Takahiko Fukuda’s path to becoming president of SOMPO Care Foods began not in a boardroom, but on a baseball diamond. Born in Yokohama in 1977, Fukuda dedicated his early life to the sport, starting at age five and pitching through high school where he attracted attention as a potential professional draft pick. Instead of pursuing … Read more
The Imperial Police have named 51 officers as special training personnel in a ceremony held at the Sei’neikan martial arts hall within the Imperial Palace grounds, marking the force’s 140th anniversary. The appointment ceremony took place on January 24 at the Sei’neikan, a traditional martial arts facility located in Chiyoda Ward, Tokyo, as reported by … Read more
Kyoto, Japan – April 23, 2026 – After a decade-long absence, Kyoto Prefecture Police will have a representative at the All-Japan Judo Championships as officer Nakao Kosuke prepares for his debut in the open-weight division at the Nippon Budokan on April 26. The 27-year-old judoka, who joined the Kyoto police force in 2023 as a … Read more
Judo’s Okada Aims for Asian Games Gold After National Title Win Japanese judoka Rikuto Okada has set his sights on Asian Games gold after capturing his first national title in the men’s 90kg division at the All-Japan Selection Weight Class Championships in early April. The 23-year-old from Tsukigata, Hokkaido, representing Asahi Kasei, secured his maiden … Read more
The 42nd Japan Open wheelchair tennis tournament got underway on Tuesday, April 22, 2026, at the Iizuka Sports Resort Tennis Courts and the Chikuho Prefectural Green Space Tennis Courts in Fukuoka Prefecture, with defending men’s singles champion Dai Arai beginning his title defense with a straight-set victory in the first round. The Japan Open, officially … Read more
School Commute Accident Shapes Lifelong Bond Between Teens in Fukuoka On a September morning in 2023, a collision between a light vehicle and a bicycle in Fukuoka City changed the course of two teenagers’ lives. The incident occurred near a rice paddy path where spider lilies bloomed along the roadside — an ordinary route for … 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
Taira Junior Judo Class Kicks Off Fresh Season in Iwaki City The Taira Judo Association has officially launched its youth program for the year, welcoming a new cohort of students to the mats in Fukushima Prefecture. On April 9, the organization held the opening ceremony for the Taira Junior Judo Class at the Iwaki City … 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
Ryuju Nagayama Announces Birth of Second Child Following World Championship Success Japanese judo star Ryuju Nagayama is celebrating a major victory off the tatami. The Paris 2024 Olympic medalist and current world champion announced the birth of his second child on April 12, sharing the news and a photo of the recent sibling with his … Read more