Japan have officially announced their 15-player women’s squad for the 2026 Asian Games, which will be held in Nisshin City, Aichi Prefecture, this September. The squad has been approved by the Japan Olympic Committee after being selected by the Japan National Selection Panel. The tournament will give Japan another opportunity to compete against some of the strongest women’s cricket teams in Asia. The players will now begin their final preparations before travelling for one of the biggest events on their international calendar.
The announcement comes shortly after the official draw for the women’s cricket competition was held on Thursday, July 23, 2026. The draw confirmed that Japan have been placed against India in the quarter-finals. It will be a tough opening challenge because India are one of the strongest teams in women’s cricket and regularly perform well in major international tournaments. The dates and timings for the quarter-final fixture are expected to be confirmed by the organisers in the coming days.
Japan have selected a balanced squad that combines experienced players with several talented cricketers who have impressed in recent years. The selectors have rewarded players who have consistently performed for the national team and in domestic cricket. They will now have the chance to represent their country on one of the biggest sporting stages in Asia. The team management will be hoping that this group can continue the steady progress Japanese women’s cricket has made over the last few seasons.
The squad will be led by Mai Yanagida, who has been appointed captain for the tournament. Yanagida is one of the most experienced players in Japanese women’s cricket and will play an important role both on and off the field. Her leadership will be valuable as Japan prepare to face strong opposition throughout the competition. She will also be responsible for guiding several younger players who will be playing in their first Asian Games.
One of the biggest positives for Japan is the return of two players with previous Asian Games experience. Mai Yanagida and Kurumi Ota were both part of the Japanese women’s team that competed at the 2014 Asian Games in Incheon, South Korea. Their experience of playing in a major multi-sport event will be very useful for the rest of the squad. They understand the pressure and expectations that come with representing Japan on such a big stage.
Japan Women’s Squad for Asian Games 2026:
Mai Yanagida (C), Ahilya Chandel, Ayumi Fujikawa, Hinase Goto, Haruna Iwasaki, Shimako Kato, Ayaka Kato, Elena Kusuda, Akari Nishimura, Erika Oda, Meg Ogawa, Kurumi Ota, Seika Sumi, Erika Toguchi, Nonoha Yasumoto
Japan have also confirmed the coaching and support staff for the Asian Games campaign. Vinay Iyer will lead the team as head coach, while Sota Wada has been appointed as the team manager. Manami Hoshi will travel with the squad as the trainer, looking after the players’ fitness and recovery throughout the tournament. The support staff will work closely together to ensure the players are fully prepared for every match.
The Asian Games remain one of the biggest sporting events in the region and provide an excellent platform for teams to test themselves against high-quality opposition. For Japan, the competition is another important step in the continued development of women’s cricket in the country. Although they face a difficult opening match against India, the team will be eager to compete well and gain valuable experience.
With an experienced captain, two former Asian Games players and a talented group of cricketers, Japan will hope to make a positive impression and proudly represent their country throughout the 2026 Asian Games.
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