Latest from Japan Forward
Japan Forward
5 hours ago
- Sport
- Japan Forward
SoftBank Hawks Win the Interleague Title as PL Teams Dominate Their CL Rivals
Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks players congratulate one another after their 3-1 win over the Hanshin Tigers on June 22, 2025, at Koshien Stadium. (©KYODO) Interleague play wrapped up on Tuesday, June 24 when the Chiba Lotte Marines beat the Yomiuri Giants 6-4, a fitting end that reflected the dominance of the Pacific League. It was the 63rd win for Pacific League teams, who wrapped up a winning record for the third straight season against their Central League rivals. CL teams won 43 games in the 2025 interleague schedule. The Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks won the interleague title with a record of 12 wins, five losses and one tie. In addition, the Pacific League teams held down the top six spots in the interleague standings while the Central League teams, led by the Hiroshima Carp at 9-9, were at positions seven through 12. The Carp were the only CL team that managed a .500 record in interleague. And the Tokyo Yakult Swallows had the worst record at 5-12-1. The good news for the Hanshin Tigers is because every team in the CL played poorly during the interleague games, they remained atop the Central League standings. Livan Moinelo (KYODO) One of the standouts for the Hawks during interleague and all season has been Cuban lefty Livan Moinelo. On Friday, June 13, Moinelo struck out 13 batters and allowed just one run over the distance as the Hawks beat the defending Japan Series champion Yokohama DeNA BayStars 4-1. The 29-year-old Moinelo scattered three hits and did not issue a walk at Mizuho PayPay Dome as he pitched his first complete game of the season to improve to 6-0. On June 6, Moinelo struck out 18 batters over eight innings before being taken out with a 2-0 lead only to see two SoftBank relievers give up three runs in the final two innings for the 3-2 10-inning loss to the Swallows. The Hawks' Tatsuru Yanagimachi (KYODO) Meanwhile, SoftBank outfielder Tatsuru Yanagimachi was named MVP of the interleague competition after he compiled a stellar .397 batting average and a .474 on-base percentage in the 18 games. "It's my first title in my career so I'm very honored," Yanagimachi said. "The team really came together during these games. I was just one piece of the puzzle but was happy to contribute." The 11-time Japan Series champion Hawks have moved up to third place in the PL standings with a 36-29-3 record (heading into the weekend of June 27-29), just three games behind the front-running Hokkaido Nipponham Fighters. Tokyo Yakult Swallows slugger Munetaka Murakami in a September 2024 file photo. (©SANKEI) It's been a tough season so far for the last-place Swallows (19-43-3) and slugger Munetaka Murakami. The 2022 Triple Crown winner has played in only one game this season due to an upper body injury. The 25-year-old Murakami, who is in the final year of a three-year-contract, has stated he wants to go to the major leagues next season but his injury could complicate things. Still, the Swallows reiterated on Wednesday, June 25 that they remain supportive of such a move. "We will apply [for the move via the posting system] if he says he wants to go," club president Tetsuya Hayashida said, according to Kyodo News. Yokohama DeNA BayStars right-hander Trevor Bauer pitches against the Chiba Lotte Marines on June 22 at Yokohama Stadium. (©SANKEI) Former NL Cy Young Award winner Trevor Bauer continues to have an up-and-down season for the BayStars. At times, Bauer has looked brilliant, mowing down batters with relative ease. But that wasn't the case on Sunday, June 22 when Bauer (4-6) lasted only one-plus inning while giving up seven runs on eight hits to take the loss in a 10-9 defeat at the hands of the Marines. It was 7-3 when Bauer left for an early shower at Yokohama Stadium. The BayStars managed to score nine runs through the first five innings but could not close the gap in the wild interleague game. Saitama Seibu Lions infielder Tyler Nevin delivers an RBI single in the first inning against the Hanshin Tigers on June 12 at Belluna Dome. (©SANKEI) The Seibu Lions and first baseman/outfielder Tyler Nevin have agreed to a two-year contract extension that will run through the 2027 season, the club announced on Monday, June 23. A 28-year-old former major leaguer, Nevin has performed well in his first season in Japan, driving in 32 runs while batting .269 with five homers in 68 games. He was the PL Player of the Month for May. Nevin, the son of former Los Angeles Angels manager Phil Nevin, played for the Baltimore Orioles, Detroit Tigers and Oakland Athletics between 2021 and 2024. "We want him to play a central role for the Lions for a long time," senior Lions official Koji Hiroike said in a statement. Author: Jim Armstrong The author is a longtime journalist who has covered sports in Japan for over 25 years. You can find his articles on SportsLook .
Japan Forward
10 hours ago
- Politics
- Japan Forward
Immigration in Japan: Rethinking Refugee Protection in a Changing World
このページを 日本語 で読む The Refugee Convention, specifically the 1951 Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees and its 1967 Protocol, was established in the aftermath of World War II. Its primary aim was to protect civilians fleeing from the Eastern Bloc to the West. Born out of the Cold War, the convention's origins continue to shape how "refugee" is defined today. At the time, the focus was clear. In communist states, individuals were often persecuted for their political or religious beliefs. To counter that behavior, the convention aimed to provide legal protection for those targeted by authoritarian regimes. Last in the series. Read the series: Immigration in Japa n Since then, however, the nature of global displacement has dramatically evolved. Today's international community faces crises not only along ideological lines but across divides between the Global North and South, and even within the Global South itself. Conflicts driven by ethnic tension, poverty, and inequality have triggered civil wars, lawlessness, and mass atrocities. Many have fled in search of safety. Others have left not because their lives were immediately endangered, but to escape poverty, disaster, or systemic discrimination in hopes of building a better future. As global challenges have shifted from Cold War-era ideological divides to the complex realities of North-South and South-South tensions, the original framework of the Refugee Convention has become increasingly difficult to apply. It was designed to protect those fleeing political persecution under authoritarian regimes. For the most part, that did not include those escaping fragile governance, chronic instability, or daily insecurity. At the same time, it's overly simplistic and unjust to dismiss everyone in these circumstances as mere economic migrants and deny them protection outright. In response, new systems have begun to emerge under terms like "complementary protection." These frameworks are meant to assist individuals fleeing indiscriminate violence, conflict, or systemic collapse — even if they don't strictly qualify as refugees under the original convention. Japan is among the countries starting to adopt such measures. Looking ahead, political repression, armed conflict, economic collapse, and natural disasters will continue to force people from their homelands. Across borders, there remains a shared moral instinct, a sense that we should help those in need. But when it comes to the concrete questions of how to help and through what systems, the world is still feeling its way forward. On March 28, 2025, central Myanmar was struck by a powerful magnitude 7.7 earthquake. Around the same time, a high-rise building under construction collapsed in Bangkok — a tragedy still fresh in public memory. I extend my sincere condolences to all those affected and pray for their swift recovery. What stood out to me in the aftermath was a striking detail: many of the workers at the collapse site were from Myanmar. A behavioral study by the Media Intelligence Group (MI Group) estimates that there are currently 6.8 million Myanmar nationals working in Thailand. Of these, only about 1.85 million have valid work permits. In other words, over 67% of Thailand's roughly 2.7 million foreign workers are from Myanmar. And the vast majority of them are undocumented. Rohingya refugees from Myanmar cross a bamboo-made bridge during an ongoing heatwave in Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh, May 2, 2024. (@Reuters) Roughly five million Myanmar nationals are working in Thailand without legal status. If one of them is killed or injured in a workplace accident, like in the recent building collapse, there's often no registration, no records, and no protections. They vanish without a trace, unrecognized by any official system. In the case of Myanmar-Thailand migration, this undocumented status often results from informal land crossings. Japan, by contrast, requires all entrants to pass through official ports or airports, making irregular entry less common. Still, once someone overstays their visa or fails to obtain proper residency, they too become undocumented. I believe Japan should not accept foreign workers under such conditions. Anyone living here should hold a valid residence status — not only to ensure access to emergency support and legal protections, but also to earn the trust of both Japanese society and fellow foreigners. Japan's system should help those in need obtain and maintain legal status, not fall through the cracks. At the same time, Japan must take a hard look at the immigration and refugee policy failures seen in many Western countries. There are people who don't qualify as refugees under the convention but are fleeing instability, poor governance, or systemic failure. We should recognize their hardship and create mechanisms that offer fair access to information, assistance, and opportunities. However, reliance solely on international organizations like UNHCR or the International Organization for Migration to manage refugee and migration issues is not ideal. Japan should strengthen its own efforts through agencies like the Japan International Cooperation Agency. By focusing on international cooperation, technical assistance, and financial aid, Japan can help developing countries build the conditions that allow people to thrive at home, surrounded by family and community, in peace and stability. April 30, 2025, marked 50 years since the end of the Vietnam War. It was a moment that evoked memories of the harrowing refugee crisis that followed. In the late 1970s and 1980s, the exodus from Indochina shocked the world. Between two and three million "boat people" fled Vietnam alone. In an era before the internet or mobile phones, they were driven by fear, misinformation, and desperation, setting out into the sea with nothing but hope for survival. A Helicopter offloads evacuees onto the US Navy aircraft carrier USS Midway (CVA-41) during the evacuation of South Vietnam. ("Operation Frequent Wind") in April 1975. A boy who fled his country at the age of ten would now be 60. Rescued by Japan, he became a citizen more than three decades ago. Today, he runs his own company and actively supports students and technical interns from his homeland. He is one of many who now serve as living bridges between Japan and Vietnam. Foreign workers come with different hopes and plans. Some aim to stay briefly, earn money, and return home. Others dream of reuniting with family and building a permanent life in Japan. Whatever their path, we must ensure they can live here legally — in a society built on mutual respect and shared effort. Author: Fusako Yanase In addition to being an expert on immigration, Yanase is a best-selling author and former Honorary Chair of the Certified NPO Association for Aid and Relief, Japan. このページを 日本語 で読む
Japan Forward
13 hours ago
- Business
- Japan Forward
Restructured Fuji Media Holdings' Priority: Earn Back Public Trust
Fuji Media Holdings (FMH), parent company of Fuji Television and the Fujisankei Communications Group, held its annual shareholders' meeting on June 25. Normally an uneventful affair, this shareholders' meeting came amid severe criticism of the company's response to a scandal involving former popular entertainer and media personality Masahiro Nakai and a former Fuji TV female announcer. Nevertheless, shareholders approved the appointment of 11 directors, including Executive Managing Director Kenji Shimizu as president. The selection affirms FMH's new governance structure, which was put in place by the company following the scandal. Hopefully, the company will steadily implement revitalization measures and work to restore trust. Company representatives began the meeting by apologizing for the recent problems. Shimizu, who also serves as president of Fuji Television, promised to proceed in line with the revitalization plan. "We will proceed with bold reforms and efforts toward growth," he assured shareholders. The company's slate of management nominees was not the only one. Dalton Investments, a major non-media shareholder, offered its own 12 candidates for the board of directors. However, all 12 were rejected. The shareholders instead chose to support the company's autonomous revival as a broadcasting media company. Shareholders heading to the venue for the Fuji Media Holdings shareholders' meeting on June 25. (©Sankei by Masahiro Sakai) Ten new directors were chosen in addition to Shimizu. Six outside directors now constitute a majority on the board. An emphasis on diversity, such as increasing the proportion of women, was evident. Shimizu previously told The Sankei Shimbun : "I have knowledge of the media industry, human rights, digital and other areas. And I have reflected the opinions of a wide range of stakeholders." He also said that to prevent recurrence of incidents like the Nakai scandal, "We will hold repeated discussions within the company, including at the board of directors level, and establish a strong awareness of human rights." A third-party committee of outside lawyers determined that the sexual violence the announcer suffered occurred under circumstances that "were an extension of work." They also harshly criticized the poor corporate governance. For example, FMH's redress mechanisms failed to function properly, even though the company received a complaint from the woman about the abuse. The third-party committee also pointed out that the human rights issues involving sexual violence and harassment are structural issues. Moreover, the media and the entertainment industry were particularly prone to problems. In another widely publicized case, the entertainer Taichi Kokubun was dropped from appearances on Nippon Television and other networks due to "compliance violations." Issues involving business and human rights are not just someone else's problem. Good corporate governance allows employees to work with peace of mind. That way they can demonstrate their abilities. In turn, that supports a media company's growth, including in the creation of high-quality programs. Fuji TV also found itself involved in another scandal. In that case, the head of its variety shows was arrested on suspicion of habitual online casino gambling. It is essential that the company constantly review measures to strengthen its management and compliance. (Read the editorial in Japanese .) Author: Editorial Board, The Sankei Shimbun
Japan Forward
13 hours ago
- General
- Japan Forward
Explore Meiji-Era Elegance at Osaka's Former Public Hall
このページを 日本語 で読む Meiji-era Japan (1868–1912) was a time of rapid Westernization. This influence reached even architecture. A perfect example is the main entrance of the Old Sakuranomiya Public Hall in Osaka's Kita Ward. Today, it's a popular wedding venue and a symbol of early Meiji design. Until June 30, 2025, visitors can also enjoy dishes recreated from Meiji-era menus at the hall's retro and elegant restaurant. I visited in early May. From Minami-Morimachi Station on the Osaka Metro Tanimachi Line, it's just a short walk to the building, nestled among lush greenery. Its impressive main entrance is recognized as an Important Cultural Property and features six Tatsuyama stone pillars and grand doors. Across the street stands Senpukan, another Important Cultural Property. It once served as a guest house for the Japanese Mint Bureau. Together, these buildings create a charming atmosphere that feels like stepping back into the Meiji era. Inside the public hall, a lavish restaurant illuminated by sparkling chandeliers awaits visitors. The staircase handrail is said to be the original from when the building was constructed. Built in 1935 as the Meiji Emperor Memorial Hall, the Old Sakuranomiya Public Hall incorporates the main entrance from the early Meiji period Mint Foundry (now the Mint Bureau). This entrance was preserved and relocated here when the foundry was demolished. The large doors and lighting remain intact, just as they were originally installed. Today, the building is designated as a National Important Cultural Property. The hall, where Helen Keller once spoke, closed in 2007 and remained unused for many years. Osaka City, the owner, eventually sought a company to manage the site. Novarese took on the challenge, renovating and reopening the hall in 2013 as a wedding venue and restaurant. The main entrance of the Old Sakuranomiya Public Hall, featuring six impressive pillars, is designated as an Important Cultural Property. Because only old blueprints remained, there was little information about the original interiors or usage. Restoration was difficult. Still, preserved ceiling decorations and careful design brought the era's atmosphere back to life beautifully. "Welcome," said Tetsuya Ozaki, General Manager of Novarese's Osaka and Ashiya districts. The featured menu, called the "Meiji Feast," recreates dishes from the Meiji era based on historical records. It is available from April through June. I had the chance to enjoy a seven-course meal. A course meal inspired by a Meiji-era menu. The appetizer was steamed salmon chaudfroid — salmon gently cooked and topped with a mayonnaise-based sauce, resting on consommé jelly. Its charming retro presentation matched the harmonious flavors: rich salmon, tangy mayonnaise, and light consommé. For the fish course, I had sea bream stuffed inside red eggplant. The tender fish and potatoes were baked inside a tomato, balancing sweetness and acidity. Interestingly, during the Meiji period, vegetables were served before dessert to close the meal. The menu honors this tradition with asparagus, offering an experience of the dining culture of that time. Ozaki proudly noted, "This is the only place where you can enjoy Meiji-era cuisine in a building connected to Emperor Meiji [Mutsuhito]." Immersed in this historic atmosphere, I savored the luxurious, carefully recreated dishes. Author: Saki Maehara, The Sankei Shimbun このページを 日本語 で読む
Japan Forward
a day ago
- Sport
- Japan Forward
Former Judoka Aaron Wolf to Pursue a Career in Pro Wrestling
Reporting on Aaron Wolf becoming a pro wrestler, MLB pitcher Shota Imanaga's return following an injury, the Urawa Reds' exit from the Club World Cup and more. Aaron Wolf attends a news conference on June 23, 2025, in Tokyo. (©SANKEI) Retired judoka Aaron Wolf is launching a new career as a professional wrestler. The 2020 Tokyo Olympic gold medalist in the men's 100-kg division has joined New Japan Pro-Wrestling. At a news conference in Tokyo on Monday, June 23, NJPW President Hiroshi Tanahashi spoke about Wolf's commitment to becoming a wrestler. "Wolf has shown his dedication and passion for pro wrestling," Tanahashi told reporters. The NJPW executive added that "should he make his debut, he will be the first Japanese gold medalist to come into professional wrestling. I have high expectations, and I would like to see him debut [at Wrestle Kingdom 20] on January 4, 2026, in Tokyo Dome." NJPW President Hiroshi Tanahashi (left) and Aaron Wolf pose for photos at a news conference on June 23. (©SANKEI) Wolf, who finished seventh in the same weight class at the 2024 Paris Olympics, retired from judo on June 8. He'll now begin the journey in his new sport, which he says he's a big fan of, as someone eager to learn. "I won't waste a second of this time to prepare," Wolf, 29, told the news conference. ["But] I fully understand that I will be starting from zero." While looking ahead to this new challenge, Wolf also spoke about his judo career and the fact that he felt the timing was right to retire. "I had wanted to go into pro wrestling once I thought I could walk away from judo with no regrets," the 2017 world champion said, according to Kyodo News. He then said, "I am excited to challenge myself on a new stage." A passion for wrestling fueled his decision. "I will be moving on to pro wrestling, which has always been my dream," Wolf was quoted as saying by The Sankei Shimbun . "If you ask me why pro wrestling, it's because I like it." Aaron Wolf defeats South Korea's Gu Ham Cho in the men's 100-kg final at the Tokyo Olympics on July 29, 2021, at Nippon Budokan. (Annegret Hilse/REUTERS) A son of a Japanese mother and an American father, the Tokyo native doesn't intend to fully abandon his judo roots when he steps into the wrestling ring. "I really believe that you can't build a house without a strong foundation," he said on Monday. "My first love is judo though, and I won't throw that away. I would like to bring some aspects of that with me [in pro wrestling]." He'll join other prominent judoka who've moved on to other sports. Naoya Ogawa won the 95-kg division silver medal at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics before becoming a pro wrestler and mixed martial arts (MMA) fighter. Satoshi Ishii, the 2008 Beijing Games heavyweight champion, and Hidehiko Yoshida, the 78-kg gold medalist in Barcelona, also launched post-judo careers in MMA. In 1972, future politician Antonio Inoki established New Japan Pro-Wrestling. He passed away in October 2022. JUDO | Aaron Wolf, Shori Hamada Add to Japan's Impressive Gold-Medal Haul Chicago Cubs starter Shota Imanaga pitches against the St Louis Cardinals in the first inning on June 26 at Busch Stadium. (Jeff Curry/IMAGN IMAGES/via REUTERS) Chicago Cubs starter Shota Imanaga, who had been sidelined since May 4 with a left hamstring strain, returned to the starting rotation on Thursday, June 26. In the series finale against the St Louis Cardinals, Imanaga held the hosts to one hit in five scoreless innings. The Cubs won 3-0 at Busch Stadium. The only hit Imanaga (4-2) allowed was a first-inning single to Masyn Winn. Imanaga walked one and struck out three in his 77-pitch outing. After his first game in many weeks, Imanaga admitted he was eager to pitch again. "I realized that leaving a hole in the rotation would jeopardize my position as well as the team's, and I wanted to be as prepared as I could be when the game came around," he said, according to NHK. Imanaga added, "I need to spend each day without regrets so that when the game comes, I will have prepared to the utmost of my ability." A day before his first start since coming off the injured list, Imanaga spoke to reporters about his physical condition. "I'm 100% back and I'm prepared to throw," he said in St Louis. "Thankfully, it wasn't an injury with the shoulder or the elbow, so I was able to throw throughout the whole [recovery] process, and I feel like that good feeling that I had before the injury, that's still there and I was able to maintain that." ODDS and EVENS | Viewpoints on Sports News from Recent Days Urawa Reds' Yusuke Matsuo (right) competes against Monterrey's Stefan Medina in a 2025 FIFA Club World Cup Group E match at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California, on June 25. (Kirby Lee/IMAGN IMAGES/via REUTERS) After a 3-1 defeat to Argentina's River Plate in their opening match at the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, things didn't improve for the Urawa Reds in their final two matches in Group E play. The Reds lost 2-1 to Italy's Inter Milan on Saturday, June 21 in Seattle. Urawa grabbed the lead in the 11th minute on a Ryoma Watanabe goal, and Inter stormed back with two late goals to beat the club. On Wednesday, June 25, Mexico's Monterrey topped Urawa 4-0 in Los Angeles. SPORTS SHORTS | Urawa Reds Drop FIFA Club World Cup Opener Naomi Osaka in a May 2025 file photo. (Aleksandra Szmigiel/REUTERS) In a tuneup tournament for Wimbledon, Naomi Osaka was eliminated in straight sets in the second round on Tuesday, June 24. American No 5 seed Emma Navarro defeated the four-time Grand Slam singles champion 6-4, 6-4 at the Bad Homburg Open in Homburg, Germany. Patrick Mouratoglou, Osaka's coach, said she is taking steps to become a better player after returning to competition in 2024 following maternity leave. "I know what it's going to take for her to go to the next level, and I drive her to the next destination," Mouratoglou said in a short video posted on his Instagram page. He then said, "I know we're not that far." The French coach added, "I know the results are not great, as good as we expect them to be. But I see the progress." Osaka triumphed 7-6 (8-6), 7-6 (7-4) in a first-round match against Serbia's Olga Danilovic on Monday. The University of Oxford ekiden squad was disqualified for a rule violation in the second annual UK Ekiden after it finished the 114-km race ahead of Ritsumeikan University by 4 minutes, 28 seconds on June 20. As a result, the Kyoto school ascended into first place. What led to the University of Oxford's disqualification? "Organizers stepped in after they passed their relay sash outside of the designated area," BBC reported. Thirty-one teams, including 16 university squads, participated in the race that started in Windsor and moved along the Thames Path en route to King's Meadow in Reading and back. Racing the UK Ekiden Through 160 Years of Ties Author: Ed Odeven Find Ed on JAPAN Forward' s dedicated website, SportsLook . Follow his [Japan Sports Notebook] on Sundays, [Odds and Evens] during the week, and X (formerly Twitter) ＠ed_odeven .
