Top Stories - Sports

Please note there has been a date change for this years Japan Open in Tokyo. Due to venue problems the event will now take place on June 28th and not on April 26th.

Japan captain Yuji Nakazawa has admitted that defeat to "pizza-eating" Australia in their final World Cup qualifier stung badly.

The Yokohama defender missed Wednesday's 2-1 loss in Melbourne with a migraine but did not pull his punches after analysing a tape of the game upon returning to Japan.

Caroline Wozniacki of Denmark may be regarded as the future of women’s tennis but she had to survive an almighty scare in the first round against a player who first appeared at Wimbledon before she was even born. Date stunned Wozniacki by taking the first set and breaking two service games in the second set to lead 3-1.

This is a wonderful story about the way in which a contribution of photos and videos from across the world has been compiled over the past few weeks to support Tokyo2016.

Here are 10 top photos that introduce the enthusiasm for this bid from a digital community.

Ted Tanabe, considered one of the finest referees in Japan, passed away on Monday, June 15.

Tanabe was refereeing a match for Osaka Pro Wrestling when he collapsed in the ring, suffering from a heart attack.

He was immediately rushed to the hospital, but died shortly after. He was also 46.

Kimiko Date Krumm of Japan will compete at Wimbledon for the first time in 13 years. The 38-year-old Date Krumm, who came out of retirement last year, has received a wild card. She won through qualifying rond and lost in the first rond at Australian Open 2009. Wimbledon starts June 22.

Japan could pip Australia on Saturday by becoming the second team after host South Africa to qualify for the 2010 World Cup.

Both nations are on the brink of qualifying after heading their Asian qualifying group.

Japan coach Takeshi Okada has told his squad to sober up after beating under-strength Chile and Belgium and brace themselves for a decisive World Cup qualifier against Uzbekistan on Saturday.

“This won’t guarantee us anything against Uzbekistan,” he said after Japan blanked Belgium 4-0 on Sunday following a 4-0 defeat of Chile last week in the three-nation Kirin Cup.

Did you know that Fuji TV Building was designed by the same architect that designed the stadium for the 1964 Olympics? Its an interesting connection to make for those who are lobbying for the Tokyo Olympics in 2016. Great designs that work and are innovative.

Alongside the Gakushi Kaikan building in Tokyo's Kanda district, where the University of Tokyo's predecessor Kaisei Gakko once stood, is a monument to "the birthplace of the University of Tokyo." At the beginning of the Meiji period, students there keenly participated in western sports including cricket, boating events and baseball, and another monument states that the area is "the birthplace of J

Ozeki Harumafuji pulled off the improbable Sunday by beating grand champion Hakuho in a playoff to capture his first career title at the Summer Grand Sumo Tournament. Harumafuji, the Mongolian dynamite formerly known as Ama, got an explosive jump at the face-off before placing his left hand on the back of Hakuho's mawashi and making his first attempt at an underarm throw at Ryogoku Kokugikan.

Shunsuke Nakamura is set to decide whether to rejoin former club Yokohama Marinos after they made their move for the Celtic midfielder.

If you are a golfer and live in Japan, you might want to check out Gaijin Golfers, the latest addition to the JAPUNDIT blogroll.

Japan defender Yuji Nakazawa believes the "Blue Samurai" can wipe the smiles off Brazil's faces if the teams meet at next year's World Cup.
Brazil ushered Japan out of the 2006 World Cup in Germany with a 4-1 thrashing in their final group game and Nakazawa is eager for a little payback -- once Japan qualify.

Controversial sumo grand champion Asashoryu has triggered speculation he is close to quitting the ancient heavyweight sport with a series of cryptic comments to Japanese journalists