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
Wolf Aaron Defends 10 Million Yen Prize, Dominates Judo Gold Medalist Naoto Takato in Hybrid Challenge Wolf Aaron, the Tokyo Olympic gold medalist in the 100kg judo category, successfully defended a 10-million-yen prize on April 11, capping off a dominant performance in a high-stakes combat challenge. In a clash of Olympic champions, Aaron secured a … Read more
The Round-Trip Ticket: Yuta Goke’s Emotional Return to Vissel Kobe In the high-stakes world of professional football, a move from a top-flight division to a lower tier is often viewed as a “one-way ticket”—a calculated risk that can either lead to a career rebirth or a slow fade into obscurity. For Yuta Goke, a midfielder … Read more
Japan Sumo Association Demotes Former Yokozuna Terunofuji Following Violence Incident The Japan Sumo Association (JSA) announced on Thursday, April 9, 2026, that it has issued a disciplinary demotion to Isegahama-oyakata, the former Yokozuna Terunofuji, after he admitted to physically assaulting one of his disciples. The decision follows an extraordinary board meeting held in Tokyo to … Read more
Miyanokaze Eyes Return: Recovery Timeline and Training After Arm Surgery Miyanokaze Yo is beginning the arduous process of climbing back up the ranks of professional sumo. After missing the entirety of the March (Haru) basho, the Makushita-ranked wrestler was spotted back in the training ring on Wednesday, April 8, focusing on the fundamental movements necessary … Read more