Next spring, the WBC (World Baseball Classic) returns and Japan is hoping its national team will once again be crowned baseball’s world champs. Well, at least according to the WBC contest anyway.
This begs the question, does anyone believe that the WBC is capable of producing the highest level of competitive baseball in the world? Well, it probably doesn’t need to be said here that most American baseball fans don’t think so. Why? Well, most, if not all believe that the best players in the world eventually make their way to …

Ok, here’s the game…
Guess where in Tokyo the photographer was when he snapped the shot. Depending on the photo, a high degree of specificity may be required. Use your best judgment; If more precision is required, you’ll find out in the comments section below. The first person to guess all three locations correctly (subject to the author’s discretion) will get his or her Japan blog written up in JapanBlogger, as long as he or she consents to an interview. Leave your responses in the comments section of this post.
Seen this …

“One morning, Abe meets Aaron and promises him that if he (Aaron) skips work, he (Abe) will show him “the most meaningful thing that any living organism has ever witnessed.” From there, in a series of increasingly dramatic scenes, Abe reveals to Aaron that the machine works as a time-travel device.”

Meet Shane Sakata, Japan blogger and publisher of The Nihon Sun: Japan’s Online Culture and Travel Magazine.

That morning, I rode the local train into Shibuya Station. It was a cloudy day and a slight chill hung in the air…

In the past, presidential elections have often called to mind a few lyrics from The Who’s legendary rock anthem “Won’t Get Fooled Again.” You know the ones, “Meet the new boss… Same as the old boss.” Well, this time, as we headed into the election I was constantly optimistic. Not only that Obama would win, but that his victory would bring about the much-needed change most Americans (and some others throughout the world) had been longing for.
Well, now that the election is over and history has been made, much needs …

…That’s if the polls are any kind of accurate indicator of who’s ahead in the race. It’s one day to Election Day, and there’s no doubt in my mind that Barack Obama will be the next president of the United States. Am I excited about this? The answer is not just yes, it’s Hell yes! The country and yes, the world are indeed ready for a change. And the winds of change are going to start blowing, my friends. Does this mean that I think Obama is our savior and …

Fall is in full swing here in Tokyo and the nights are quickly getting cooler and cooler while the leaves are changing color…

In Japanese schools there’s a pure approach taken to sports; Participate for love of the sport and to show that you’re willing to give 100%. While there’s no doubt that Japanese schoolkids, like schoolkids all around the world, love to compete and show their stuff on the field, track, etc…, it’s also clear that they’re encouraged to support each other and keep animosity out of competitions.
Even in elementary schools (and sometimes earlier) kids are expected to participate in undokai, or sports festivals. By the time they reach junior high school …

If you’ve read a couple-dozen blogs or so on Japan, you’ve likely seen more than a few posts about someone’s favorite ramen here, particularly in Tokyo. Hell, there’s a whole blog dedicated to one person’s lifelong (maybe) ramen tour of the Kanto area. You may have heard of it; it’s called Ramen Tokyo. Well, rest assured that I won’t be starting my own ramen tour for the sake of having a series here at 7:10 called “Recommended Ramen.” But, if I do come across an amazing bowl of noodles every …