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Japan national badminton team

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Japan
AssociationBadminton Association of Japan
ConfederationBadminton Asia
PresidentMitsuru Murai
BWF ranking
Current ranking3 (7 October 2025)
Highest ranking1 (4 October 2018)
Sudirman Cup
Appearances17 (first in 1989)
Best resultRunners-up (2015, 2019, 2021)
Thomas Cup
Appearances16 (first in 1964)
Best result Champions (2014)
Uber Cup
Appearances26 (first in 1966)
Best result Champions (1966, 1969, 1972, 1978, 1981, 2018)
Asian Mixed Team Championships
Appearances4 (first in 2017)
Best result Champions (2017)
Asian Men's Team Championships
Appearances9 (first in 1965)
Best resultRunners-up (2016)
Asian Women's Team Championships
Appearances4 (first in 2016)
Best result Champions (2018, 2020)

The Japan national badminton team (Japanese: 日本代表バドミントンチーム) represents Japan in international badminton team competitions. The Japanese women's team have won the Uber Cup 6 times, with their most recent being the 2018 Uber Cup. The men's team won their first Thomas Cup title in 2014. The mixed team were runners-up three times at the Sudirman Cup.

The Japanese badminton team has been prestigious in the Olympics, having won a gold medal in the 2016 Summer Olympics and a silver and 2 bronze medals.

Summer Olympic Games

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Japan made its Olympic badminton debut when the sport became a full medal event at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics. The nation won its first-ever Olympic badminton medal at the 2012 London Olympics, where Mizuki Fujii and Reika Kakiiwa secured a silver in women's doubles. Japan's first gold medal came at the 2016 Rio Olympics from Misaki Matsutomo and Ayaka Takahashi in women's doubles; at the same Games, Nozomi Okuhara claimed a bronze in women's singles, Japan's first medal in that discipline. Yuta Watanabe and Arisa Higashino won the nation's first mixed doubles medal with a bronze in 2020 Tokyo Olympic and followed it with another bronze in 2024 Paris Olympic, becoming the first Japanese badminton players to win medals in consecutive Olympics.[1]

Medals table

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As of the 2024 Olympics[2]
Badminton at Summer Olympics all time medal table-Japan Japan
Events Gold Gold Silver Silver Bronze Bronze Total
MS Men's singles 0 0 0 0
WS Women's singles 0 0 1 1
MD Men's doubles 0 0 0 0
WD Women's doubles 1 1 1 3
XD Mixed doubles 0 0 2 2
Total 1 1 4 6

List of medalists

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Year Location Player Category Medal
2012 United Kingdom London, England Mizuki Fujii
Reika Kakiiwa 		Women's doubles Silver Silver
2016 Brazil Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Misaki Matsutomo
Ayaka Takahashi 		Women's doubles Gold Gold
Nozomi Okuhara Women's singles Bronze Bronze
2020 Japan Tokyo, Japan Yuta Watanabe
Arisa Higashino 		Mixed doubles Bronze Bronze
2024 France Paris, France Yuta Watanabe
Arisa Higashino 		Mixed doubles Bronze Bronze
Nami Matsuyama
Chiharu Shida 		Women's doubles Bronze Bronze

World Badminton Championships

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Japan has competed in the BWF World Championships since the inaugural tournament in 1977, where Etsuko Toganoo and Emiko Ueno won the nation's first gold medal in women's doubles.[3][4] Following medals in 1977 and 1980, the team did not secure another medal until 2003. The country's first medal in a men's event was a bronze in men's doubles in 2007.

The nation has seen significant achievements at the world championships since 2017. That year, Nozomi Okuhara became Japan's first women's singles world champion.[5][6] Kento Momota subsequently becoming the first Japanese men's singles champion with consecutive titles in 2018 and 2019. In women's doubles, Mayu Matsumoto and Wakana Nagahara also won back-to-back gold medals in 2018 and 2019.[7] In 2021, Takuro Hoki and Yugo Kobayashi becoming Japan's first men's doubles world champions.[8] With three women's singles titles, Akane Yamaguchi is Japan's most successful player across any discipline at the world championships.[9][10] To date, mixed doubles remains the only discipline in which Japan has not won a World Championship title.

Medals table

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As of 2025 BWF World Championships
World Badminton Championships all time medal table-Japan Japan
Events Gold Gold Silver Silver Bronze Bronze Total
MS Men's singles 2 1 1 4
WS Women's singles 4 1 4 9
MD Men's doubles 1 2 3 6
WD Women's doubles 3 3 12 18
XD Mixed doubles 0 2 3 5
Total 10 9 23 42

List of medalists

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Year Player Category Medal
Sweden 1977 Etsuko Toganoo
Emiko Ueno 		Women's doubles Gold Gold
Hiroe Yuki Women's singles Bronze Bronze
Indonesia 1980 Yoshiko Yonekura
Atsuko Tokuda 		Women's doubles Bronze Bronze
England 2003 Shizuka Yamamoto
Seiko Yamada 		Women's doubles Bronze Bronze
Malaysia 2007 Shuichi Sakamoto
Shintaro Ikeda 		Men's doubles Bronze Bronze
Kumiko Ogura
Reiko Shiota 		Women's doubles Bronze Bronze
England 2011 Miyuki Maeda
Satoko Suetsuna 		Women's doubles Bronze Bronze
Denmark 2014 Minatsu Mitani Women's singles Bronze Bronze
Reika Kakiiwa
Miyuki Maeda 		Women's doubles Bronze Bronze
Indonesia 2015 Kento Momota Men's singles Bronze Bronze
Hiroyuki Endo
Kenichi Hayakawa 		Men's doubles Bronze Bronze
Naoko Fukuman
Kurumi Yonao 		Women's doubles Bronze Bronze
Scotland 2017 Nozomi Okuhara Women's singles Gold Gold
Yuki Fukushima
Sayaka Hirota 		Women's doubles Silver Silver
Takeshi Kamura
Keigo Sonoda 		Men's doubles Bronze Bronze
Misaki Matsutomo
Ayaka Takahashi 		Women's doubles Bronze Bronze
China 2018 Kento Momota Men's singles Gold Gold
Mayu Matsumoto
Wakana Nagahara 		Women's doubles Gold Gold
Takeshi Kamura
Keigo Sonoda 		Men's doubles Silver Silver
Yuki Fukushima
Sayaka Hirota 		Women's doubles Silver Silver
Akane Yamaguchi Women's singles Bronze Bronze
Shiho Tanaka
Koharu Yonemoto 		Women's doubles Bronze Bronze
Year Player Category Medal
Switzerland 2019 Kento Momota Men's singles Gold Gold
Mayu Matsumoto
Wakana Nagahara 		Women's doubles Gold Gold
Nozomi Okuhara Women's singles Silver Silver
Takuro Hoki
Yugo Kobayashi 		Men's doubles Silver Silver
Yuki Fukushima
Sayaka Hirota 		Women's doubles Silver Silver
Yuta Watanabe
Arisa Higashino 		Mixed doubles Bronze Bronze
Spain 2021 Akane Yamaguchi Women's singles Gold Gold
Takuro Hoki
Yugo Kobayashi 		Men's doubles Gold Gold
Yuta Watanabe
Arisa Higashino 		Mixed doubles Silver Silver
Mayu Matsumoto
Wakana Nagahara 		Women's doubles Bronze Bronze
Kyohei Yamashita
Naru Shinoya 		Mixed doubles Bronze Bronze
Japan 2022 Akane Yamaguchi Women's singles Gold Gold
Yuta Watanabe
Arisa Higashino 		Mixed doubles Silver Silver
Mayu Matsumoto
Wakana Nagahara 		Women's doubles Bronze Bronze
Denmark 2023 Kodai Naraoka Men's singles Silver Silver
Akane Yamaguchi Women's singles Bronze Bronze
Yuta Watanabe
Arisa Higashino 		Mixed doubles Bronze Bronze
France 2025 Akane Yamaguchi Women's singles Gold Gold
Rin Iwanaga
Kie Nakanishi 		Women's doubles Bronze Bronze
Nami Matsuyama
Chiharu Shida 		Women's doubles Bronze Bronze

Most successful players

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A list of Japanese players who have won at least two gold medals at the BWF World Championships.

Player Category Total Year
Akane Yamaguchi Women's singles 3 2021, 2022, 2025
Kento Momota Men's singles 2 2018, 2019
Mayu Matsumoto Women's doubles 2 2018, 2019 (with Wakana Nagahara)
Wakana Nagahara Women's doubles 2 2018, 2019 (with Mayu Matsumoto)

Participation in BWF competitions

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**Red border color indicates tournament was held on home soil.

Participation in Badminton Asia Team Championships

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Junior competitive record

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World Junior Championships (Individual)

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Main article: List of BWF World Junior Championships medalists

The World Junior Championships includes individual competitions known as the "Eye-Level Cups". Japanese players have achieved significant success in these events, with Kenichi Tago winning the nation's first medal (silver) in 2007.

Medals table

[edit]
As of 2025 BWF World Junior Championships
World Junior Championships all time medal table-Japan Japan
Events Gold Gold Silver Silver Bronze Bronze Total
BS Boys' singles 1 2 4 7
GS Girls' singles 5 4 8 17
BD Boys' doubles 1 2 4 7
GD Girls' doubles 3 0 6 9
XD Mixed doubles 0 0 3 3
Total 10 8 25 43

List of medalists

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The following table lists the medalists in individual disciplines at the World Junior Championships:

Suhandinata Cup

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See also: BWF World Junior Championships
Year Round Pos
China 2000 Group stage 7th of 24
South Africa 2002 Did not enter
Canada 2004 Group stage 14th of 20
South Korea 2006 Group stage 5th of 28
New Zealand 2007 Group stage 5th of 25
India 2008 Group stage 6th of 21
Malaysia 2009 Group stage 6th of 21
Mexico 2010 Group stage 5th of 24
Taiwan 2011 Group stage 5th of 22
Japan 2012 Runners-up 2nd of 30
Thailand 2013 Fourth place 4th of 30
Malaysia 2014 Semi-finals 3rd of 33
Peru 2015 Fourth place 4th of 39
Spain 2016 Semi-finals 3rd of 52
Indonesia 2017 Semi-finals 3rd of 44
Canada 2018 Semi-finals 3rd of 39
Russia 2019 Semi-finals 3rd of 43
New Zealand 2020 Cancelled because of COVID-19 pandemic
China 2021
Spain 2022 Semi-finals 3rd of 37
United States 2023 Quarter-finals 5th of 38
China 2024 Semi-finals 3rd of 39
India 2025 Semi-finals 3rd of 36

Asian Junior Team Championships

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See also: Badminton Asia Junior Championships

Players

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Current squad

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As of 21 October 2025 [14][15]

Men's team

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Name DoB/Age Ranking of event
MS MD XD
Kodai Naraoka (2001-06-30) 30 June 2001 (age 24) 9 - -
Kenta Nishimoto (1994-08-30) 30 August 1994 (age 31) 13 - -
Yushi Tanaka (1999-10-05) 5 October 1999 (age 26) 19 - -
Koki Watanabe (1999-01-29) 29 January 1999 (age 26) 25 - -
Yudai Okimoto (2005-05-28) 28 May 2005 (age 20) 47 - -
Riki Takei (2003-07-21) 21 July 2003 (age 22) 68 - -
Shogo Ogawa (2001-01-04) 4 January 2001 (age 24) 71 - -
Koo Takahashi (2001-09-20) 20 September 2001 (age 24) 92 - -
Takuro Hoki (1995-08-14) 14 August 1995 (age 30) - 12 -
Yugo Kobayashi (1995-07-10) 10 July 1995 (age 30) - 12 -
Hiroki Midorikawa (2000-05-17) 17 May 2000 (age 25) - 26 8
Kyohei Yamashita (1998-10-12) 12 October 1998 (age 27) - 26 -
Kakeru Kumagai (2002-01-05) 5 January 2002 (age 23) - 32 -
Hiroki Nishi (2003-03-21) 21 March 2003 (age 22) - 32 -
Takumi Nomura (1997-08-07) 7 August 1997 (age 28) - 35 -
Yūichi Shimogami (1998-03-05) 5 March 1998 (age 27) - 35 20
Kenya Mitsuhashi (1997-07-11) 11 July 1997 (age 28) - 40 -
Hiroki Okamura (1998-12-06) 6 December 1998 (age 27) - 40 -
Tori Aizawa (1999-06-29) 29 June 1999 (age 26) - 80 -
Daisuke Sano (2000-06-03) 3 June 2000 (age 25) - 80 -
Shuji Sawada (2007-07-19) 19 July 2007 (age 18) - 289 268
Tsubasa Yoshida (2003-09-23) 23 September 2003 (age 22) - 289 721

Women's team

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Name DoB/Age Ranking of event
WS WD XD
Akane Yamaguchi (1997-06-06) 6 June 1997 (age 28) 3 - -
Tomoka Miyazaki (2006-08-17) 17 August 2006 (age 19) 9 - -
Riko Gunji (2002-07-31) 31 July 2002 (age 23) 26 - -
Natsuki Nidaira (1998-07-12) 12 July 1998 (age 27) 27 - -
Nozomi Okuhara (1995-03-13) 13 March 1995 (age 30) 30 - -
Hina Akechi (2005-03-14) 14 March 2005 (age 20) 34 - -
Kaoru Sugiyama (2003-06-06) 6 June 2003 (age 22) 53 - -
Asuka Takahashi (1999-11-13) 13 November 1999 (age 26) 54 - -
Rin Iwanaga (1999-05-21) 21 May 1999 (age 26) - 6 -
Kie Nakanishi (1995-12-24) 24 December 1995 (age 29) - 6 -
Yuki Fukushima (1993-05-06) 6 May 1993 (age 32) - 7 -
Mayu Matsumoto (1995-08-07) 7 August 1995 (age 30) - 7 -
Nami Matsuyama (1998-06-28) 28 June 1998 (age 27) - 9 -
Chiharu Shida (1997-04-29) 29 April 1997 (age 28) - 9 -
Arisa Igarashi (1996-08-01) 1 August 1996 (age 29) - 23 -
Hinata Suzuki (2002-03-26) 26 March 2002 (age 23) - 39 -
Nao Yamakita (2005-10-30) 30 October 2005 (age 20) - 39 -
Mizuki Otake (2002-02-27) 27 February 2002 (age 23) - 54 -
Miyu Takahashi (2002-05-15) 15 May 2002 (age 23) - 54 -
Natsu Saitō (2000-06-09) 9 June 2000 (age 25) - - 8
Sayaka Hobara (1998-07-30) 30 July 1998 (age 27) - 17 20
Aya Tamaki (2006-10-07) 7 October 2006 (age 19) - 273 268
Rima Sekino (2002-10-29) 29 October 2002 (age 23) - 400 721

Coaching staff

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As of 1 April 2025 [16][17]
Role Name
Head coach Japan Hitoshi Ōhori
Men's single coach Japan Shō Sasaki
Japan Kazumasa Sakai
Women's single coach Japan Takako Ida
Japan Shōji Satō
Men's doubles coach Malaysia Lee Wan Wah
Japan Hiroyuki Endo
Women's doubles coach Japan Kei Nakashima
Japan Mizuki Fujii
Mixed doubles coach Japan Norio Imai
Japan Noriyasu Hirata

Team structure and selection

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The composition of the Japan national team is determined by the Badminton Association of Japan (BAJ). The national squad is divided into three primary categories based on age and performance levels:

  • National Team: The primary squad consisting of approximately 32 players. The quota includes a maximum of 4 players for singles disciplines and 4 pairs for each doubles discipline.[18]
  • U24 National Team: A developmental squad for players who are under 24 years of age (specifically those reaching 24 years old within the fiscal year). The structure mirrors the main National Team with approximately 32 players.[18]
  • Junior National Team: This category is further divided into U19, U17, U15, and U13 squads to nurture younger talent.[18]

Selection criteria

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To be eligible for the National Team, athletes must hold Japanese nationality.[18] Selection for the team is generally based on meeting one of the following criteria established by the BAJ:

  1. Domestic Performance: Winners of the All Japan Championships in singles, doubles, and mixed doubles are automatically selected.
  2. Japan Ranking: Players ranked first in the Japan Ranking released immediately after the All Japan Championships.
  3. International Achievements: Players who have won a medal at the Olympics or a gold medal at the World Championships during the fiscal year.
  4. World Ranking: The highest-ranked Japanese player or pair that is placed within the top 8 of the BWF World Ranking following the All Japan Championships.
  5. Association Recommendation: Players selected by the Strengthening Strategy Headquarters based on a comprehensive evaluation of their performance in major domestic and international tournaments, as well as their future potential.

Selection for the U24 National Team is primarily based on recommendations by the coaching staff, prioritizing players with high future potential who meet the age requirements.[18]

References

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  1. ^ "Olympics: Japan's Watanabe, Higashino win badminton mixed doubles bronze". Kyodo News. 30 July 2021. Archived from the original on 28 August 2025. Retrieved 4 September 2025.
  2. ^ "Olympic Analytics - Medals by Countries". olympanalyt.com. Retrieved 27 July 2025.
  3. ^ Scheele, H. A. E. (August 1977). "Badminton's First World Championships: Danish Players Win Three Titles at Historic Malmo Tournament" (PDF). World Badminton. Archived (PDF) from the original on 24 January 2025. Retrieved 3 September 2025.
  4. ^ "History of the Worlds & Countdown to Copenhagen – Li-Ning BWF World Championships 2014". Badminton World Federation. 15 August 2014. Archived from the original on 9 October 2016. Retrieved 3 September 2025.
  5. ^ Sukumar, Dev (28 August 2017). "Okuhara Prevails in Epic – Singles Finals: TOTAL BWF World Championships 2017". Badminton World Federation. Archived from the original on 19 April 2025. Retrieved 3 September 2025.
  6. ^ "Japan's Nozomi creates history at World Championships". Badminton Asia. 27 August 2017. Archived from the original on 21 April 2025. Retrieved 3 September 2025.
  7. ^ "Momota, Nagahara, Matsumoto become Japan's 1st repeat badminton world champs". Kyodo News. 26 August 2019. Archived from the original on 8 August 2025. Retrieved 3 September 2025.
  8. ^ Sukumar, Dev (19 December 2021). "Breakthrough Titles for Thailand, Japan". Badminton World Federation. Archived from the original on 30 August 2025. Retrieved 3 September 2025.
  9. ^ de Villiers, Ockert (31 August 2025). "BWF World Championships 2025: Yamaguchi Akane overcomes gutsy Chen Yufei for women's singles title". International Olympic Committee. Archived from the original on 31 August 2025. Retrieved 31 August 2025.
  10. ^ "Akane Yamaguchi: "Hard work doesn't always pay off" - 28-year-old's confidence as Japan's first badminton player to become world champion for the third time". Sports Hochi (in Japanese). 1 September 2025. Archived from the original on 1 September 2025. Retrieved 2 September 2025.
  11. ^ BWF: Thomas Cup Archived 2008-04-10 at the Wayback Machine
  12. ^ BWF: Uber Cup Archived 2008-04-10 at the Wayback Machine
  13. ^ BWF: Sudirman Cup Archived 2008-04-10 at the Wayback Machine
  14. ^ "Press Release: Announcement of additional selections for the 2025 Japan National Team (6 June 2025)" (PDF) (in Japanese). Nippon Badminton Association. 6 June 2025. Retrieved 6 June 2025.
  15. ^ "Press Release: Announcement of withdrawal from the 2025 Japan national team (1 July 2025)" (PDF) (in Japanese). Nippon Badminton Association. 1 July 2025. Retrieved 1 July 2025.
  16. ^ "Announcement regarding the 2025 Japan Badminton National Team Staff" (PDF) (in Japanese). Nippon Badminton Association. 25 December 2024. Retrieved 25 December 2024.
  17. ^ "2025 Representative Player" (in Japanese). Nippon Badminton Association. Retrieved 1 April 2025.
  18. ^ a b c d e "2026年日本代表選手選考基準 (2026 Japan Representative Player Selection Criteria)" (PDF) (in Japanese). Nippon Badminton Association. 2024-11-21.
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