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June 30, 2026
 

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Jason Coskrey

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Jason Coskrey
Jason Coskrey is a sports writer for The Japan Times. His primary focus is Japanese baseball, but he has also covered soccer, American football, boxing and basketball. He previously worked for the Marietta Daily Journal in Marietta, Ga. A native of Detroit, he is a graduate of the University of Alabama-Birmingham.
Hakuoh University's Rento Saito attempts a shot during an Asian University Basketball League contest.
BASKETBALL
Jun 22, 2026
Heading into its second year, AUBL aims to get Japan more involved
While China and the Philippines are regional basketball hotbeds, Asian University Basketball League stakeholders are working to gain traction in Japan.
Tigers players Seiya Kinami (left), Shota Morishita (center) and Seishiro Sakamoto pose for a selfie with Hanshin mascot To-Lucky following a win at Koshien Stadium in Nishinomiya, Hyogo Prefecture, on May 20.
BASEBALL / Japanese Baseball
Jun 2, 2026
Rob Fitts explores the hidden figures behind Japan’s baseball culture
A new book by Rob Fitts shines a light on the overlooked people behind NPB games, showing how Japanese baseball’s atmosphere is built as much off the field as on it.
White Sox first baseman Munetaka Murakami runs to first during the third inning against the Tigers in Chicago on Friday. Murakami was injured on the play and will miss four to six weeks with a Grade 2 hamstring strain.
BASEBALL / MLB
May 31, 2026
White Sox slugger Munetaka Murakami to miss four to six weeks with hamstring strain
Murakami has hit 20 home runs in his first 57 MLB games.
Shinnosuke Abe bows during a news conference in Chiyoda Ward in Tokyo on Tuesday.
BASEBALL / Japanese Baseball
May 26, 2026
Abe exits as Giants manager after allegedly assaulting daughter
“I have caused great trouble to many baseball fans, pro baseball officials and the company through my family troubles,” Shinnosuke Abe said.
The Dodgers’ Shohei Ohtani posted a 0.60 ERA in his first five starts of the season.
BASEBALL / MLB
May 5, 2026
Shohei Ohtani named National League Pitcher of the Month
It marks the first time Ohtani has won a pitcher of the month award in MLB.
Kei Nishikori, who has won 12 titles on the ATP Tour and climbed as high as No. 4 in the world rankings, on Thursday announced his retirement.
TENNIS
May 1, 2026
Tennis trailblazer Kei Nishikori announces his retirement
The tennis star made history at the 2014 U.S. Open when he became the first Japanese man in the open era to reach a Grand Slam final.
Buffaloes starter Anderson Espinoza pitches against the Fighters at Kyocera Dome Osaka on Friday.
BASEBALL / Japanese Baseball / Sac Bunts
Apr 26, 2026
Anderson Espinoza leading early-season charge for first-place Buffaloes
Espinoza is off to a 4-0 start to the season.
Hawaii kicker Kansei Matsuzawa attempts a field goal against Colorado State in Fort Collins, Colorado, on Oct. 18, 2025.
MORE SPORTS
Apr 26, 2026
Former Hawaii kicker Kansei Matsuzawa signs with Raiders
Matsuzawa is trying to become the first Japanese player to reach the NFL.
Riku Miura (left) and Ryuichi Kihara pose with their medals after winning gold in the pair competition at the Milano Cortina Olympics on Feb. 16.
MORE SPORTS
Apr 17, 2026
Pairs figure skating Olympic gold medalists Riku Miura and Ryuichi Kihara announce retirement
Known as “RikuRyu” to their fans, the pair won gold in dramatic fashion in Italy in what can now be considered a fairy-tale ending to their careers.
Toyota's Mai Yamamoto attempts a shot while being defended by Denso's Mame Rawhave Ngom during the second quarter at Keio Arena Tokyo on Sunday.
BASKETBALL
Apr 13, 2026
Star guard Mai Yamamoto excited about opportunity to play in Project B
The Toyota Antelopes’ point guard says it ‘is genuinely exciting’ to have the opportunity to play alongside WNBA players in Project B, a global league set to debut this winter.
The Fighters' Haruki Nishikawa hits a three-run home run against the Buffaloes at Es Con Field Hokkaido in Kitahiroshima, Hokkaido, on Saturday.
BASEBALL / Japanese Baseball / Sac Bunts
Apr 6, 2026
Hard-slugging Fighters hitting homers at torrid pace to start NPB season
The Fighters have 22 home runs in nine games, while no other NPB team has reached 10 yet.
Kanoa Igarashi, seen during the 2024 Paris Games, has his sights set on a world title and Olympic gold.
MORE SPORTS
Apr 2, 2026
In pursuit of world title and Olympic gold, Kanoa Igarashi looks back with gratitude
The “little kid” might have been lost when he debuted at 17 years old, but the man he is now is more confident in what he can do on a surfboard.
Dodgers pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto throws a pitch against the Diamondbacks during the fifth inning at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on Thursday.
BASEBALL / MLB
Mar 31, 2026
The deliberate brilliance of Yoshinobu Yamamoto
Baseball analyst PitchingNinja sees Yamamoto as a master of detail, whose smooth mechanics and inventive training have helped fuel his rise in MLB.
The Fighters' Kotaro Kiyomiya hits a two-run home run against the Hawks during a game in Fukuoka on Friday.
BASEBALL / Japanese Baseball / NPB NOTEBOOK
Mar 30, 2026
NPB sees explosive start to 2026 regular season
A total of 12 home runs were hit on opening night on Friday, compared with just seven last season.
Giants manager Shinnosuke Abe poses for photos with pitcher Kazuyuki Takemura after the team's win over the Tigers at Tokyo Dome on Friday.
BASEBALL / Japanese Baseball
Mar 27, 2026
Giants rookie Kazuyuki Takemaru overcomes nerves and Tigers for opening day win
Trey Cabbage and Bobby Dalbec hit home runs for Yomiuri in the victory.
Hanshin outfielder Shota Morishita was one of the top players in the Central League last season.
BASEBALL / Japanese Baseball
Mar 26, 2026
Roaring Tigers sit above rest of Central League as new season begins
Hanshin won the 2025 CL title by 13 games.
Pitcher Kohei Arihara is back with the Fighters after spending the past three seasons with the Hawks.
BASEBALL / Japanese Baseball
Mar 25, 2026
Pacific League race shaping up as Fighters-Hawks duel
SoftBank is eyeing a third straight title with Nippon Ham close behind.
Venezuela's players celebrate after defeating the U.S. in the championship game of the World Baseball Classic on Tuesday in Miami.
BASEBALL
Mar 18, 2026
Venezuela beats U.S. to win first World Baseball Classic title
Eugenio Suarez broke a ninth-inning tie with an RBI double that sent Venezuela’s fans into hysterics even before the team held on for a 3-2 win.
Italy third baseman Andrew Fischer hits a broken-bat single in the fourth inning against Venezuela during their World Baseball Classic semifinal game at loanDepot Park in Miami on Monday.
BASEBALL
Mar 17, 2026
Italy falls short of WBC final but leaves lasting mark
The team’s espresso-fueled surge captured attention back home, with millions watching late into the night.
Venezuela pitcher Jose Butto (center) and teammates celebrate after defeating Italy in their World Baseball Classic semifinal game at loanDepot Park in Miami.
BASEBALL
Mar 17, 2026
Venezuela reaches first WBC final with comeback win over Italy
The Venezuelans, who previously eliminated Japan, will face the United States for the title on Tuesday night.
Uruguay federation reportedly cancels charter flight after World Cup exit
Uruguay's Jose Maria Gimenez reacts after the team's loss against Spain at the 2026 FIFA World Cup on Friday.
Inside Japan’s rigid adoption system, a British family finds a way
James Benstead, his wife, Jesse, and their three children. Their adopted son is in the rear stroller.
India’s gig workers pay the price for exposure to New Delhi’s hazardous air
Rohit Kushwaha waits for a customer as he delivers his last parcel of the day, in New Delhi in January. His work as a delivery driver has helped pay the family’s bills, but has had a significant impact on his health.
Chinese and Russian bombers and fighter jets stage joint patrol near Japan
A Chinese Air Force H-6 bomber is seen during a joint patrol with Russian military aircraft on Saturday.
U.S. missile moves in Japan send China clear message: A new era has arrived
Soldiers conduct the first Typhon midrange capability live-fire exercise outside of the continental United States, firing an SM-6 missile in July last year in Australia's Northern Territory during Exercise Talisman Sabre.
Inside Japan’s rigid adoption system, a British family finds a way
James Benstead, his wife, Jesse, and their three children. Their adopted son is in the rear stroller.
A French ship with close ties to Japan combines arts and sciences on the high seas
Romain Troublé, the executive director of Tara Ocean Foundation, speaks to visitors aboard the Tara during a rare port call in Tokyo in April.
LGBTQ+ families are building lives Japanese lawmakers still struggle to see
Haru Ono founded Nijiiro Kazoku in 2010 after forming a same-sex stepfamily. She said the impetus for founding the organization was that she couldn’t find much reliable information out there for families such as hers in Japan.
In Kyushu’s far south, Senti.U sparks a culinary destination
Chef Yasuhiko Uchida was born in Saga Prefecture but has made his home in Kanoya, Kagoshima Prefecture, since 2012.
‘The colors speak for themselves’: How Japan’s chroma bible went global
“A Dictionary of Color Combinations” is meant to function as a quick-reference guide for artists, designers and anyone with a passing interest in aesthetics as a quantifiable pursuit.

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