By Ed Odeven Veteran reporter Jim Armstrong returns to the podcast to talk about sumo's Summer Basho, which gets underway on Sunday, May 14 at Tokyo's Ryogoku Kokugikan.Armstrong's chat with sports editor Ed Odeven highlights the reality that all eyes will be on lone yokozuna Terunofuji from the start of the 15-day Summer Grand Sumo Tournament. Can the seven-time Emperor's Cup winner, who has been sidelined since September 2022, return to top form after a lengthy absence? The conversation also includes discussion of the pressure relegation-threatened Takakeisho faces in trying to maintain his ozeki status, Kiribayama's first title at March's Spring Basho and Kazakh grappler Kinbozan's successful makuuchi debut in the previous tourney, among other topics.Armstrong also offers insights on former ozeki Asanoyama's return to the top division after being demoted to the third-lowest division due to breaking COVID-19 protocols in 2021. Join the conversation as SportsLook goes live with Twitter Spaces every month. The announcement will be made on our Twitter account. Feel free to share any suggestions in our comment section below. RELATED: * Kiribayama Defeats Daieisho in Playoff to Capture First Emperor's Cup * Sumo Wrestling's Solid Foundation in the UK and Europe * #19 Sports Talk ― Lord K2 Discusses His Passion for Sumo and Photography Author: Ed Odeven Follow Ed in his weekly [Japan Sports Notebook] on Sundays, [Odds and Evens] during the week, and Twitter ＠ed_odeven.

Listen in as Ed Odeven and Colin Morrison chat with JAPAN Forward's Galileo Ferrari about boxer Naoya Inoue and his one-sided destruction of British fighter Paul Butler, in their bantamweight title unification bout. The much-anticipated match took place at Tokyo's Ariake Arena on December 13. Morrison's pre-fight analysis suggested Butler would need to rely on his maturity and experience to scrape out a tough win against Inoue. As Odeven declared in his prediction, "Inoue, at age 29, is in the prime of his career." Fans were expected to be treated to another KO or a one-sided domination. And that was what happened. RELATED STORIES: * Why Naoya Inoue Will Win The Undisputed Bantamweight Title Fight* Naoya Inoue Becomes The Undisputed Bantamweight World Champion* Why Paul Butler Will Win The Undisputed Bantamweight Title Fight Join the conversation live every week. The announcements will be made on our Twitter account. Feel free to share any suggestions in our comment section below.

Listen in as Colin Morrison chats with the JAPAN Forward editorial team regarding the Japan national soccer team's achievement of winning the group stage in the FIFA World Cup. A combination of superb strategic coaching from Hajime Moriyasu and world-class execution by the Samurai Blue produced memorable come-from-behind wins against former FIFA World Cup champions Germany and Spain. The Samurai Blue trailed both games at halftime. Key substitutions and formation changes in both matches impacted the action immediately, resulting in the upset victories over the two European giants. During our conversation, Morrison expressed caution for the round of 16 match against Croatia, and forecast what became a difficult game for Japan. (The Samurai Blue lost 3-1 in the penalty shootout.) RELATED STORIES: * Japan Shocks Germany in Teams' Group E Opener at the FIFA World Cup* Japan Stuns 2010 World Cup Champion Spain To Reach Knockout Stage* Test Your Knowledge Of Japan's History At The FIFA World Cup Join the conversation live every week. The announcements will be made on our Twitter account. Feel free to share any suggestions in our comment section below.

Listen in as Colin Morrison chats with the JAPAN Forward editorial team regarding the Japan national soccer team's shocking come-from-behind-win against Germany in their FIFA World Cup opener in Qatar on November 23. Morrison attributes the win to great coaching by Hajime Moriyasu. He led Samurai Blue from a 1-0 halftime deficit into being a fiercely competitive team that would go on to win its opening match. A combination of other factors are also articulated in the recording. For example, great goalkeeping by Shuichi Gonda and outstanding touch by Takuma Asano to complete the comeback. He also talks about Germany's defensive struggles in the podcast. RELATED STORIES: * Japan Shocks Germany in Teams' Group E Opener at the FIFA World Cup* [JAPAN SPORTS NOTEBOOK] Samurai Blue Stumble in Final FIFA World Cup Tuneup* SOCCER | 10 Things to Pay Attention to During the World Cup Group Stage Join the conversation live every week. The announcements will be made on our Twitter account. Feel free to share any suggestions in our comment section below.

Listen in as sports editor Ed Odeven and reporter Jim Armstrong review the top highlights ー and lowlights ー of this year's Autumn Grand Sumo Tournament at Ryogoku Kokugikan in Tokyo. For starters, Tamawashi claimed the Emperor's Cup at age 37 years, 10 months on Sunday, September 25, becoming the oldest man to win a title in the modern era.  The podcast features a brief analysis of the significance of the Mongolian's second title at this stage of his career. Insights are also shared on the disappointing performances of two ozeki, Mitakeumi and Shodai, both of whom went 4-11 in the tournament. Armstrong shares his thoughts on Sumo's Flying Monkey Tobizaru's impressive 10-5 tournament record, which included big wins over lone yokozuna Terunofuji, who later pulled out of the tourney with a knee injury, and Kiribayama. RELATED: * Veteran Tamawashi Captures Second Emperor’s Cup And Etches His Name In The History Books* Ageless Veteran Tamawashi Moves A Step Closer To Title At Autumn Basho * Flying Monkey Tobizaru Records Another Big Upset At Autumn Basho Join the conversation as SportsLook goes live with Twitter Spaces every month. The announcement will be made on our Twitter account. Feel free to share any suggestions in our comment section below. Author: Ed Odeven Follow Ed on JAPAN Forward's [Japan Sports Notebook] here on Sundays, in [Odds and Evens] here during the week, and Twitter ＠ed_odeven

Listen in as Daniel Robson and Arielle Busetto chat with the JAPAN Forward editorial team from the Tokyo Game Show exhibition venue at Makuhari Messe in Chiba. After being forced by COVID-19 to close its doors to the public and instead offer a virtual online event for two years, the Tokyo Game Show once again welcomed the world to come in and play. In 2019, there were 655 exhibitors from 40 countries. This year, there were 605 registered exhibitors representing 37 countries. The numbers reflected the game show’s return to near normalcy in 2022.  PC and Nintendo Switch titles led the way with the most offerings at the show. However, virtual reality (VR) gaming has seen a huge increase since 2019, and PlayStation VR2 made its presence known at the show, alongside Meta Quest 2. RELATED STORIES * 8 Things to Look Out For at Tokyo Game Show 2022* [Gamer’s World] Making the Most of the Calm Before June* INTERVIEW | TGS 2022: ‘Sonic Frontiers’ to Enter New ‘Open Zone,’ Says Game Director* ‘So Excited To Be Back’: Celebrating at the Tokyo Game Show Join the conversation live every week. The announcements will be made on our Twitter account. Feel free to share any suggestions in our comment section below.

Listen in as Grant Newsham chats with the JAPAN Forward editorial team on Japan’s security budget increase and strategic proposals for the near future that would make it more effective. Newsham is a retired United States Marine Officer and a former US diplomat with many years of experience in Japan. He is a Senior Fellow with both the Center for Security Policy and the Yorktown Institute in the United States, and a Senior Fellow at the Japan Forum for Strategic Studies in Japan.  Newsham was the first US Marine liaison officer to the Japan Ground Self Defense force and was instrumental in promoting the JSDF’s initial moves towards an amphibious capability. RELATED STORIES * Serious About the Defense of Japan: More Details, Please* ‘Heightening Tensions’ in the Taiwan Strait: China Can’t Get Japan Out of Its Mind* Kishida’s Shangri-La Speech: What He Means, Why It Matters* New Report Helps Answer Key Questions About the Defense of Japan Join the conversation live every week. The announcements will be made on our Twitter account. Feel free to share any suggestions in our comment section below.

Listen in as Susan Yoshimura chats with the JAPAN Forward editorial team about the launch of Japan 2 Earth, a new website which is setting out to spark progress in the transition toward achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).  Bringing information from Japan to the world in English (and Japanese), the website will foster the conversation on SDGs, including a focus on innovations and initiatives by companies and communities in Japan and the region.  Managing Editor of the new website, Yoshimura, who lives in Japan and has been based in Asia for over 20 years, is an American with a postgraduate degree in Environmental Education. Passionate about the environment, her background includes research program assistant at the United Nations University and more than 15 years of experience in Japanese-to-English translation in the environmental management field.  RELATED STORIES * ‘Japan 2 Earth’: New Website Launches to Help Communities Achieve Development Goals* Our Logo: A Play-on-Words with a Deeper Meaning* Japan 2 Earth Launch Makes Top News in the The Sankei Shimbun Join the conversation live every week. The announcements will be made on our Twitter account. Feel free to share any suggestions in our comment section below.

Listen in as Arielle Busetto, and Daniel Robson, wrap up the 2022 Fuji Rock Festival, in Naeba, Niigata, sharing their highlights of Day 3 and the overall event. COVID-19 has made it challenging for promoters to host large scale events involving the participation of international artists and meeting the demand of consumers, but Fuji Rock managed both for the 2022 festival. Arielle and Daniel both commented on how positive the Fuji Rock Festival experience was. But on the other hand, ‘Fuji-rockers’ they spoke to expressed their concerns about COVID-19 as the latest wave continues to record big numbers in Tokyo and nationwide. Despite COVID’s attempt to take center stage in the consciousness of festival goers, it was the power of music that brought everyone together for this special three day outdoor occasion. Arielle and Daniel recalled their interviews with Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra and other bands they met on the last day. And they detailed some of the touching moments as they absorbed the live music surrounded by the beauty of nature at the Naeba ski resort.  Look for our live coverage on Twitter, and our most recent Fuji Rock articles. First, though, check out these articles on the festival: * HIGHLIGHTS: Fuji Rock 2022, Day 1* VIDEO: Fuji Rock 2022 and COVID-19, Man on the Street Interviews* HIGHLIGHTS: Fuji Rock 2022, Day 1* VIDEO: Fuji Rock 2022 and COVID-19, Man on the Street Interviews* INTERVIEW | The Hu Bring Metal Laced with Mongolian Folk to Fuji Rock 2022* Fuji Rock 2022: One of Japan’s Biggest Music Festivals Offers More Than Just Bands* FUJI ROCK FESTIVAL 2022: Eight Artists to Look Out For Join the conversation live every week. The announcements will be made on our Twitter account. Feel free to share any suggestions in our comment section below.

Listen in as Arielle Busetto, Daniel Robson, and Micah Go, wrap up the second day of the 2022 Fuji Rock Festival, in Naeba, Niigata, sharing their highlights and giving a preview of Day 3. The Green Stage produced a lot of memorable performances for the day. The team were impressed with Jack White, Bloodywood, and Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra’s sets - with the latter two bands mentioned in the Day 1 wrap-up. As Day 2 melts into the early hours of the final day of Fuji Rock, ZOMBIE-CHANG’s performance is one of the last performances on Saturday’s (early Sunday morning) schedule. For Day 3, The team expressed their interest in covering JAPANESE BREAKFAST, ZUTOMAYO (ずっと真夜中でいいのに。), and veteran Fuji Rock artist, Takkyu Ishino. Ishino is known for being one of the members of the techno-pop group, Denki Groove, and will close out the Fuji Rock Festival this year. Look for our live coverage on Twitter, and our most recent Fuji Rock articles. First, though, check out these articles on the festival: * HIGHLIGHTS: Fuji Rock 2022, Day 1* VIDEO: Fuji Rock 2022 and COVID-19, Man on the Street Interviews* INTERVIEW | The Hu Bring Metal Laced with Mongolian Folk to Fuji Rock 2022* Fuji Rock 2022: One of Japan’s Biggest Music Festivals Offers More Than Just Bands* FUJI ROCK FESTIVAL 2022: Eight Artists to Look Out For Join the conversation live every week. The announcements will be made on our Twitter account. Feel free to share any suggestions in our comment section below.

Listen in as Arielle Busetto, Daniel Robson, and Micah Go, wrap up the first day of the 2022 Fuji Rock Festival, in Naeba, Niigata, sharing their highlights and giving a preview of Day 2. In terms of the Day 1 highlights, the team shared their thoughts on Bonobo, and Awich. Bonobo is a British musician, producer, and DJ, and his music is a combination of genres with influences from jazz and world music. Awich is a female Japanese rap artist who grew up in Okinawa, and spent her adolescence in Atlanta, Georgia, in the United States. After many trials and tribulations, Awich returned to Japan to restart her career and life. She brings a new perspective of hip hop culture to the Japanese music industry. The second day of the Fuji Rock Festival is the first day of the weekend. With the increase in audience size, the atmosphere and overall energy in the festival notches up a gear.  The group’s focus is on Bloodywood, an Indian metal band from New Delhi, on the Green Stage for day 2. Veteran Fuji Rock and Japanese bands such as Glim Spanky, and Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra are also on the menu. Look for our live coverage on Twitter, and our most recent Fuji Rock articles. First, though, check out our preview articles for the festival: * INTERVIEW | ZOMBIE-CHANG on Centerstage at Fuji Rock 2022: Be Yourself* INTERVIEW | The Hu Bring Metal Laced with Mongolian Folk to Fuji Rock 2022* Fuji Rock 2022: One of Japan’s Biggest Music Festivals Offers More Than Just Bands* FUJI ROCK FESTIVAL 2022: Eight Artists to Look Out For Join the conversation live every week. The announcements will be made on our Twitter account. Feel free to share any suggestions in our comment section below.

Listen in as Arielle Busetto, Daniel Robson, and Micah Go, share their plans for the 2022 Fuji Rock Festival. The 3.5-day-long event started on July 28, Thursday afternoon, with a pre-party to set the tone for the weekend of live music and entertainment. Fuji Rock, the largest outdoor music festival in Japan, is held over three days in July at the Naeba Ski Resort in Yuzawa, at the southern end of Niigata Prefecture. It returns to the entertainment scene in 2022 by once again ー for the first time since 2019 ー hosting international artists who were missed dearly due to COVID-19 protocols. This year has also lost some key artists due to COVID-19, such as YOASOBI, when vocalist Lilas Ikuta tested positive after her PCR test. Arielle, Daniel, and Micah, have a busy schedule ahead of them, interviewing artists like Elephant Gym and Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra, as well as Vampire Weekend, Jack White, AWICH, and many others. Look for our live coverage on Twitter, and our most recent Fuji Rock articles. First, though, check out our preview articles for the festival:  * INTERVIEW | The Hu Bring Metal Laced with Mongolian Folk to Fuji Rock 2022* Fuji Rock 2022: One of Japan’s Biggest Music Festivals Offers More Than Just Bands* FUJI ROCK FESTIVAL 2022: Eight Artists to Look Out For Join the conversation live every week. The announcements will be made on our Twitter account. Feel free to share any suggestions in our comment section below.

Listen in as Kei Hirata chats with the JAPAN Forward editorial team in a discussion on what it’s like to be a professional cheerleader, closing a chapter as an NBA dancer with the Oklahoma City Thunder, and pursuing new opportunities with the Washington Wizards. Hirata is a long-time cheerleader who worked for the NBA’s Oklahoma City Thunder for six years on the team’s dance squad. She first joined the team in 2011, and has just completed her second stint. Originally from Chiba, Kei was also a cheerleader for Nippon Professional Baseball’s Chiba Lotte Marines and the X League American football team IBM Big Blue before pursuing her dream of being a cheerleader in the United States.  In addition to her cheerleading duties in the United States, she has served concurrently as a dance team director for the Albirex cheerleading squad, remaining a visible presence with the organization’s B.League and J.League dancers throughout the COVID-19 pandemic via online communication and instruction.Participating in clinics at schools and instructional camps while back in Japan before her second stint with the Thunder Girls, as well as on visits to Japan, Hirata has mentored young cheerleaders, offering encouragement and inspiration. Related Articles  * Rui Machida Makes Winning Debut in WNBA* Rui Hachimura Makes Season Debut In Wizards’ 40th Game* [ODDS and EVENS] Wizards’ Rui Hachimura Fired Up About NBA Relaunch Join the conversation live every week. The announcement will be made on our Twitter account. Feel free to share any suggestions in our comment section below.

Listen in as William Lee chats with the JAPAN Forward editorial team in a discussion on the ongoing political unrest with China and Hong Kong, and details some of the impacts of the new National Security Law that took effect at the end of June 2020. William Lee organizes rallies and demonstrations in Japan with the non-profit organization, Stand With Hong Kong - an independent, grassroots, crowdfunded advocacy group consisting of individuals who have come together to fight for freedom and democracy for Hong Kong. Their most recent rally was held in Shibuya, on July 2, the day after the 25th anniversary of the handover of Hong Kong to China from the United Kingdom. Related Articles * When Free Speech Gets You Arrested: Hong Kong Protestors Gather in Shibuya* EDITORIAL | Xi Jinping Kills Freedom in Hong Kong and Calls It a ‘Success’* ‘The Week’ Podcast #13: Death of Hong Kong, Japan’s Energy Crunch, and Fuji Rock is Back* Hong Kong Activists Express Disgust at Xi’s Visit to the City* July 1, 2020 Marks the Death of Hong Kong Join the conversation live every week. The announcement will be made on our Twitter account. Feel free to share any suggestions in our comment section below.

Listen in as Dr Jagannath Panda chats with the JAPAN Forward editorial team in a discussion on Japan and Korea’s relationship, and as he outlines how proactive diplomatic discourse between both nations can repair and rebuild a better future. Dr Jagannath Panda is currently the head of Stockholm Centre for South Asian and Indo-Pacific Affairs at the Institute for Security & Development Policy in Sweden. He is deeply focused on Indo-Pacific affairs and relations of the region with Europe, and is the author of the “Asia’s Next Page” column on JAPAN Forward. Related Articles * [Asia’s Next Page] Japan’s Stance on a United Korea: Ambivalence or Realpolitik?* President Biden Brokers Historic Meeting Between the Leaders of South Korea and Japan* Bad Faith? Under New President, South Korea Sends Vessel to Japan’s Takeshima* South Korean Group Tackles the Antagonism and Hatred Spread By Comfort Women Statues* EDITORIAL | President Yoon Show You Really Want Improved Ties With Japan Join the conversation live every week. The announcement will be made on our Twitter account and we’re typically hosting the event at 2:00 PM JST either on Thursdays or Fridays. Feel free to share any suggestions in our comment section below.

Listen in as Jennifer Zeng chats with the JAPAN Forward editorial team in a discussion on the CCP’s aggressive actions in attempting to ‘unify’ with Taiwan using the Senkaku Islands territorial issue, among others. Jennifer Zeng was a researcher at the Development Research Center of the State Council of the People's Republic of China, the highest level governmental policy research and consultant body. Jennifer operates a YouTube channel called "Inconvenient Truths" which aims to offer the fastest, authentic, uncensored first-hand information from inside China, as well as unique in-depth analysis and insights about China's current affairs and politics. Related Articles * [Bookmark] Unifying Taiwan Begins with the Senkakus* [Bookmark] Leaked Recording Hints at China’s Army Planning a ‘Final Battle’ over Taiwan* Leaderless, Cut Off, and Alone: The Risks to Taiwan in the Wake of Ukraine* INTERVIEW | US 7th Fleet Commander Karl O. Thomas: On Alert in the Indo-Pacific* Deterring China: The Vanishing Kissinger Magic Join the conversation live every week. The announcement will be made on our Twitter account and we’re typically hosting the event at 2:00 PM JST either on Thursdays or Fridays. Feel free to share any suggestions in our comment section below.

Listen in as the JAPAN Forward editorial team chats with Dr. Lew Seok Choon and Dr. Lee Woo Youn, South Korean scholars and co-chairs and co-founders of the non-profit organization, End Comfort Women Fraud. Members of the organization will be traveling to Berlin, Germany, at the end of June to discuss important matters related to the comfort women statue in the city. As its name suggests, this group seeks to end the 30 years of falsehood and deception surrounding the comfort women issue, which they see as propagated mainly by special interests organized to prevent a resolution. The erroneous historical narrative promoted by groups like the Korea Council and Korean textbooks impairs bilateral ties vis-a-vis Japan, creating a schism that impedes peace and prosperity in East Asia.  The group End Comfort Women Fraud is also urging the South Korean government to investigate the comfort women issue more thoroughly, and verify the veracity of testimonial evidence by former comfort women. To achieve their goals, End Comfort Women Fraud holds academic seminars, workshops, and assemblies in various locations, including a public demonstration every Wednesday in front of the Japanese Embassy in Seoul, South-Korea. Related Stories: * South Korean Group Tackles the Antagonism and Hatred Spread By Comfort Women Statues* South Korean Civic Group to Berlin: Remove the Comfort Women Statue

Listen in as the JAPAN Forward editorial team chats with boxing writer Colin Morrison regarding the much-anticipated Naoya Inoue versus Nonito Donaire rematch that took place at Saitama Super Arena on June 7. Colin Morrison, who resides in Scotland, is a regular contributor at nyfights.com and spitballingpod.com, covering boxing and soccer, including major events in both sports. He breaks down key details from the Inoue-Donaire 2 fight, offers predictions for Inoue’s path forward in becoming the undisputed bantamweight champion, and potentially moving up a weight class. Related Stories: * ‘Monster’ Inoue Lives Up to Expectations, Overpowers Nonito Donaire in Rematch* ‘Monster’ Inoue is Gunning for Japan’s First Boxing ‘Triple Crown’* Inoue vs. Donaire play-by-play and live results* Inoue-Donaire World Boxing Super Series Match: A Battle of Generational Legends Join the conversation live every week. The announcement will be made on our Twitter account and we’re typically hosting the event at 2:00 PM JST either on Thursdays or Fridays. Feel free to share any suggestions in our comment section below.

Listen in as the JAPAN Forward editorial team catches up with Arielle Busetto, journalist and podcast host, who updates us on what’s in store for teamLab’s Borderless exhibition. Arielle shares her experience of being immersed in the art, and details some comments from teamLab spokesperson, Yoko Kuwabara. While the exhibition is set to close, Arielle explains why that’s just the beginning of the next step for teamLab’s digital art. Related Stories: * Changes Coming as teamLab Borderless Digital Art Museum Reimagines Its Future* Inside the teamLab Sauna: Sweat, Steam, and Floating Artworks* Odaiba’s teamLab Borderless Named as a Guinness World Record Holder* ‘Borderless’: Sensory Overload at teamLab’s New Exhibition* Permanent Art Space in Tokyo Odaiba: ‘Borderless’ Exhibit by teamLab Join the conversation live every week. The announcement will be made on our Twitter account and we’re typically hosting the event at 2:00 PM JST either on Thursdays or Fridays. Feel free to share any suggestions in our comment section below.

Listen in as the JAPAN Forward editorial team chats with Daniel Moore regarding sansai foraging (loosely translated as: 'mountain vegetables'), and his background with inbound travel in Japan. After spending the first 16 years of his life in Japan and then briefly moving away, Daniel is now based in Nagano. He is an entrepreneur, author, and founder of Active Travel Japan. Among the many enterprises he is involved in, Daniel is particularly well known for working with local businesses and travel agencies to create unique tours and adventures for visitors. Find Daniel Moore's articles on JAPAN Forward: * Back to My Roots: Foraging Wild Foods in Japan’s Mountains* Flower Blossom Hunting: A New Way to Enjoy Spring in Japan Join the conversation live every week. The announcement will be made on our Twitter account and we’re typically hosting the event at 2:00 PM JST either on Thursdays or Fridays. Feel free to share any suggestions in our comment section below.