# Japan

All time

# brave blossoms

Japan name one debutant among team of World Cup stars to face the Lions

Jamie Joseph’s men haven’t played a Test since 2019.

2.7k

Jun 24th 2021, 2:08 PM

# Tighthead

Tadhg Furlong promoted to Lions starting XV after injury to Fagerson

The Scotland prop has been ruled out of Saturday’s game due to a back spasm.

14.9k

Jun 24th 2021, 1:00 PM

# Highlander

'I was more nervous about the haka than the game... It was a huge honour'

Japan star Kazuki Himeno is back on international duty after a season in New Zealand.

7.8k

Jun 24th 2021, 6:00 AM

# brave blossoms

World Cup star Matsushima set for 'once-in-a-lifetime experience' against Lions

The Clermont flyer is hoping Japan can pick up where they left off in 2019.

5.2k

Jun 23rd 2021, 7:00 AM

# First Step

Irish influence will be strong as Lions get their 2021 campaign underway

Warren Gatland insists he has no preconceived ideas about his Test team.

5.5k

Jun 23rd 2021, 6:00 AM

# Key Man

'Robbie has developed into an absolute world-class midfielder' - Gatland

The Lions boss also said he views Tadhg Beirne as a back row for the tour of South Africa.

8.6k

Jun 22nd 2021, 2:17 PM

# Team news

Gatland includes six Irish players in Lions' starting XV against Japan

Henshaw, Aki, Murray, Beirne, Henderson, and Conan all get a start.

36.4k

Jun 22nd 2021, 11:14 AM

# Motivation

'I do everything I can to provide for my family and put them first' - Aki

The Connacht and Ireland centre is hoping to make an impression this Saturday against Japan.

10.6k

Jun 21st 2021, 10:00 PM

# Pilot Events

Fans to make long-awaited Aviva Stadium return for Ireland's summer Tests

A combined total of 9,000 spectators will attend next month’s games against Japan and USA.

17.1k

Jun 21st 2021, 5:07 PM

# fresh faces

Saracens players and Russell land as Kelleher continues to impress the Lions

The 23-year-old Ireland hooker will remain with the Lions in Jersey this week.

12.5k

Jun 21st 2021, 1:59 PM

# sapporo

Four hurt and flights disrupted as bear goes on the rampage in Japanese city

The bear broke into an army base and an airport before being shot by hunters.

19.1k

Jun 18th 2021, 3:51 PM

# 2021 Games

Japan extends state of emergency until 20 June - just one month before Olympics start date

‘The situation continues to be uncertain,’ says Japan’s Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga.

1.3k

May 28th 2021, 11:37 AM

# Scouting

Farrell watching closely as Irish provinces head into final weeks of season

Ireland will take on Japan and the US in Dublin in July.

9.1k

May 24th 2021, 5:49 PM

# Wave Goodbye

All Blacks star Beauden Barrett ends Japan stint empty-handed

The 29-year-old will now join Super Rugby’s Blues on a two-year contract.

8.7k

May 23rd 2021, 2:12 PM

# On the box

Lions' meeting with Japan to be shown live on free-to-air television

Channel 4 are showing the game from Murrayfield, and will have highlights from the rest of the tour.

8.2k

May 12th 2021, 2:37 PM

# Change of Plans

Ireland set for July internationals with Japan and USA

A planned tour of Fiji was cancelled owing to a pandemic lockdown on the Pacific Island.

7.6k

May 10th 2021, 10:24 AM

# Radioactive

Japan to release treated radioactive water from Fukushima plant into ocean

The move is fiercely opposed by local fishermen and residents.

26.8k

Apr 13th 2021, 7:59 AM

# Coronavirus

Covid-19 patient in Japan receives world’s first lung transplant from living donors

The recipient is recovering after the nearly 11-hour operation.

16.1k

Apr 9th 2021, 6:55 AM

# Tokyo

Olympic torch relay banned from public roads across Japan's Osaka region

Olympic officials are battling the logical issues tied to a new surge in cases.

9.6k

Apr 7th 2021, 10:00 PM

# Goal Crazy

7 goals for Netherlands, 8 for Belgium and 14 for Japan in big World Cup qualifier wins

There was some one-sided victories in tonight’s qualifiers.

9.6k

Mar 30th 2021, 10:16 PM

# Tokyo

Magnitude 7.2 earthquake felt in Japanese capital

A tsunami advisory has been issued for Japan’s north-east coast.

23.3k

Mar 20th 2021, 10:14 AM

# new precedent

Japan’s ban on same-sex marriage ruled unconstitutional by court

The country’s refusal to issue spouse visas to partners of same-sex couples legally married overseas has been a growing problem.

13.4k

Mar 17th 2021, 7:46 AM

# Fukushima

Japan marks 10th anniversary of quake, tsunami and nuclear disaster at Fukushima

More than 18,000 people died and nearly half a million were displaced.

7.6k

Mar 11th 2021, 10:11 PM

# Memorial

Japan falls silent to mark decade since tsunami disaster

A minute’s silence was observed across the country at 2.46 pm local time, the precise moment a 9.0 magnitude quake hit.

8.7k

Mar 11th 2021, 7:07 AM

# Tokyo Olympics

Japan to end state of emergency over Covid-19 in some regions as rate of infection slows

Tokyo’s response to the virus is being closely watched around the world as doubts swirl over the postponed Tokyo Olympics

7.3k

Feb 26th 2021, 9:14 AM

# 7.3 magnitude

Dozens injured after strong earthquake off Japan's Fukushima

The latest quake came nearly 10 years after the deadly earthquake that sparked a tsunami and nuclear meltdown.

17.7k

Feb 14th 2021, 8:09 AM

# Shaken

7.3 magnitude earthquake hits north-eastern coast of Japan

Tokyo Electric Power said that 860,000 homes were without power as a result of the quake.

21.8k

Updated

Feb 13th 2021, 6:01 PM

# PlayBook

No singing or chanting as Olympic Covid-19 measures outlined

All visitors to Tokyo will be required to present proof of a recent negative test upon arrival, but vaccination will not be a condition of entry.

3.0k

Feb 3rd 2021, 10:50 AM

# Optimistic

Athletes told they will receive Covid-19 vaccination before Olympics - Mo Farah

Meanwhile, Florida has offered to host the Games later this year amid speculation that Japan may back out.

3.4k

Jan 26th 2021, 3:04 PM

# tokyo 2020

Japan says there is 'no truth' in report that Tokyo Olympics will be cancelled

Organisers have said they are “fully focused on hosting the Games this summer”.

9.2k

Jan 22nd 2021, 7:41 AM

# tokyo 2020

Support for holding Olympics hits new low in Japan

Tokyo 2020 organisers are insisting the Games will go ahead this year.

25.0k

Jan 10th 2021, 1:20 PM

# Not happy

England players could miss out on Lions selection if not released for Japan warm-up Test - Gatland

The Lions head coach has urged Premiership Rugby to remove its block on players.

7.0k

Oct 28th 2020, 2:10 PM

# brave blossoms

Gatland's Lions to face Japan before departing on South Africa tour

The game is set to be played at Murrayfield in Edinburgh in June 2021.

6.0k

Oct 21st 2020, 8:00 AM

# At The Helm

Japan appoints new prime minister to replace the long-serving Shinzo Abe

Yoshihide Suga said he is a reformer who will help revive Japan’s Covid-ravaged economy.

14.9k

Sep 16th 2020, 8:00 AM

# Timing

The UK has announced it has agreed a 'historic' trade deal... with Japan

The news comes as the EU is threatening legal action over the UK reneging on its commitments made in the Brexit withdrawal agreement.

35.2k

Sep 11th 2020, 11:18 AM

# typhoon haishen

Typhoon lashes South Korea after battering southern Japan

Typhoon Haishen hit the southeastern coast of South Korea with sustained winds of up to 78 mph.

12.1k

Sep 7th 2020, 7:48 AM

# typhoon maysak

Ship with 42 crew and carrying nearly 6,000 cattle sank off Japan, survivor says

A survivor from the ship told the Japanese coastguard the Gulf Livestock 1 fell victim to rough weather during Typhoon Maysak.

34.8k

Sep 3rd 2020, 8:40 AM

# skydrive

More a motorcycle with propellers, Japanese company unveils its 'flying car'

The machine so far can fly for just five to 10 minutes.

40.9k

Aug 28th 2020, 2:59 PM

# Health issues

Japan Prime Minister Shinzo Abe announces he will resign over health problems

It had been heavily speculated Abe would step down after recent unannounced hospital visits.

28.3k

Updated

Aug 28th 2020, 9:27 AM

# join the club

Wallabies captain Hooper to move to Japanese Top League next year

The 28-year-old should still be available to feature for the national team in 2021.

6.1k

Aug 26th 2020, 11:30 AM