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July 05, 2026
 

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SAMURAI BLUE

Hajime Moriyasu, manager of the Japan national soccer team, at the Toyota Motor head office in Tokyo on March 13.
SOCCER / World cup
Mar 27, 2026
How Hajime Moriyasu has shaped Samurai Blue in his image
Moriyasu’s measured leadership has overseen a period of steady progress for Japan — and raised expectations ahead of this year’s World Cup.
Japan head coach Hajime Moriyasu talks to reporters at National Stadium in Tokyo on Nov. 17.
SOCCER
Jan 19, 2026
Japan looks poised to take the next step at the World Cup. Its manager is not so sure.
Manager Hajime Moriyasu has repeatedly said that Samurai Blue is not a real threat to win it all, but some see momentum building toward a breakthrough.
2026 is shaping up as a year of competing forces for Japan, with strong underlying momentum and reform potential outweighed by the risks from inflation, geopolitics and policy missteps if leadership does not act decisively.
COMMENTARY / Japan
Jan 8, 2026
The top 10 surprises for the Year of the Fire Horse
For 2026, the only certainty is that this year of the Fire Horse will be shaped both by existing trends that evolve and genuine surprises.
England's Harry Kane celebrates after scoring against Albania during a World Cup qualifier on Nov. 16.
SOCCER / World cup
Dec 11, 2025
England to face Uruguay and Japan ahead of 2026 World Cup
The two games will be the last time England coach Thomas Tuchel’s men play at home before they bid to end England’s 60-year wait for a major trophy.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino speaks during a ceremony to announce the official match schedule for the 2026 World Cup on Saturday in Washington.
SOCCER / World cup
Dec 7, 2025
Contenders plot path to 2026 World Cup glory as FIFA reveals tournament schedule
Japan’s first match will be against the Netherlands on June 14 in Arlington, Texas.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino during the draw for the 2026 World Cup in Washington on Friday.
SOCCER / World cup
Dec 6, 2025
2026 World Cup draw is kind to favorites as Trump takes limelight
Japan was drawn into a group that features the Netherlands, Tunisia and a yet-to-be determined European qualifier.
Head coach Hajime Moriyasu (center) and members of the Japan team at National Stadium in Tokyo on Tuesday
SOCCER
Nov 19, 2025
Comfortable win over Bolivia marks Moriyasu’s 100th game in charge
Japan has now won its last three friendly matches as part of preparations for the 2026 World Cup.
Japan's Keisuke Honda after a match against Belgium in the round of 16 at the 2018 FIFA World Cup, in Rostov-on-Don, Russia, in July 2018.
SOCCER
Nov 18, 2025
Japan has potential to win 2026 World Cup, says veteran Honda
“They have the potential (to) become at least the best four in the World Cup next year, maybe champion,” Honda said.
Japan's players celebrate their team's victory over Brazil in Chofu, Tokyo, on Oct. 14.
SOCCER
Nov 11, 2025
Japan shooting for World Cup final spot, says JFA head Miyamoto
Recording its first ever win over five-time world champion Brazil in a friendly last month has only fueled the team’s ambition further.
Parma's Zion Suzuki gestures during his club's match against AS Roma in Rome on Oct. 29.
SOCCER
Nov 10, 2025
Japan goalkeeper Zion Suzuki pulls out of friendlies due to injury
Parma said the 23-year-old picked up the injury in its 2-2 draw with AC Milan on Saturday.
Japan's Ayase Ueda (center) scores the winning goal against Brazil at Ajinomoto Stadium in Tokyo on Tuesday.
SOCCER
Oct 15, 2025
Japan’s downing of Brazil puts world on notice
The turnaround was reminiscent of wins against major soccer forces at the previous World Cup in Qatar.
Japan's national team poses for a group photo after beating Brazil at Ajinomoto Stadium in Tokyo on Tuesday.
SOCCER
Oct 14, 2025
Japan beats Brazil for first time in chaotic comeback win
In a match marked by defensive breakdowns on both sides, Samurai Blue was able to overturn a two-goal deficit and extend its home unbeaten streak to 21 games.
Japan head coach Hajime Moriyasu speaks at a news conference in Tokyo on Monday ahead of a game against Brazil the following day.
SOCCER
Oct 13, 2025
Moriyasu aiming for a result against Brazil
Japan has never beaten Brazil, but the Samurai Blue head coach says, “Our own players are now competing on the European stage, and we want to go toe-to-toe.”
Koki Ogawa scores during Samurai Blue's friendly against Paraguay at Panasonic Stadium in Suita, Osaka Prefecture, on Friday.
SOCCER
Oct 11, 2025
Samurai Blue coach hails strikers after rescuing Paraguay draw
Paraguay defended doggedly throughout and Moriyasu was happy that his center-forwards were able to find a way through.
American forward Alejandro Zendejas fights for the ball with Japanese forward Daizen Maeda during a friendly in Columbus, Ohio, on Tuesday.
SOCCER
Sep 10, 2025
Zendejas and Balogun lift U.S. over Samurai Blue in friendly
After a scoreless draw against Mexico on the weekend, Japan goalkeeper Keisuke Osako made nine saves as his team again failed to get on the scoreboard.
Mexican defender Jorge Sanchez battles for the ball with Japan's midfielder Kaoru Mitoma during a friendly in Oakland, California, on Saturday.
SOCCER
Sep 7, 2025
Japan and Mexico play to goalless draw as World Cup preparations ramp up
A lively Japanese side could not break through against a Mexico team that lost captain Edson Alvarez when he hobbled out with an injury in the first half.
Brazil's Neymar (left) in action with Japan's Yuta Nakayama during a friendly game at National Stadium in Tokyo on June 6, 2022
SOCCER
Aug 27, 2025
Brazil to face Japan and South Korea in October friendlies
The five-time world champions will face Japan in Tokyo on Oct. 14 after playing South Korea in Seoul on Oct. 10..
Kaoru Mitoma celebrates scoring Brighton's second goal against Chelsea in the fourth round of the FA Cup on Feb. 8.
SOCCER
Aug 12, 2025
Kaoru Mitoma looks to build on Premier League success with Brighton
No Japanese player will be more essential for their team’s Premier League ambitions than Kaoru Mitoma.
Kunishige Kamamoto waves after a match commemorating his retirement in Tokyo in 1984.
SOCCER
Aug 10, 2025
Japanese soccer legend Kunishige Kamamoto dies at 81
Kamamoto scored a record 75 goals for the national team and was widely considered the greatest striker in Japanese soccer history.
Japan's Daichi Kamada (right) dribbles the ball against Indonesia during the World Cup qualifying match at Panasonic Stadium Suita in Osaka Prefecture on Tuesday
SOCCER
Jun 11, 2025
Japan and South Korea celebrate World Cup qualification with big wins
Japan romped to a 6-0 thrashing of Patrick Kluivert’s Indonesia in Osaka.
‘My dream is broken’: Japan visa rules push out foreign residents
A man orders from a kebab shop in the Okubo district in Tokyo.
Japan plans to sharply raise fees for residence permits from October
Foreign tourists walk on the path leading to the Kiyomizu Temple in Kyoto in May.
Japan’s princesses face life-altering legal revisions
Princess Aiko, the daughter of Emperor Naruhito, said in a 2022 news conference upon coming of age that she hopes to “spend a long time together” with her parents.
Japanese police arrest nine over Sierra Leone-based special fraud
Japanese police have arrested nine individuals for their alleged involvement in a special fraud case using Sierra Leone as a base.
Japanese-language education is at a turning point
The country is gradually transforming Japanese-language education from a volunteer-driven system into a professional, government-supported network to better serve its growing foreign population. 
X Games returns to Chiba with new team format
Skateboarder Sora Shirai practices at Makuhari Messe in Chiba on Friday afternoon. X Games Chiba begins on Saturday.
NU Festival tests Takanawa Gateway City complex’s culture cred
Veteran improvisers Kazuo Imai and Atsuhiro Ito brought some unruly energy to NU Festival, a three-day multimedia event held at the Takanawa Gateway City complex.  
Japan’s princesses face life-altering legal revisions
Princess Aiko, the daughter of Emperor Naruhito, said in a 2022 news conference upon coming of age that she hopes to “spend a long time together” with her parents.
Six of the best: rikishi of note in each sumo division
Kazuma (right) faces off against future <i>yokozuna</i> Onosato during the All Japan Amateur Sumo Championships at the Ryogoku Kokugikan in Tokyo in December 2020.
Iran war exposed, but hasn’t changed, Japan’s reliance on imported oil
Wind turbines generate energy from strong easterly winds on the Shonai Plain in Yamagata Prefecture. Despite the oil crisis caused by conflict near the Strait of Hormuz, and concerns instability in the region could continue to impact supply and the price of imports, the administration of Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi does not seem to be drawing on the war as a pretext to hasten progress toward Japan&#039;s renewable goals.

Podcast

One of the many entrances to the Kabukicho neighborhood in Tokyo’s Shinjuku Ward.
Kabukicho: Tokyo’s ‘stadium of desire’

Longform

The Terasaka Rice Terraces are seen with Mount Buko in the background.
What Yokoze can teach Japan about rural revival
By Alex K.T. Martin

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