A vibrant conceptual illustration representing football predictions and analytics for the UEFA Europa League. (News On Japan)

Japan collected another 12 medals on Day 3 of the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games on September 21, with 17-year-old swimmer Shin Ohashi and karateka Kakeru Nishiyama winning gold, while the host nation also advanced strongly in women's volleyball, baseball, soccer, handball and hockey. (News On Japan)

Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako watched Japan defeat Kazakhstan in a women’s basketball preliminary-round game at the 20th Asian Games in Nagoya. (News On Japan)

A drone filming the illuminated Nagoya City Hall headquarters crashed into a building across the road shortly before 9 p.m. on September 17, with police investigating whether the flight may have violated Japan's Civil Aeronautics Act. (News On Japan)

The 20th Asian Games opened on September 19 with a ceremony at Paloma Mizuho Stadium in Nagoya, launching competition across venues in five prefectures through October 4. (News On Japan)

Japan secured a place in the women’s soccer quarterfinals at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games with one group-stage match remaining after overwhelming Vietnam 8-0 for its second consecutive victory. (News On Japan)

A cruise ship that will serve as an accommodation base for athletes and other participants in the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games arrived at Nagoya Port on September 15, ahead of the opening of the competition this week. (News On Japan)

Digital art projections will illuminate the Aichi Prefectural Government Office and Nagoya City Hall from September 17 through October 24 as part of celebrations surrounding the Asian Games and Asian Para Games, which will be held in September and October. (News On Japan)

Japan opened its women's soccer campaign at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games with an 8-0 victory over Thailand on September 14, making a dominant start to its bid for a third consecutive and fourth overall championship. (News On Japan)

Japan enjoyed one of its busiest sporting weekends of the year on September 12 and 13, highlighted by the men's national volleyball team winning the Asian championship and securing qualification for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, while Nippon Professional Baseball's pennant races tightened, Miyu Yamashita captured the Japan Women's PGA Championship, Kosuke Sunagawa earned his first men's tour victory, and the Asian Games moved closer to their official opening. (News On Japan)

Sota Fujii successfully defended his Oi title for a seventh consecutive year after defeating fellow 24-year-old Takumi Ito in Game 6 of the best-of-seven series, winning the match 4-2. (News On Japan)

Japan's men's volleyball team defeated Australia in straight sets on September 9 to complete the preliminary round of the Asian Championship with three consecutive victories, advancing to the knockout stage as pool winner and moving within three wins of securing a place at the Los Angeles Olympics. (News On Japan)

Japan's sporting calendar moved deeper into its busy autumn season on September 8, with the professional baseball pennant races tightening, Shohei Ohtani indicating that his pitching season is probably over, Japan completing an unbeaten preliminary round at the Asian Men's Volleyball Championship, and preparations accelerating for the Asian Games, the September Grand Sumo Tournament and a succession of major international events. (News On Japan)

Ticket sales for the Asian Games are gathering pace with less than two weeks until the competition begins, with more than 60% of tickets sold for the opening ceremony and 31 sports as of September 7, although organizers say seats remain readily available for events including soccer and baseball. (News On Japan)

A school-based torch relay for the Asian Games began in Aichi Prefecture on September 7, with students and other runners set to carry the flame through 14 schools before it reaches the main venue on September 16. (News On Japan)

Athletes competing in the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games began arriving in Japan in greater numbers on September 6, with competitors from countries including Jordan and South Korea entering through Chubu Centrair International Airport in Tokoname, Aichi Prefecture, ahead of the September 19 opening. (News On Japan)

The 20th FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup will be held in Berlin from September 4 to 13, 2026. (News On Japan)

Running around the Imperial Palace has become one of Tokyo's most popular fitness activities, but growing numbers of runners and pedestrians sharing narrow sidewalks are raising safety concerns and prompting calls for stronger rules and better infrastructure. (News On Japan)

The Japan Sumo Association announced the rankings for the Autumn Grand Sumo Tournament on August 31, with last tournament's champion Aonishiki returning to ozeki after two tournaments and taking the second position on the east side of the rankings. (News On Japan)

Japan's high school baseball national team began preparations for the U-18 Asian Baseball Championship with a training session in Yokohama on August 28, as the squad looks to capture the continental title at the tournament opening in Taiwan on September 7. (News On Japan)