Japan National Open

The Asian Games have opened in Japan, with attention turning to ten standout athletes expected to headline the competition. Coverage highlights the competitors seen as most likely to dominate their events and shape the medal race. As one of the world's largest multi-sport events, the Games draw wide interest from fans and national teams across Asia ahead of the opening contests.

Spain and Croatia are meeting as the UEFA Nations League opens, drawing attention from football fans worldwide. The tournament's start is also shaking up the FIFA rankings, with Norway jumping 18 places and closing to within one point of Japan, while Greece moved up two spots.

The Japan Women's Open, a JLPGA major that had never been played at Takarazuka Golf Club in its previous 58 editions, is arriving there for the tournament's 100th anniversary. The milestone has drawn attention from Japanese golf fans, with discussion of the historic venue and figures in women's golf such as Hisako Higuchi, Ayako Okamoto and Ai Miyazato.

Japan's defense minister says all options, including nuclear arms and nuclear-powered submarines, should be considered as the country weighs how to strengthen its defenses. The remarks are striking in a nation with a long-standing non-nuclear policy and constitutionally limited military, and they are likely to fuel debate at home and among neighbors about Japan's security direction.

Highlights of the first round of the 2026 Japan Women's Open Golf Championship, one of Japan's major women's golf tournaments, are being shared online. The coverage showcases key shots and scores from the opening round as fans follow how the championship is unfolding in its early stages.

Coverage of the first round of the 2026 Japan Women's Open Golf Championship is circulating, including tee shot footage from the opening day. Golf fans are sharing clips and following the early scores as one of Japan's major women's tournaments gets underway.

Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi has again called for an open national debate on nuclear weapons and nuclear-powered submarines, saying Japan should discuss such issues "without taboos." He expressed frustration that an atmosphere of reluctance still discourages serious public discussion of nuclear options, a sensitive topic given Japan's postwar pacifist identity and history as the only nation attacked with atomic bombs.

The first round of the 2026 Japan Women's Open Golf Championship has teed off, with the opening group starting play at the tournament in Japan. The national women's open is one of the major events on the Japanese golf calendar, and updates from the first round are being shared with golf fans following the scores as play unfolds.

Golf fans in Japan are discussing how the National Open, the country's top professional golf title, is open to entrants through qualifying rounds, meaning even amateurs can attempt to reach the professional peak. The discussion highlights the qualifying route and what it takes for amateur players to compete against pros.

Japan's Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi is calling for an open national debate on nuclear issues, including the possibility of nuclear-powered submarines. Any move to discuss nuclear options marks a highly sensitive shift in Japan, the only country to have suffered atomic bombings, where postwar policy has long adhered to the three non-nuclear principles. The proposal is drawing attention to how far Tokyo's security debate may go amid regional tensions.