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Japan men's national volleyball team facts for kids

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Japan
Flag
Nickname(s) Ryujin Nippon
Association Japan Volleyball Association (JVA)
Confederation AVC
Head coach Laurent Tillie
FIVB ranking 16 (as of September 2014)
Uniforms
Team colours Team colours Team colours
Team colours
　
Home
Team colours Team colours Team colours
Team colours
　
Away
Summer Olympics
Appearances 10 (First in 1964)
Best result Gold medal.svg (1972)
World Championship
Appearances 17 (First in 1960)
Best result Bronze medal world centered-2.svg (1970, 1974)
FIVB World Cup
Appearances 15 (First in 1965)
Best result Simple silver cup.svg (1969, 1977)
Asian Championship
Appearances 22 (First in 1975)
Best result Gold medal asia.svg (1975, 1983, 1987, 1991, 1995, 2005, 2009, 2015, 2017, 2023)
Website www.jva.or.jp/national_team/2024/men_member/

The Japan men's national volleyball team (Japanese: 男子バレーボール日本代表), also called Ryujin Nippon (Japanese: 龍神ニッポン; Lit. trans: Dragon God of Japan), represents Japan in exciting international volleyball competitions. The Japan Volleyball Association (JVA) is in charge of the team. As of September 2024, the team is ranked sixth in the FIVB Senior World Rankings. They even reached second place right before the 2024 Summer Olympics!

Japan's team has a proud history in the Olympic Games. They won a bronze medal at the Tokyo 1964 Olympics, followed by a silver medal at Mexico 1968. Their greatest achievement was winning a gold medal at Munich 1972. After this golden era, the team faced some challenges and did not qualify for three Olympic Games in a row. They returned at Beijing 2008.

More recently, Japan showed great improvement. They reached the Quarterfinals at both the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo and the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, France. They finished seventh in both tournaments, which was their best result since the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona, Spain.

In other big tournaments, Japan has also done well. They earned bronze medals at the FIVB World Championship in 1970 and 1974. They also won silver medals at the 1969 and 1977 FIVB World Cup.

Despite some past difficulties in world leagues, Japan is known as one of the best volleyball teams in Asia. Japan's own SV.League is usually seen as the most important volleyball league on the continent. The national team has won the Asian Championships ten times and the Asian Games eight times.

In the last three years, the team has been very successful in world leagues. They won a bronze medal at the 2023 FIVB Men's Volleyball Nations League and a silver medal at the 2024 tournament. These are their best results in the Nations League since it started in 2017.

Medals and Achievements

This section shows the total medals Japan has won in major volleyball competitions.

Event Gold Silver Bronze Total
Olympic Games 1 1 1 3
World Championship 0 0 2 2
World Cup 0 3 0 3
World Grand Champions Cup 0 0 1 1
Nations League 0 1 1 2
Asian Games 8 2 3 13
Asian Championship 10 4 4 18
Asian Cup 0 1 3 4
Eastern Asian Championship 6 0 4 10
Universiade 3 3 4 10
Goodwill Games 0 0 1 1
Total 28 15 23 66

Tournament Participation

Japan's national team regularly competes in various international tournaments.

World Grand Champions Cup History

Japan has participated in the World Grand Champions Cup several times. Their best result was a bronze medal in 2009. This tournament is no longer held.

Asian Cup History

In the Asian Cup, Japan has achieved a silver medal in 2022. They also won bronze medals in 2012, 2016, and 2018. This competition is no longer held.

Recent Matches

The Japan national team played in the 2025 FIVB Men's Volleyball Nations League in June and July 2025. They competed in matches held in Xi'an, China, Burgas, Bulgaria, and Chiba, Japan. The team is also set to play in the 2025 FIVB Men's Volleyball World Championship in September 2025 in Quezon City, Philippines.

Meet the Team

This section introduces the current players and coaches of the Japan men's national volleyball team.

Current Squad Members

The following players are part of the Japanese team, as announced by the Japan Volleyball Association.
Head coach: France Laurent Tillie

No. Name Position Date of birth Height Weight Spike Block 2024–25 club
1 Nishida, YujiYuji Nishida OP (2000-01-30) January 30, 2000 (age 25) 1.86 m (6 ft 1 in) 87 kg (192 lb) 346 cm (136 in) 330 cm (130 in) Japan Osaka Bluteon
2 Onodera, TaishiTaishi Onodera MB (1996-02-27) February 27, 1996 (age 29) 2.02 m (6 ft 8 in) 94 kg (207 lb) 343 cm (135 in) 330 cm (130 in) Japan Suntory Sunbirds
3 Fukatsu, HideomiHideomi Fukatsu S (1990-06-01) June 1, 1990 (age 35) 1.81 m (5 ft 11 in) 70 kg (150 lb) 325 cm (128 in) 305 cm (120 in) Japan Wolfdogs Nagoya
4 Miyaura, KentoKento Miyaura OP (1999-02-22) February 22, 1999 (age 26) 1.90 m (6 ft 3 in) 87 kg (192 lb) 347 cm (137 in) 320 cm (130 in) Japan JTEKT Stings
5 Otsuka, TatsunoriTatsunori Otsuka OH (2000-11-05) November 5, 2000 (age 24) 1.95 m (6 ft 5 in) 90 kg (200 lb) 340 cm (130 in) 325 cm (128 in) Italy Power Volley Milano
6 Yamauchi, AkihiroAkihiro Yamauchi MB (1993-11-30) November 30, 1993 (age 31) 2.04 m (6 ft 8 in) 85 kg (187 lb) 354 cm (139 in) 335 cm (132 in) Japan Osaka Bluteon
7 Arai, YudaiYudai Arai OH (1998-06-27) June 27, 1998 (age 27) 1.88 m (6 ft 2 in) 85 kg (187 lb) 352 cm (139 in) 320 cm (130 in) Japan Hiroshima Thunders
8 Sekita, MasahiroMasahiro Sekita S (1993-11-20) November 20, 1993 (age 31) 1.75 m (5 ft 9 in) 72 kg (159 lb) 324 cm (128 in) 320 cm (130 in) Japan JTEKT Stings
9 Oya, MasakiMasaki Oya S (1995-04-23) April 23, 1995 (age 30) 1.77 m (5 ft 10 in) 77 kg (170 lb) 330 cm (130 in) 315 cm (124 in) Japan Suntory Sunbirds
10 Takahashi, KentaroKentaro Takahashi MB (1995-02-08) February 8, 1995 (age 30) 2.01 m (6 ft 7 in) 93 kg (205 lb) 361 cm (142 in) 350 cm (140 in) Japan JTEKT Stings
11 Tomita, ShomaShoma Tomita OH (1997-06-20) June 20, 1997 (age 28) 1.90 m (6 ft 3 in) 80 kg (180 lb) 342 cm (135 in) 320 cm (130 in) Japan Osaka Bluteon
12 Takahashi, RanRan Takahashi OH (2001-09-02) September 2, 2001 (age 23) 1.88 m (6 ft 2 in) 72 kg (159 lb) 343 cm (135 in) 315 cm (124 in) Japan Suntory Sunbirds
13 Ogawa, TomohiroTomohiro Ogawa L (1996-07-04) July 4, 1996 (age 29) 1.76 m (5 ft 9 in) 67 kg (148 lb) 312 cm (123 in) 290 cm (110 in) Japan JTEKT Stings
14 Ishikawa, YūkiYūki Ishikawa (c) OH (1995-12-11) December 11, 1995 (age 29) 1.92 m (6 ft 4 in) 84 kg (185 lb) 351 cm (138 in) 327 cm (129 in) Italy Sir Safety Umbria Volley
15 Kai, MasatoMasato Kai OH (2003-09-25) September 25, 2003 (age 21) 2.00 m (6 ft 7 in) 79 kg (174 lb) 352 cm (139 in) 330 cm (130 in) Japan Osaka Bluteon
16 Murayama, GoGo Murayama MB (1998-07-30) July 30, 1998 (age 27) 1.92 m (6 ft 4 in) 83 kg (183 lb) 341 cm (134 in) 317 cm (125 in) Japan JTEKT Stings
17 Nishimoto, KeigoKeigo Nishimoto MB (1998-10-27) October 27, 1998 (age 26) 1.89 m (6 ft 2 in) 93 kg (205 lb) 355 cm (140 in) 325 cm (128 in) Japan Toray Arrows
18 Nishiyama, HirotoHiroto Nishiyama OP (2003-03-04) March 4, 2003 (age 22) 1.93 m (6 ft 4 in) 71 kg (157 lb) 355 cm (140 in) 330 cm (130 in) Japan Osaka Bluteon
19 Takahashi, KazuyukiKazuyuki Takahashi L (2000-01-26) January 26, 2000 (age 25) 1.70 m (5 ft 7 in) 62 kg (137 lb) 310 cm (120 in) 285 cm (112 in) Japan JTEKT Stings
20 Yamamoto, TomohiroTomohiro Yamamoto L (1994-11-05) November 5, 1994 (age 30) 1.71 m (5 ft 7 in) 69 kg (152 lb) 301 cm (119 in) 299 cm (118 in) Japan Osaka Bluteon
21 Eiro, MotokiMotoki Eiro S (1996-06-08) June 8, 1996 (age 29) 1.92 m (6 ft 4 in) 80 kg (180 lb) 330 cm (130 in) 320 cm (130 in) Japan Osaka Bluteon
22 Fujinaka, SoshiSoshi Fujinaka L (1999-12-02) December 2, 1999 (age 25) 1.78 m (5 ft 10 in) 64 kg (141 lb) 325 cm (128 in) 305 cm (120 in) Japan Suntory Sunbirds
23 Evbade-Dan, LarryLarry Evbade-Dan MB (2000-08-18) August 18, 2000 (age 24) 1.95 m (6 ft 5 in) 81 kg (179 lb) 350 cm (140 in) 333 cm (131 in) Japan Osaka Bluteon
24 Takahashi, KeihanKeihan Takahashi OP (2003-10-13) October 13, 2003 (age 21) 1.94 m (6 ft 4 in) 78 kg (172 lb) 350 cm (140 in) 325 cm (128 in) France Paris Volley
25 Shimokawa, RyoRyo Shimokawa S (2000-01-12) January 12, 2000 (age 25) 1.78 m (5 ft 10 in) 65 kg (143 lb) 320 cm (130 in) 305 cm (120 in) Japan Suntory Sunbirds
26 Yamazaki, AkitoAkito Yamazaki OH (1997-10-16) October 16, 1997 (age 27) 1.90 m (6 ft 3 in) 75 kg (165 lb) 345 cm (136 in) 327 cm (129 in) Japan Wolfdogs Nagoya
27 Tarumi, YugaYuga Tarumi OH (2000-11-02) November 2, 2000 (age 24) 1.87 m (6 ft 2 in) 79 kg (174 lb) 350 cm (140 in) 000 cm (0 in) Italy Cisterna Volley
28 Asano, KentoKento Asano MB (2004-12-24) December 24, 2004 (age 20) 2.07 m (6 ft 9 in) 93 kg (205 lb) 345 cm (136 in) 000 cm (0 in) Japan Waseda University
29 Miwa, HiromasaHiromasa Miwa MB (1999-12-17) December 17, 1999 (age 25) 1.92 m (6 ft 4 in) 80 kg (180 lb) 343 cm (135 in) 315 cm (124 in) Japan Hiroshima Thunders
30 Nishikawa, KeitaroKeitaro Nishikawa MB (2000-04-14) April 14, 2000 (age 25) 1.95 m (6 ft 5 in) 83 kg (183 lb) 350 cm (140 in) 000 cm (0 in) Japan Osaka Bluteon
31 Imahashi, YukiYuki Imahashi S (2000-12-25) December 25, 2000 (age 24) 1.82 m (6 ft 0 in) 77 kg (170 lb) 325 cm (128 in) 000 cm (0 in) Japan Tokyo Great Bears
32 Sato, ShunichiroShunichiro Sato MB (2000-05-17) May 17, 2000 (age 25) 2.05 m (6 ft 9 in) 94 kg (207 lb) 352 cm (139 in) 323 cm (127 in) Finland Hurrikaani Loimaa
33 Takaki, KeishiroKeishiro Takaki L (2001-09-03) September 3, 2001 (age 23) 1.71 m (5 ft 7 in) 70 kg (150 lb) 310 cm (120 in) 280 cm (110 in) Japan Hiroshima Thunders
34 Goto, RikutoRikuto Goto OH (2001-05-13) May 13, 2001 (age 24) 1.87 m (6 ft 2 in) 79 kg (174 lb) 335 cm (132 in) 000 cm (0 in) Japan Tokyo Great Bears
35 Kudo, YujiYuji Kudo OH (2001-09-24) September 24, 2001 (age 23) 1.90 m (6 ft 3 in) 80 kg (180 lb) 335 cm (132 in) 000 cm (0 in) Japan VC Nagano Tridents
36 Mizumachi, TaitoTaito Mizumachi OH (2001-09-07) September 7, 2001 (age 23) 1.81 m (5 ft 11 in) 72 kg (159 lb) 340 cm (130 in) 320 cm (130 in) Japan Wolfdogs Nagoya
37 Ito, RikuRiku Ito MB (2001-11-14) November 14, 2001 (age 23) 1.95 m (6 ft 5 in) 100 kg (220 lb) 332 cm (131 in) 315 cm (124 in) Japan Tokyo Great Bears
38 Yamada, DaikiDaiki Yamada OP/OH (2001-08-07) August 7, 2001 (age 24) 1.91 m (6 ft 3 in) 81 kg (179 lb) 345 cm (136 in) 315 cm (124 in) Japan Toray Arrows
39 Maki, HiroakiHiroaki Maki OP/OH (2003-11-02) November 2, 2003 (age 21) 2.10 m (6 ft 11 in) 105 kg (231 lb) 355 cm (140 in) 000 cm (0 in) Japan University of Tsukuba
40 Takematsu, KaisyuKaisyu Takematsu S (2005-12-31) December 31, 2005 (age 19) 1.85 m (6 ft 1 in) 00 kg (0 lb) 000 cm (0 in) 000 cm (0 in) Japan Kokushikan University
41 Kawano, TakumaTakuma Kawano OH (2006-07-25) July 25, 2006 (age 19) 1.97 m (6 ft 6 in) 74 kg (163 lb) 344 cm (135 in) 000 cm (0 in) Japan Tokyo Great Bears
42 Mori, AikiAiki Mori L (1998-04-19) April 19, 1998 (age 27) 1.70 m (5 ft 7 in) 65 kg (143 lb) 315 cm (124 in) 300 cm (120 in) Japan Sakai Blazers
43 Yasui, KosukeKosuke Yasui OH (2000-12-08) December 8, 2000 (age 24) 1.89 m (6 ft 2 in) 87 kg (192 lb) 346 cm (136 in) 330 cm (130 in) Japan Sakai Blazers
44 Yamamoto, RyuRyu Yamamoto S (2000-09-23) September 23, 2000 (age 24) 1.85 m (6 ft 1 in) 85 kg (187 lb) 330 cm (130 in) 315 cm (124 in) Italy Prisma Volley

Coaching History

Here is a list of the head coaches for the Japan men's national volleyball team since 1965:

  • Japan Yasutaka Matsudaira (1965–1972)
  • Japan Tsutomu Koyama (1973–1976)
  • Japan Yūzo Nakamura (1977–1980)
  • Japan Naohiro Ikeda (1980–1984)
  • Japan Masaru Saito (1984–1986)
  • Japan Tsutomu Koyama (1986–1988)
  • Japan Masayuki Minami (1989–1990)
  • Japan Seiji Oko (1991–1995)
  • Japan Shinichiro Tsujiai (1996–1997)
  • Japan Futoshi Teramawari (1997–2000)
  • Japan Mikiyasu Tanaka (2001–2004)
  • Japan Tatsuya Ueta (2005–2013)
  • United States Gary Sato (2013–2014)
  • Japan Masashi Nambu (2014–2016)
  • Japan Yuichi Nakagaichi (2016–2021)
  • France Philippe Blain (2021–2024)
  • France Laurent Tillie (2024–)

Team Gear and Support

This section talks about the companies that provide gear and support for the team.

Kit Providers

The table below shows the history of companies that have provided uniforms and sports gear for the Japan national volleyball team.

Period Kit provider
2000– Asics

Sponsorship

Many companies support the team. Main sponsors include Shiseido. Other important sponsors are Japanet, Molten, All Nippon Airways, Suntory, JTEKT, Nisshin Steel, Nippon Life, Marudai, Mizuno, Meiji Seika, Descente, Mikasa, and Hisamitsu Pharmaceutical.

Home Venues

The main places where the Japan national team trains and plays their home matches are the Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium and Yoyogi National Gymnasium.

Media Coverage

You can watch Japan's volleyball matches and friendly games on TV channels like Nippon TV, GAORA, and NHK.

Images for kids

  • Volleyball WC 2006 Japan flag

    Japan national team fans at the 2010 World Championship

  • Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium front doors

    The front entrance of the Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Selección masculina de voleibol de Japón para niños

  • Volleyball
  • Japan women's national volleyball team
  • Japan men's national under-19 volleyball team
  • Japan men's national under-21 volleyball team
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