The U.S. House of Representatives on Tuesday passed a bill banning imports from China’s Xinjiang region amid concerns over forced labor of the Uyghur ethnic minority there, a move that is likely to worsen tensions between Washington and Beijing. The Uy…
Basketball: Konno developing game in NCAA with eye on Olympic prize
With her sights set on wearing the red and white of Japan, guard Norika Konno is looking to expand her game in her third season of U.S. college basketball with the Louisville Cardinals. “Until now, I had the pass-first mentality where I would always tr…
Tennis: Osaka to make return at Australian Open warm-up tournament
Defending Australian Open champion Naomi Osaka will make her anticipated return to the court next month at a warm-up tournament for the season-opening Grand Slam in Melbourne, organizers said Friday. The WTA lead-in event will start on Jan. 4 at Melbou…
Soccer: Former Antlers boss Oiwa to manage prospective Olympic team
Former Kashima Antlers boss Go Oiwa is set to manage the Japanese men’s team bidding for qualification for the 2024 Paris Olympics, a source with knowledge of the matter said Wednesday. A Japan Football Association technical committee has reportedly ag…
Japan vows 300 bil. yen in nutrition-related aid over next 3 years
Japan will provide more than 300 billion yen ($2.6 billion) over the next three years to help developing nations address nutrition challenges as Tokyo bolsters its commitment to reducing hunger, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said Tuesday. In his remarks…
Baseball: Takatsu wins Shoriki Award, Inaba, Ohtani get special prize
Yakult Swallows manager Shingo Takatsu won the prestigious Matsutaro Shoriki Award for the first time on Tuesday after guiding the Central League club to its first Japan Series title in 20 years. Former Japan manager Atsunori Inaba, who led Japan to th…
Soccer: Top scorer Damiao named MVP, 7 Kawasaki players in best XI
Joint top scorer Leandro Damiao was named the J-League’s player of the season on Monday after the Brazilian forward helped Kawasaki Frontale to their second straight league title with 23 goals. Damiao, who led the scoring chart alongside Celtic-linked …
Baseball: Hawks ace Senga gets big raise, keeps MLB option open
One year away from a potential move to America’s major leagues, SoftBank Hawks ace Kodai Senga on Sunday signed a five-year contract with a player opt-out next year that would allow him to pursue his dream of playing abroad. The 28-year-old Senga will …
Soccer: Ex-Japan forward Tanaka to retire at end of J2 season
Former Japan forward Tatsuya Tanaka, who helped Urawa Reds capture multiple titles in the 2000s, will retire following the end of the season with Albirex Niigata, the J-League second-division club said Saturday. Known for his speed with the ball at his…
Baseball: Ohtani’s mentor Kuriyama named Japan manager
Former Nippon Ham Fighters skipper Hideki Kuriyama was appointed the new manager of Japan’s national baseball team, Samurai Japan, NPB Enterprise Inc. announced Thursday. Kuriyama won two Pacific League pennants and a Japan Series in his 10 years with …