FC Machida Zelvia Advances to ACL Final with 1-0 Win Over UAE Champions, Yuki Soma Scores Winner On April 21, 2026, FC Machida Zelvia secured a historic 1-0 victory over Al-Hilal in the AFC Champions League Elite semifinal second leg, booking their place in the tournament final. The Japanese club, playing away in Saudi Arabia, … Read more
B1 League: Tomita Tops Japanese Scorers as Shiga Lakes Secure Vital Win April 6, 2024 – In a tightly contested B1 League clash that carried significant playoff implications, Shiga Lakes forward Ryoma Tomita delivered a hallmark performance of composure under pressure, leading all Japanese players in scoring while helping his team secure a crucial victory … Read more
Seiko Watanabe Claims Historic First All-Japan Women’s Judo Title in Open Weight Division Yokohama, Japan — In a stunning display of skill and determination, 26-year-old Seiko Watanabe from Fukushima Prefecture captured the All-Japan Women’s Judo Championship in the open weight division on February 19, 2024, defeating seasoned rivals in her tournament debut to claim Japan’s … Read more
Kansai University and Doshisha University will meet in the opening game of the 2025 Kansai Student Baseball Federation season on Saturday, April 18, at 1:00 p.m. Japan Standard Time (UTC+9). The matchup marks the first contest for both teams in the spring league, which features six universities from the Kansai region competing for a chance … Read more
WUHAN, China — In a gripping finale that tested nerves and resilience, the Japanese duo of Uesugi Kaito and his partner seized victory in the Wuhan Open 2 doubles final on Saturday, overcoming a deficit to clinch the ATP Challenger title in straight sets. The match, held at the Wuhan Tennis Center under clear skies … Read more
Defending Champion Tanaka Rei Aims for Back-to-Back Titles at Japan Women’s Judo Championships The defending champion Tanaka Rei of the Osaka Prefectural Police will seek to repeat as Japan’s top female judoka when the 41st Empress’s Cup All-Japan Women’s Judo Championships get underway on April 19, 2026, at Yokohama Budokan in Yokohama, Japan. Tanaka, who … Read more
Japanese Public High School Baseball Coach Backs 7-Inning Format Amid Nationwide Debate In a surprising turn in Japan’s ongoing high school baseball reform discussion, a public school coach from Ibaraki Prefecture has openly endorsed the proposed shift to 7-inning games, challenging the deeply entrenched tradition of 9-inning play that has defined the sport for generations. … Read more
Shirosato Shirashi Wins National High School Judo Title Following World Cadet Gold Okayama’s Shirosato Shirashi capped a remarkable rise in Japanese women’s judo by winning the women’s 52kg division at the 2026 National High School Judo Championships held at Nippon Budokan in Tokyo on March 27, 2026. The victory marks Shirashi’s second major title in … Read more
Hachimura Eyes Aggressive Approach for Lakers-Rockets Playoff Clash The intensity of the NBA postseason is returning, and for Rui Hachimura, the stakes have never felt more immediate. As the Los Angeles Lakers prepare to tip off their first-round series against the Houston Rockets on April 18 (April 19 Japan time), the 28-year-old forward is signaling … Read more
Bracket Set for 98th Spring Prefectural High School Baseball Tournament The road to Nagano has officially begun. The draw for the 98th Spring Prefectural High School Baseball Tournament took place on April 14, 2026, establishing the path for 37 teams competing for a coveted spot in the regional championships. For the athletes and coaches involved, … Read more