Chestnut repeats at hot-dog eating champ Jul 5, 2008
"He should've won it it was his to win," judge Gersh Kuntzman said of Kobayashi, 30, of Nagano, Japan. Rumors circulated all week about Kobayashi: that he had been given a spot in the contest without qualifying, and that he was too injured to compete. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution)
Former hot-dog-chomping champ hungry for new title Jul 4, 2008
It was a devastating defeat for Kobayashi, of Nagano, Japan, who had ruled the Coney Island frank fight since 2001. Shea said some competitors had grumbled about this year's shorter time limit, but said he thought veteran eaters might still be able to break records because participants in last year's contest ate a greater percentage of dogs in the first seven or eight minutes of the contest than in its final moments. (AZCentral -- News)
Kobayashi Aims To Reclaim Hot Dog Eating Crown Jul 4, 2008
It was a devastating defeat for Kobayashi, of Nagano, Japan. He had ruled the Coney Island frank fight every year since 2001. (WNBC.com, NY)
IPO Profile: Ina Research Inc. Jun 20, 2008
which conducts non-clinical trials for pharmaceuticals, will make its stock market debut on the Jasdaq Securities Exchange on Wednesday (JCN Network, Japan)
Taking her best shot Jun 19, 2008
Akstull has a picture on her desk taken as a child with former national team coach Ben Smith, who led the Americans to that gold in Nagano. Akstull would like the chance to earn her own medal. (Albany Times Union)
Anderson, Larionov highlight Hockey Hall class Jun 18, 2008
Ray Scapinello: (Referees/Linesmen category) Was a linesman in 2,500 regular-season games, 426 playoff games, 20 Stanley Cup Finals, three All-Star Games and the 1998 Olympics in Nagano, Japan ... Former NHL linesman Ray Scapinello, who officiated in 2,500 regular-season games, 426 playoff games, 20 Stanley Cup Finals, three NHL All-Star Games and the 1998 Olympics Hockey Tournament in Nagano, Japan, was selected in the officials' category. (USA Today -- Sports)
Larionov, Anderson among Hall of Fame Inductees Jun 18, 2008
In the Referee/Linesman Category, Scapinello was a veteran official of 33 years, who officiated in 2,500 regular-season games, 426 playoff games, 20 Stanley Cup Finals, three NHL All-Star Games and the 1998 Olympics Hockey Tournament in Nagano, Japan. When I started in this business, my mindset was to keep working so I never could have imagined this,'' said Scapinello. (TSN.ca)
Asian stocks mixed as weak energy sector drags down Sydney; Tokyo ... May 23, 2008
The market (is) keeping its bullish tone, as concerns about the credit crunch appear to have eased from the extremely pessimistic scenario before,' said Yoshinori Nagano, chief strategist at Nikko Asset Management in Tokyo. In Sydney, the S200 was down 69. (Forbes)
Quake helps mend China's image May 20, 2008
China's angry youth, called fen qing in Chinese, took to the streets in cities like Seoul and Nagano to "safeguard" the torch from anti-China protesters, beating up some of them. As a result, China's claims to succeeding on the strength of its soft power, were compromised. (Asia Times Online)
German companies balance benefits of Olympic sponsorship May 20, 2008
Three corporate sponsors of the Olympic torch relay in Japan - Lenovo, Coca-Cola and Samsung - decided against sending vehicles to take part in the flame motorcade through Nagano, two of them citing security concerns. But the stakes for the German companies are high: China is the most important Asian trading partner for Germany and 90 percent of German companies have expansion plans there, according to the German chambers of industry and commerce. (International Herald Tribune -- Business)
A history of overcoming injury May 10, 2008
As for the Winter Oympics, who can forget figure skater Elvis Stojko's silver-medal showing in 1998 at the Nagano Games. Stojko headed to Japan hiding a month-old groin injury. (Globe and Mail -- Sports)
Chinese President Hu's visit to Japan boosts warming trend May 8, 2008
Ahead of his trip, he told former Japanese leader Yasuhiro Nakasone that he thanked Japan for supporting the Olympics and securing the torch run in Nagano without major incident. Upon arrival, he said that both countries benefit from a "good neighborly friendship.". (Christian Science Monitor -- USA)
Japan Protesters Greet Chinese President Hu Jintao Before Speech in Tokyo May 8, 2008
Officials deployed more than 3,000 police to Nagano, the site of the 1998 Winter Olympics. There were five arrests. (Bloomberg -- Japan)
* Taiwan News Quick Take May 2, 2008
Tashi Tsering, also vice chairman of the Taiwan chapter of the Tibetan Youth Congress, was detained for attempting to approach the Olympic torch during the flame relay in Nagano in central Japan last Saturday. After his initial 48-hour detention period was over, Tashi Tsering was interrogated by a prosecutor, who decided to extend his detention for another 10 days. (Taipei Times, Taiwan -- World)
Malden Chinese-Americans talk Beijing Olympics May 2, 2008
Japan is the lone Asian nation to host a Winter Olympics, which it has done twice in Sapporo, 1972, and Nagano, 1998. I think because usually the Olympic games are held in different countries, each region and culture gets involved, Kung said. (Malden Observer, MA)
China's Panda Diplomacy May 2, 2008
But ties have improved lately and Beijing's Olympic torch made its tour of Nagano City without much incident last week (unlike a later, tumultuous journey through South Korea). But now, just as Tokyo is about to welcome Chinese President Hu Jintao on a relatively extended state visit, a strange omen has occured: Ling Ling, the only panda that China has given rather than loaned to Japan, has died. (Time.com)
Torch relay confined to Jakarta stadium Apr 23, 2008
Problems also have cropped up for Saturdays relay in Nagano, Japan the host of the 1998 Winter Games ... After Nagano, the torch goes on to Seoul, where two South Koreans slated to run in the torch relay on Sunday said they would boycott the event, also to protest the Tibet crackdown. (MSNBC -- Sports)
Torch goes off route during Indonesian relay Apr 23, 2008
On Saturday in Nagano, Japan, host of the 1998 Winter Games, the relay will begin in a parking lot instead of a 1,400-year-old Zenkoji Buddhist temple. Monks there had cited security concerns. (USA Today -- Sports)
Cops: Olympic Champ Given "Date Rape" Drug Apr 23, 2008
In this Feb. 15, 1998 file photo, the ice dance team of Pasha Grishuk, right, and Yevgeny Platov, of Russia, practice a routine at the White Ring Arena at the XVIII Winter Olympics in Nagano, Japan. Authorities say former Olympic ice dancer Pasha Grishuk was drugged with GHB, a common date rape drug, during a business meeting at a ritzy Orange County, Calif. (CBS News -- US)
SCHULER TO JOIN BULLDOG WOMEN'S HOCKEY STAFF Apr 23, 2008
She helped Miller claim a silver medal for Canada in 1998 in the first-ever Olympic women's ice hockey competition in Nagano, Japan. During her tenure with Team Canada as a player, she also won World Championship titles in 1990, 1992 and 1997. (Wcha.com)
BOJ May Put Off Plan to Raise Rates as Shirakawa Foresees Further Slowdown Apr 23, 2008
Considering the recent state of financial markets and economic conditions, it's obvious that the central bank can't explicitly campaign for the adjustment of interest rates,'' said , a professor of economics of Shinshu University in Nagano, central Japan. Policy Description. (Bloomberg -- Japan)
Olympic torch to make Japanese debut in parking lot Apr 22, 2008
The often harassed and rerouted torch relay was to hit the streets of the mountainous city of Nagano in central Japan that hosted of the 1998 Winter Games on Saturday ... Last week, officials at Zenkoji, which was often showcased during the Nagano Games, said they would not make good on their promises to host the start of the relay event, citing security concerns and unease among its monks and supporters over China's treatment of their fellow Buddhists in Tibet ... After Nagano, the torch goes... (USA Today -- Sports)
Tight torch relay in Indonesia on grim trip Apr 22, 2008
Security concerns have also prompted changes to the torch route in Japan and caused sponsors to pull out of a motorcade for Saturday's relay in Nagano City. (Reporting by Telly Nathalia and Ahmad Pathoni in Jakarta; Editing by Bill Tarrant). (International Herald Tribune)
Kenyan Three-peats at Boston Marathon Apr 22, 2008
"I am happy to be winning in Boston," said Tune, 22, who placed second in last year's Olympic Commemoration Marathon in Nagano, Japan. Biktimirova, 25, said she simply lacked enough power. (ABC News)
New starting point chosen for Olympic torch Apr 21, 2008
Nagano city officials now plan to start the April 26 leg of the run at a city-owned parking lot, said Yuya Kobayashi at the city planning committee for the relay. advertisement. (MSNBC -- Sports)
* Nepal OKs use of deadly force on Everest Apr 21, 2008
The Zenkoji Temple in Nagano on Friday withdrew from plans to be the start point for the Japanese leg of the relay on April 26 because of Chinas crackdown in Tibet. Six white spray paint graffiti patterns were found on pillars and sliding doors at the main sanctuary of the 1,400-year-old temple early yesterday, a spokesman for the Nagano Prefectural police said. (Taipei Times, Taiwan -- World)
Japan moves start of torch relay to parking lot Apr 21, 2008
Nagano city officials now plan to start the April 26 leg of the run at a city-owned parking lot, said Yuya Kobayashi at the city planning committee for the relay. The new site is part of a government district about 1/2 mile from the initial site and would not affect the distance of the relay or security planning, Kobayashi said. (SportsIllustrated.CNN -- More)
Oly flame arrives without incident in Malaysia Apr 21, 2008
In Japan Sunday, a major Japanese Buddhist temple with graffiti, days after it withdrew a plan to host the torch relay in Nagano, police said. Nagano police were investigating the incident and trying to determine whether it was related to the temple's decision to pull out of the event. (SportsIllustrated.CNN -- More)
Olympic torch underway in Malaysia amid tight security Apr 21, 2008
Hundreds of protesters were arrested in India and Nepal last week when the torch was carried through New Delhi, while a landmark Buddhist temple scrapped plans to host the launch of Japan's leg in the mountain town of Nagano -- it will now take place in a parking lot due to fears of further protests. After Kuala Lumpur, the torch relay travels to Indonesia, Australia, South Korea, Japan and Vietnam before heading to China. (Yahoo News -- Top Stories)
Malaysia boosts security for torch Apr 21, 2008
Kyodo News and national broadcaster NHK said Nagano city officials will start the April 26 leg of the relay at a city-owned parking lot instead of the temple. Buddhist monks at the centuries-old Zenkoji temple refused to host the start of the relay. (Aljazeera.Net)
Olympic torch arrives in Malaysia Apr 21, 2008
In Japan, Zenkoji Temple, a major Buddhist temple in Nagano, was sprayed with graffiti just days after the city withdrew a plan to host the torch relay there, the police said. The graffiti - consisting of white circular patterns and lines - was found Sunday morning in six spots of the main hall at the temple, the Japanese broadcaster NHK reported. (International Herald Tribune -- Sports)
Japan torch relay to start in car park Apr 21, 2008
The seventh-century 00004000 Zenkoji Temple in Nagano, the mountain town that hosted the 1998 Winter Olympics, withdrew from plans to be the start point for the Japanese leg of the relay next Saturday because of China's crackdown in Tibet. "We decided to change the starting point to a vacant lot which used to be the site of a municipal building," a Nagano municipal official said today. (Melbourne Herald Sun)
Japan 'snubs' China's 'men in blue' Apr 20, 2008
Japanese police formally turned down a proposal by Chinese Olympic organisers for several security officials to escort the torch through the city of Nagano, Kyodo news agency reported on Saturday. Torch-runners in other countries have complained they were tightly surrounded by China's "men in blue" who acted aggressively and shouted orders at them. (Aljazeera.Net)
Japanese temple sprayed with graffiti after withdrawing from ... Apr 20, 2008
Spray-painted graffiti consisting of white circular patterns and lines was found Sunday morning in six spots in the main hall at Zenkoji Temple, a national treasure in the city of Nagano, Japanese broadcaster NHK reported. Nagano police were investigating the incident as property destruction and whether it was related to the decision to pull out of the Olympic torch relay ... City officials in Nagano, host of the 1998 Winter Olympic Games, are still considering alternate sites for the torch... (International Herald Tribune)
Japan Buddhist Temple Vandalized After Declining Olympic Relay, AFP Says Apr 20, 2008
in Nagano Prefecture, northern Japan, refused to serve as the starting point for the torch relay on April 26. Six white spray paint graffiti patterns were found on pillars and sliding doors at the main sanctuary of the 1,400- year-old temple early today, AFP said. (Bloomberg -- Japan)
Travails of the torch: The story so far Apr 20, 2008
Stages to come: April 21 - Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia April 22 - Jakarta, Indonesia April 24 - Canberra, Australia April 26 - Nagano, Japan April 27 - Seoul, South Korea April 28 - Pyongyang, North Korea April 29 - Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam May 2-August 7: The flame crosses China, visiting Hong Kong on May 2 and nearby Macau on May 3. It is due to visit Tibet from June 19-21 August 8 - The 2008 Summer Games open in Beijing. (India Times, India)
Thailand Braces for Olympic Torch as Police Tighten Security in Bangkok Apr 19, 2008
Zenkoji Temple in Nagano Prefecture rejected hosting the event because of concerns over security and events in Tibet, AP cited unidentified temple officials as saying. The route through Nagano City will be changed, AP cited Kunihiko Shinohara, a city official, as saying. (Bloomberg -- Asia)
Tibet an 'international issue' Apr 19, 2008
On Friday, a Japanese temple pulled out of a hosting ceremony for the flame during its visit to Nagano, host of the 1998 Winter Olympics. The United States declined to its ally's warning, but said it wants conditions in Tibet to improve. (iAfrica.com)
Troubled Olympic torch readies for Thailand outing Apr 19, 2008
Beijing suffered another blow to the torch relay on Friday, when a Buddhist temple in the Japanese city of Nagano pulled out of hosting a ceremony for the flame, citing concern over the situation in Tibet. Though Japan's Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda said the temple's decision was "unfortunate," he also bluntly told visiting Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechia that Tibetan unrest had become an international issue. (Yahoo! Asia News)
Japanese temple refuses Olympic torch Apr 18, 2008
Yoshikatsu Tsuno / AFP - Getty ImagesThe Zenkoji Temple in Nagano was to be the starting point for an April 26 Olympic torch relay, but reportedly will not be part of the ceremony due to concerns Buddhist monks there are sympathetic to Tibetan protesters targeted in a crackdown by Chinese authorities ... Zenkoji Temple has refused to serve as the starting point for the April 26 relay, said Kunihiko Shinohara, secretary-general of the Nagano city organizing committee for the event ... Nagano, the... (MSNBC -- Race)
Japanese Temple Refuses to Host Olympic Torch Relay Apr 18, 2008
Zenkoji Temple has refused to serve as the starting point for the April 26 relay, said Kunihiko Shinohara, secretary-general of the Nagano city organizing committee for the event ... Nagano, the host of the 1998 Winter Olympics, has already canceled a post-relay event because of security concerns. (Fox News)
Japanese Temple Pulls Out Of Torch Relay Apr 18, 2008
Zenkoji was originally scheduled to be the starting point for the relay in Japan in the mountainous Nagano region. Copyright 2008 by. (Click2Houston, TX)
Japan temple rejects torch relay Apr 18, 2008
Zenkoji Temple, in the city of Nagano, had been due to serve as the starting point for the parade on 26 April ... 5 miles) through Nagano, which hosted the 1998 Winter Olympic Games ... Kunihiko Shinohara, of Nagano's organising committee for the relay, said that the starting point for the parade would be changed. (BBC News -- Asia-Pacific)
No security role for China torch guards in Japan Apr 17, 2008
The torch arrives in Nagano, central Japan, where the Winter Games were hosted in 1998, on April 26, after passing through several stops marred by chaotic demonstrations, mostly over a Chinese crackdown in Tibet ... 5 miles) route that has not been altered or cut short despite the protests, said an official at the relay's organising committee in Nagano. (International Herald Tribune -- Business)
China calls for a people's army to march on Canberra to defendtorch Apr 16, 2008
India has trimmed the route by two-thirds and Japan has cancelled a public celebration linked to the relay later this month in the city of Nagano because of security concerns. Perceptions that the West is pro-Tibet and anti-China have generated a furious outpouring of ethnic Chinese patriotism, fuelled by private bloggers and the state propaganda machine. (Sydney Morning Herald -- World)
Merchant Confidence Climbs to a Four-Month High; Gains May Be Short-Lived Apr 8, 2008
Shiojiri city in central Japan's Nagano Prefecture this month raised the price of school lunches by 20 yen (20 cents) a day, the first increase in nine years. We really tried not to raise the price but the pace of inflation is beyond our control,'' said Noriko Hatano, an official of Shiojiri's education department. (Bloomberg -- Japan)
On to Beijing Mar 30, 2008
Protests also are expected April 24 in Canberra, Australia, and security is being tightened for the April 26 leg in Nagano, Japan. On Saturday, foreign ministry spokesman Qin Gang called a report that China would send troops to Australia to protect the torch relay "purely a rumor with ulterior motives.". (SportsIllustrated.CNN -- More)
Snowboarders Rule Mar 28, 2008
By 1998 snowboarding was clearly the fastest growing winter sport in the world and the Olympic games featured snowboarding at its winter games in Nagano, Japan. By the 2006 Olympics the United States would land 7 medals in Torino, Italy and stars such as Shaun White, Danny Kass, Hannah Teter, Gretchen Bleiler and others would add to the interest and appeal of snowboarding. (Suite101.com)
Torch protest plans heat up AFLAME IN GREECE: Supporters of Tibet disrupt... Mar 25, 2008
April 26: Nagano, Japan. April 27: Seoul. (San Francisco Chronicle -- Sports)
Protests mar torch-lighting Mar 25, 2008
April 26: Nagano, Japan. April 27: Seoul, South Korea. (News & Observer -- Sports)
World athletes hail torch relay as flame lit up Mar 25, 2008
"I never expect to become a torch bearer for the upcoming Olympics, but it is meaningful to inform the arrival of the Olympic flame to the people of the world and increase the awareness for the Olympic movement. I feel so excited to get involved in the torch relay," said Kitajima, who is expected to run in Nagano of Japan segment. "Now I am competing on a plateau of the USA, and training for 10,00 meters per day," added Kitajima. (Xinhuanet, China)
Fearless Germans claim pairs crown Mar 20, 2008
She left longtime coach Pam Gregory and now trains with Richard Callaghan, who coached Tara Lipinski to gold in the Nagano Olympics. Meissner said she isn't bothered by being 7 points out of the lead. (Boston Globe)
Japan to sweep skating World Championships? Mar 18, 2008
Irina Slutskaya and Alexei Yagudin won the men's and women's events at the 2002 worlds in Nagano. Asada is coming off an impressive performance last month in South Korea, where she won the Four Continents without coach Rafael Arutunian. (SportsIllustrated.CNN -- More)
Japan figure skaters looking for gold Mar 18, 2008
Japan is looking to take home the gold in both the men's and the women's - a feat not accomplished since Russia's Alexei Yagudin and Irina Slutskaya won for Russia at the 2002 worlds in Nagano, Japan. In the pairs, Aliona Savchenko and Robin Szolkowy are out to win the title for Germany for the first time since 1997 - when their coach Ingo Steuer won with Mandy Woetzel. (International Herald Tribune -- Sports)
Quad milestones Mar 16, 2008
1998 Michael Weiss of U.S. attempts quad Lutzes at both his national championship (landed on two feet) and Olympics (fell) in Nagano. Ilia Kulik of Russia is the first Olympic champion to land a quad in his winning program. (Globe and Mail -- Sports)
Winter Sports: Bjoerndalen takes biathlon title Mar 15, 2008
NAGANO, Japan (AP) -- Denny Morrison of Canada won the 1,500 meters and American Shani Davis tied for second Sunday at the speedskating World Single Distance Championships ... 22 seconds at Nagano's M-Wave to finish 0. (SportsIllustrated.CNN -- More)
Vonn passes Street Mar 9, 2008
Speedskating - Shani Davis set a track record while winning the 1,000 meters at the World Single Distance Championships in Nagano, Japan. The Olympic gold medalist was clocked in 1 minute 8. (Boston Globe)
More People & Entertainment Stories Sports Headlines Canada's day as Wotherspoon, Groves win world's speed skating Mar 7, 2008
NAGANO, Japan (AFP) - World sprint record holder Jeremy Wotherspoon made it a Canadian double after Kristina Groves won on the second day of the world speed skating single distance championships on Friday. Wotherspoon clocked new rink records of 34. (Yahoo! Asia News)
Records: Tuesday, March 4 Mar 5, 2008
Keith Sladek of Thorp traveled to Japan to compete in the Paralympic Games in Nagano, Japan. 1988. (Chippewa Falls Chippewa Herald, WI)
Hot-Tubbing Monkeys Mar 2, 2008
I took a shinkansen - a bullet train - from Tokyo, then transferred to a slow, local train in Nagano city, thence onto a "Snow Monkey Holiday Minibus" from the town of Yamanouchi to the edge of the national park ... To the world at large, this rustic valley, located just a mile and a half from Yamanouchi town, in rural Nagano Prefecture, is best known as the site of the 1998 Winter Olympics ... Indeed, the gleaming main train station in Nagano city was built to handle crowds for the Olympics,... (San Francisco Chronicle -- Crime)
Asian Stocks Rise After Bond Insurers Keep Ratings; Mitsubishi UFJ Gains Feb 26, 2008
S&P's move doesn't fix the problem completely, but it does buy some time to find solutions,'' said Yoshinori Nagano, who helps oversee about $70 billion at Daiwa Asset Management Co. in Tokyo. Real-estate stocks climbed in Japan on speculation developers will be able to finance projects as the credit squeeze eases. (Bloomberg -- Asia)
Stocks Drop, Led by Retailers, Power Producers; Aeon, Tokyo Electric Slide Feb 26, 2008
There were expectations that wage hikes this spring would feed into higher retail sales,'' said Yoshinori Nagano, who helps oversee about $70 billion at Daiwa Asset Management Co. in Tokyo. That's looking less likely. (Bloomberg -- Japan)
Aussies seek slice of ski market Feb 25, 2008
Japan began to develop a reputation as a ski destination after the Winter Olympics in Nagano in 1998 but it still took five or six years for the word-of-mouth effect about Niseko took effect in Australia, Goulding says. Now the brothers' biggest challenge is fending off the competition in this burgeoning resort. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Business)
Yamahai warriors Feb 23, 2008
" But the yamahai process still takes about a month or more, whereas dumping in lactic acid at the beginning (the "sokujo" method) can cut that step in less than half, while also making unwelcome bacteria far less likely. Since sokujo is faster and safer, it's no wonder that 20 years ago yamahai production had almost completely died out in Japan, according to Kenji Nasu, master brewer for Nagano-based Masumi Premium Sake, which makes three different yamahai sakes that are among the most widely... (San Francisco Chronicle)
* Shani Davis wins second 1,000m race in two days Feb 19, 2008
The commanding win for the German, who has won the season title, boosted her confidence ahead of the world championships in three weeks in Nagano, Japan. Jeremy Wotherspoon gained revenge on Japan's Joji Kato, who handed the Canadian his only loss in the 500m in eight races on Saturday. (Taipei Times, Taiwan -- World)
