A shocking piece of news hit the Japanese sports world when professional boxer Urakawa Taishō was announced dead at the young age of 28. The cause and details surrounding his passing have not been released yet. Urakawa had an extraordinary track record in the boxing ring and his untimely death has left a void in Japanese boxing which will be hard to fill.

Boxing is a beloved sport in Japan and sports figures like Urakawa are generally highly respected, with their matches often drawing large television audiences. Death of such a young and promising athlete could spark discussions on mental and physical health awareness among athletes, including their intense training regimens and pressures they face.

Just like in the US or EU, the death of a well-known sports figure often leads to reflections on the physical toll and mental health struggles that come with being a professional athlete. It could potentially prompt dialogues on the need for adequate safeguards to protect the health of athletes, and changes to training routines, just as similar incidents have done in Western countries.