Japan men's soccer standout Ryo Germain scored his tournament-leading fifth goal in the eighth minute against South Korea on Tuesday night, July 15.
It was a high-stakes contribution for Germain, who plies his craft for the J.League's Sanfrecce Hiroshima, in the East Asian Football Federation E-1 Football Championship final in Yongin, South Korea. Teammate Yuki Soma created the scoring opportunity with a well-placed cross.
The Samurai Blue defeated the hosts 1-0, completing the four-nation final round with a perfect 3-0 record.
Manager Hajime Moriyasu selected all of the team's players from the J.League instead of also filling out the roster with players who compete for European soccer squads.
"My players made a great effort," Moriyasu said, according to Kyodo News. "They showed the pride of the J.League and the depth of our national team."
Successful Soccer Tourney for Japan
In Japan's first match of the E-1 Football Championship final round, Germain scored four goals in the opening half of a 6-1 rout of Hong Kong on July 8. Moriyasu's men then triumphed 2-0 over China in their second match of the tourney's final round on July 12.
Japan's Keisuke Osako (Sanfrecce) was named the E-1 Football Championship's Best Goalkeeper.
The next E-1 Football Championship is scheduled for 2028 in China.
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Volleyball
Japan Rallies to Beat Germany in Men's Nations League Clash
Playing its first of four home matches in Week 3 of the preliminary phase of the 2025 FIVB Men's Volleyball Nations League, Japan rallied past Germany on Wednesday, July 16.
At Chiba Port Arena, Japan triumphed 21-25, 25-20, 25-23, 25-20.
National team standouts Yuki Ishikawa, Ran Takahashi and Kento Miyaura spearheaded Japan's come-from-behind victory. The threesome combined for 61 points, with 19 attack points, aka kills, apiece. Ishikawa, who had a match-best 22 points, also contributed two blocks and an ace before a lively crowd of 7,000.
After picking up the win over Germany to improve to 6-3 in the preliminary round, Japan's challenging Week 3 schedule was as follows: Argentina (July 17), top-ranked Brazil (July 18) and the United States (July 20).
Miyaura described his team's overall performance against Germany as positive. But he wasn't completely pleased with his performance.
"We knew this was going to be a difficult match, and we had to adjust some details during the match," Miyaura told reporters. "I'm satisfied with our victory, but I know I have some things to improve for the next matches, especially my serve."
The 18-team Volleyball Nations League runs from June 11 to August 3. And the top eight teams in the preliminary round, which is being staged in several countries during the three weeks of play, will advance to the quarterfinals.
Starting on July 30, the northeastern Chinese city of Ningbo is the site for the final week of the competition.
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Golf
Due to Bear Sighting, JLPGA Tour Event to be Held Without Fans
A bear was seen at Sendai Classic Golf Club in Tomiya, Miyagi Prefecture on Wednesday, July 16. Due to safety concerns, JLPGA Tour officials canceled the next day's first round of the Meiji Yasuda Ladies Golf Tournament.
The tournament was shortened to three rounds (July 18-20), the JLPGA Tour announced on its website. And it will be contested without spectators.
"We deeply apologize to the fans who have been looking forward to the event, and ask for your understanding in this matter," the JLPGA Tour said in its news release.
Information on ticket refunds will be released as soon as possible, the JLPGA Tour also announced.
Baseball
University of Hawaii's Takemoto Picked in 19th Round of MLB Draft
The Athletics selected Wakayama native Itsuki Takemoto in the 19th round of the 2025 MLB Draft on Monday, July 14.
A productive pitcher and designated hitter during the 2024 and '25 collegiate baseball seasons for the University of Hawaii, Takemoto was the 560th overall pick in the draft.
As a sophomore, Takemoto made 15 pitching appearances (14 starts) in 2025. He had a 2-6 record with a 5.75 ERA with 22 walks and 57 strikeouts in a team-high 67⅓ innings. The Chiben Gakuen Wakayama Senior High School graduate also played 45 games as the designated hitter, including 37 starts. He hit .256 with 21 RBIs.
In 2025, Takemoto earned All-Big West Conference accolades.
Boosting his visibility in front of MLB scouts, the right-handed pitcher competed in the Cape Cod League in 2024. The summer league is a showcase circuit for college players who are highly regarded pro prospects. In nine appearances for the Orleans Firebirds, Takemoto had a 3-1 record with a 0.71 ERA, striking out 23 batters in 25⅓ innings.
As a result of his dynamic effort on the mound, Takemoto received the Cape Cod League's 2024 BFC Whitehouse Outstanding Pitcher Award.
The Athletics moved from Oakland to West Sacramento following the 2024 season. They are scheduled to be based in the suburban city near the California capital through 2027 and then move to a new ballpark in Las Vegas. For now, they are simply known as the Athletics or the A's, without Oakland or West Sacramento as part of their official name.
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- [JAPAN SPORTS NOTEBOOK] University of Oregon's Rikuu Nishida Selected in 11th Round of MLB Draft
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.
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