Dreaming of J. League Glory | Sports | Trends in Japan | Web Japan
The J. League, Japan's professional soccer league, will expand to 30 clubs for its 2005 season, a three-fold increase from the 10 clubs that began the inaugural 1993 season.

Queens of Golf | Sports | Trends in Japan | Web Japan
The first Women's World Cup golf tournament, an international team event, was won by the Japanese duo of Miyazato Ai, 19, and Kitada Rui, 23.

Taking Baseball to Africa | Sports | Trends in Japan | Web Japan
Several Japanese pioneers are fostering international exchange with African countries through the medium of baseball.

Playing Host Again | Sports | Trends in Japan | Web Japan
Japan is in the running to host the seventh Rugby World Cup in 2011. Having formed a bid committee in October 2004, the Japan Rugby Football Union submitted a notification of official candidacy to the International Rugby Board in January 2005.

Three Cheers for the Champions! | Sports | Trends in Japan | Web Japan
In April a Japanese cheer and dance team won the Chick-fil-A Cheer & Dance Collegiate Championship in the United States.

Big in China | Sports | Trends in Japan | Web Japan
On June 5, 2005, Japanese table tennis prodigy Fukuhara Ai, 16, made her debut in China's Super League, where the sport's elite players compete.

Germany, Here We Come! | Sports | Trends in Japan | Web Japan
Japan has become the first team in the world to qualify for the 2006 FIFA World Cup, which will be held next June and July in Germany. Many Japanese were glued to their TVs on June 8 for the decisive qualifying game, and there was widespread joy at the team's achievement.

Walking to Fitness | Sports | Trends in Japan | Web Japan
Walking is enjoying newfound popularity, particularly among people in their forties and over, as a way of staying fit or losing weight that costs nothing and is easy to do.

Pelvic Exercise | Sports | Trends in Japan | Web Japan
Exercise that focuses on the movement of the pelvis has been quietly taking hold in Japan. Correcting and relieving tension in the muscles of the pelvic area can result in enhanced posture, a more shapely figure, and improved general well-being.

Marines Claim Asian Baseball Crown | Sports | Trends in Japan | Web Japan
The Chiba Lotte Marines have won the Konami Cup Asia Series to clinch the first regional professional baseball championship in Asia.

Athens, Here We Come! | Sports | Trends in Japan | Web Japan
Trend in Japan Web Japan Sports Select Archives -- 01-03 Feature Business Science Society Sports Fashion -- 99-01 Business Science Society Sports Fashion Arts -- 97-99 Business Science Society Sport

Sumo Goes International | Sports | Trends in Japan | Web Japan
Trend in Japan Web Japan Sports Select Archives -- 01-03 Feature Business Science Society Sports Fashion -- 99-01 Business Science Society Sports Fashion Arts -- 97-99 Business Science Society Sport

Skating to Success | Sports | Trends in Japan | Web Japan
Trend in Japan Web Japan Sports Select Archives -- 01-03 Feature Business Science Society Sports Fashion -- 99-01 Business Science Society Sports Fashion Arts -- 97-99 Business Science Society Sport

Power Yoga | Sports | Trends in Japan | Web Japan
Trend in Japan Web Japan Sports Select Archives -- 01-03 Feature Business Science Society Sports Fashion -- 99-01 Business Science Society Sports Fashion Arts -- 97-99 Business Science Society Sport

The Japanese Dream | Sports | Trends in Japan | Web Japan
Trend in Japan Web Japan Sports Select Archives -- 01-03 Feature Business Science Society Sports Fashion -- 99-01 Business Science Society Sports Fashion Arts -- 97-99 Business Science Society Sport

Fast Breaking to Athens | Sports | Trends in Japan | Web Japan
Trend in Japan Web Japan Sports Select Archives -- 01-03 Feature Business Science Society Sports Fashion -- 99-01 Business Science Society Sports Fashion Arts -- 97-99 Business Science Society Sport

The Secret of Japan's Olympic Success | Sports | Trends in Japan | Web Japan
Japan won 37 medals at the Athens Olympics this summer, its highest total ever. There has been considerable discussion about just what it was that enabled Japanese athletes to achieve their record-breaking medal tally in Athens.

Hitting New Heights | Sports | Trends in Japan | Web Japan
Suzuki Ichiro, the 30-year-old right fielder for the Seattle Mariners, made history on October 1 at Safeco Field in Seattle by breaking an 84-year-old record for the most hits in a single season.

Paralympic Glory | Sports | Trends in Japan | Web Japan
The Athens Paralympics, the twelfth quadrennial competition for disabled athletes, was held September 17-28. Japanese athletes captured a whopping total of 52 medals: 17 gold, 15 silver, and 20 bronze, setting records for both total medals and gold medals.

Little Man on a Big Stage | Sports | Trends in Japan | Web Japan
Standing just 173 centimeters (5 feet, 8 inches) tall, Tabuse Yuta, 24, became the first-ever Japanese player in the National Basketball Association when he earned a spot on the Phoenix Suns' final roster of 12 players as the NBA season started.