The Japan women's national softball team is the national team of Japan in international softball competitions. It is governed by the Japan Softball Association. They are currently ranked #2 in the world by the International Softball Federation. In four Olympic Games, since 1996 until 2008, Japan has won one gold medal, a silver medal and a bronze medal. In the top four nations at the Olympics, Japan is the second most successful national team (winning three medals), following the United States (four medals, three gold and a silver), and beating out Australia (also four medals out of which three were bronze and one silver) and China with one silver medal. After winning the gold medal at the 2008 Summer Olympics, the Japanese national team was defeated by the United States team at the XII Women's Softball World Championship in Caracas, Venezuela.
Japan | |
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Information | |
Country | Japan |
Federation | Japan Softball Association |
Confederation | Softball Confederation of Asia |
Manager | Reika Utsugi |
WBSC World Rank | 2nd |
Women's Softball World Cup | |
Appearances | 15 (First in 1965) |
Best result | 1st (3 times, most recent in 2014) |
USA Softball International Cup | |
Appearances | 11 (First in 2005) |
Best result | 1st (4 times, most recent in 2017) |
Olympic Games | |
Appearances | 5 (First in 1996) |
Best result | 1st (2 times, most recent in 2020) |
Asian Championship | |
Appearances | 10 (First in 1967) |
Best result | 1st (6 times, most recent in 2017) |
Asian Games | |
Appearances | 9 (First in 1990) |
Best result | 1st (6 times, most recent in 2022) |
The roster was released on 23 March 2021.[1][2]
Softball at the 2020 Summer Olympics – Japan roster | ||||
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Players | Coaches | |||
Pitchers
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Catchers
Infielders
Outfielders
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Manager Coaches
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On July 20, 2021, Japan won the initial game, which was against Australia; the result was 8:0. The game took place in Sabara, Fukushima.[4]
The International Olympic Committee decided that softball and baseball should not be included in the 2016 Summer Olympics. Still, fast pitch softball tournaments are organized all over the World, and they provide the opportunity for the National teams to compete at the highest level players can attain. The Japan Softball Association holds the Japan Softball Cup, and other competitions include the World Cup of Softball and the International Softball Federation Women's World Championship.[5]
Hays, Jeff. (2010) "America football, Basketball, and Team Sports in Japan". Facts and Details. March 2010. Retrieved 4 August 2010 from FactsandDetails.com:https://web.archive.org/web/20120227041840/http://factsanddetails.com/japan.php?itemid=765&catid=21&subcatid=140