thought spring training would be like in 2024, he might have guessed that he would be in Japan preparing for another season in Asia with the Lions.

Wednesday, Feb 21

08

A 'safe bet' Yamamoto will start in South Korea, Dodgers manager says

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Yoshinobu Yamamoto is expected to make the first MLB start of his career in South Korea in March, Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Tuesday.

03

High school star Sasaki drawn to Stanford by baseball and academics

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Trailblazing Japanese high school slugger Rintaro Sasaki said Tuesday he chose to attend Stanford University in California because of its standing as both a good baseball school and an academic powerhouse.

Tuesday, Feb 20

Japan heads to Saudi Arabia for Olympic qualifier against N. Korea

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Japan's national women's soccer team is preparing to play the first of its two final Olympic qualifying games against North Korea in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, the Japan Football Association announced Tuesday.

Friday, Feb 16

15

Seoul mayor hopes interest in Shohei Ohtani and MLB brings more games to South Korea

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As Seoul prepares to host one of the most hotly anticipated MLB season openers ever next month, its mayor is seeking to make MLB games regular events in South Korea.

10

South Korea fires Jurgen Klinsmann after disappointing showing at Asian Cup

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Jurgen Klinsmann was fired as manager of the South Korean men's national soccer team Friday in the wake of a disappointing exit from the Asian Cup in Qatar.