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Japan women's national football team facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts
This page is about the women's team. For the men's team, see Japan national football team.
Quick facts for kids
Japan
Shirt badge/Association crest
Nickname(s) なでしこジャパン (Nadeshiko Japan)
Association Japan Football Association
Confederation AFC (Asia)
Sub-confederation EAFF (East Asia)
Head coach Futoshi Ikeda
Captain Saki Kumagai
Most caps Homare Sawa (205)
Top scorer Homare Sawa (83)
FIFA code JPN
First colours
Second colours
FIFA ranking
Current 8 Decrease 1 (7 December 2018)
Highest 3 (December 2011)
Lowest 14 (July 2003)
First international
Flag of Chinese Taipei (Olympics; 1986–2010).svg Chinese Taipei 1–0 Japan 
(Hong Kong; 7 June 1981)
Biggest win
Flag of Japan (1870-1999).svg Japan 21–0 Guam 
(Guangzhou, China; 5 December 1997)
Biggest defeat
Flag of Italy.svg Italy 9–0 Japan 
(Tokyo, Japan; 9 September 1981)
Flag of the United States.svg United States 9–0 Japan 
(Charlotte, United States; 29 April 1999)
World Cup
Appearances 9 (first in 1991)
Best result Champions (2011)
Olympic Games
Appearances 5 (first in 1996)
Best result Runners-up (2012)
Asian Cup
Appearances 17 (first in 1977)
Best result Champions (2014, 2018)
Medal record
World Cup
Gold 2011 Germany Team
Silver 2015 Canada Team
Olympic Games
Silver 2012 London Team
Asian Cup
Gold 2014 Vietnam Team
Gold 2018 Jordan Team
Silver 1986 Hong Kong Team
Silver 1991 Japan Team
Silver 1995 Malaysia Team
Silver 2001 Chinese Taipei Team
Bronze 1989 Hong Kong Team
Bronze 1993 Malaysia Team
Bronze 1997 China Team
Bronze 2008 Vietnam Team
Bronze 2010 China Team
Bronze 2022 India Team
Asian Games
Gold 2010 Guangzhou Team
Gold 2018 Jakarta-Palembang Team
Silver 1990 Beijing Team
Silver 1994 Hiroshima Team
Silver 2006 Doha Team
Silver 2014 Incheon Team
Bronze 1998 Bangkok Team
Bronze 2002 Busan Team

The Japan women's national football team (Japanese: サッカー日本女子代表, Hepburn: Sakkā Nippon Joshi Daihyō), or nicknamed Nadeshiko Japan (なでしこジャパン), represents Japan in women's association football and is run by the Japan Football Association (JFA). It is the most successful women's national team from the Asian Football Confederation. Its highest ranking in the FIFA Women's World Rankings is 3rd, achieved in December 2011.

Nadeshiko Japan defeated the United States in the 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup Final, thus claiming their first FIFA Women's World Cup title, becoming the first Asian team to do so and only the fourth women's world champions. It won silver medals at the 2012 Summer Olympics and the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup, making it the only Asian team to have three combined medals from international championships. It also won gold medals at the 2014 and 2018 AFC Women's Asian Cups, the 2010 and 2018 Asian Games, and the 2008, 2010, and 2019 EAFF Football Championships.

History

1970s and 1980s

During the 1970s, the number of women football players and teams increased in Japan, and teams made up regional leagues in various parts of Japan. In 1977, the Japan team participated its first international tournament, 1977 AFC Women's Championship. But, this Japan team was not a national team, Japan Football Association dispatched club team, FC Jinnan as a Japan team. In 1980, "All-Japan Women's Football Championship" was held. In 1981, Japan Football Association formed first national team for 1981 AFC Women's Championship and Seiki Ichihara managed as first Japan national team manager. The first match against Chinese Taipei on 7 June at this tournament is the first match for Japan national team history. In 1984, national team was formed for the first time in three years for a China expedition, and Takao Orii managed national team.

In January 1986, Ryohei Suzuki became first full-time manager for national team. In December, Japan won the 2nd place at 1986 AFC Women's Championship. In 1989, the "Japan Women's Football League" (abbreviated to "L. League") was established, and the women's national team qualified for the "1991 FIFA Women's World Cup" in China.

Verge of decline

Japan women's national football team attended various championship tournaments such as the 1996 Summer Olympics and the 1995 FIFA Women's World Cup which had made the national team and the L.League very popular. However, in 1999, Japan failed to qualify for the 2000 Summer Olympics, and this helped to cause with economic stagnation (Lost Decade) the withdrawal of a series of teams from the L. League. Japanese women's football was on the verge of decline.

Regeneration

In August 2002, the Japan Football Association appointed Eiji Ueda, who had been coach for the Macau national football team, as the new head coach. Officials expected a revitalization of women's football and planned a team reorganization, aiming for the 2004 Summer Olympics. The team at first went through a losing streak, but Ueda gradually improved the team, and it eventually gained wide support in Japan. In particular, a game against Korea DPR, which decided who would participate in the 2004 Olympics, not only made fans rush to the National Stadium but also was widely watched on TV.

Following the increase in public interest in women's football in Japan, the JFA organized a public contest to select a nickname for the team. "Nadeshiko Japan" was chosen from among about 2,700 entries and was announced on 7 July 2004. "Nadeshiko", a kind of dianthus, comes from the phrase "Yamato Nadeshiko" (大和撫子, "ideal Japanese woman").

2003 and 2007 World Cup

Japan was dropped with Germany, Canada and Argentina during 2003 FIFA Women's World Cup. Beginning by a 6–0 thrash to newcomer Argentina, but later Japan fell on 0–3 loss to later champion Germany, and 1–3 to Canada, who later won 4th place.

Again, in 2007 FIFA Women's World Cup held in China, they again faced Germany, Argentina and England. They started with a 2–2 draw over England, before beating Argentina 1–0 after 90'. But a 0–2 loss over reigning champion Germany again eliminated Japan from the group stage. Japan's disappointing campaign through two decisive Women's World Cup would not have expected to lead to a 2011 triumph.

Golden Period

2011 World Cup

Seleção japonesa agradece o apoio da torcida (DSC01105)
The Japan team thanking fans for their support for the humanitarian response to the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami after their World Cup win

Japan qualified for the finals by finishing third in the 2010 AFC Women's Asian Cup. After finishing second in their group behind England, Japan beat two-time defending champion and host nation Germany 1–0 in the quarterfinals, before easily defeating Sweden 3–1 to reach the final.

After the final game finished 2–2 after extra time, Japan beat the United States 3–1 in a penalty shootout, becoming the first Asian team to win the FIFA Women's World Cup, and the first Asian team to win a senior FIFA title. It came right after men's team won the 2011 AFC Asian Cup, marked their most successful year in Japanese football.

2012 Summer Olympics

Japan qualified for the 2012 Summer Olympics by finishing first in the Asian qualifier in September 2011, only 6 weeks after winning the Women's World Cup. At the Olympics, after finishing second in their group behind Sweden, Nadeshiko Japan defeated Brazil 2–0 in the quarterfinals, followed by a 2–1 victory over France, whom Nadeshiko had lost to in a friendly match right before the Olympics, to reach the final.

In a rematch of the World Cup final, Japan was defeated in the Olympic final by a score of 1–2 against the United States, allowing two goals to Carli Lloyd in the 8th and 54th minutes. Yūki Ōgimi scored the lone goal for Japan.

Nadeshiko
Nadeshiko, 2013

2014 Asian Cup

Despite having won a FIFA Women's World Cup in 2011, Japan entered the 2014 Asian Cup having never previously won the tournament. They were drawn with Asia's Queen Australia, host Vietnam and newcomer Jordan. Their first match in the group stage of the tournament resulted in a 2–2 draw against the defending champion Australia. Also in the group stage, Japan upset host Vietnam by a 4–0 win before defeating Jordan with a 7–0 win to finish first with a higher goal difference.

In the semi-final, Japan beat eight-time champions China 2–1 after 120'. In the final, they met Australia once again and successfully earned a 1–0 win with Azusa Iwashimizu's goal. This marked the first time for Japan to become "Queen of Asia". They became the first Asian team to subsequently win both the FIFA Women's World Cup and AFC Women's Asian Cup. Because of their top placement in the tournament, Japan, Australia, China, South Korea and newcomer Thailand secured their spot at the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup to be played in Canada the following year.

2015 World Cup

Here they come (19619476868)
The national teams of Japan and the United States at the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup

Japan, then fourth in the world, was drawn into Group C for the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup, with tournament debutants Ecuador, Switzerland, and Cameroon. Japan won all three games, securing passage into the Round of 16, where they drew yet another tournament debutant in the Netherlands. Saori Ariyoshi and Mizuho Sakaguchi scored goals for Japan, and they ultimately survived a couple of nervy moments to get into the quarterfinals. Against Australia, Japan once again used their technical possession game to frustrate The Matildas and negate their speed. Mana Iwabuchi notched the only goal of the game three minutes from time to send Japan to the semifinals.

Against England in the semifinals, Nadeshiko Japan was able to survive against the tenacious Lionesses, as the two teams traded goals from the penalty spot (Aya Miyama for Japan, Fara Williams for England). Deadlocked from the 40th minute on, Japan got a truly fortunate break as English centre back Laura Bassett, in trying to clear out a Japan cross, ended up scoring an own-goal at the death. This set up a rematch with the United States from the 2011 Women's World Cup.

Unfortunately for Japan, the Americans came out flying and scored four goals in the first 16 minutes of the match, with American midfielder Carli Lloyd scoring a hat trick in the process. Yuki Ogimi brought Japan one back in the 27th minute, and an own goal from Julie Johnston halved the American lead, but Tobin Heath put the final touch on the United States' third Women's World Cup victory.

Team image

Nicknames

The Japan women's national football team has been known or nicknamed as the "Nadeshiko Japan".

Home stadium

Main page: List of football stadiums in Japan
See also: Category:Football venues in Japan

Japan play its home matches among various stadiums, in rotation, around the country.

Rivalries

South Korea

Main page: Japan–South Korea football rivalry#Women's

The Japan and South Korea national football teams are sporting rivals.

Australia

Main page: Australia–Japan football rivalry

The Japan and Australia national soccer teams are AFC's rivals.

United States

Main page: Japan–United States women's soccer rivalry

The Japan and United States are sporting rivals.

FIFA World Ranking

, after the match against Flag of Serbia.svg Serbia.

     Best Ranking       Best Mover       Worst Ranking       Worst Mover  

Japan's FIFA World Ranking History
Rank Year Games
Played		 Won Lost Drawn Best Worst
Rank Move Rank Move
8 Decrease 1 (7 December 2018) 2022 8 4 1 3 13 Steady 13 Steady
13 2021 11 6 3 2 10 Increase1 13
(10 December)		 Decrease3

Overall competitive record

  • All results list Japan goal tally first.
  • Goal scorers are sorted alphabetically.
  • Colors gold, silver, and bronze indicate first-, second-, and third-place finishes.

Overall record

Competition Stage Result Opponent Position Scorers
Hong Kong 1981 Asian Championship Round 1 0–1 Chinese Taipei Chinese Taipei 3 / 4
0–2 Thailand Thailand
1–0 Indonesia Indonesia Handa
Hong Kong 1986 Asian Championship Round 1 0–2 China China 2 / 3
10–0 Malaysia Malaysia Takakura (2), Nagamine (4), Kioka (2), Tezuka, Matsuda
Semifinals 4–0 Thailand Thailand Kioka, Nagamine, Noda, Matsuda
Final 0–2 China China
Hong Kong 1989 Asian Championship Round 1 3–0 Hong Kong Hong Kong 1 / 4
11–0 Indonesia Indonesia
14–0 Nepal Nepal
Semifinals 0–1 Chinese Taipei Chinese Taipei
Third place 9–0 Hong Kong Hong Kong
China 1990 Asian Games Main Round 0–5 China China
5–0 Hong Kong Hong Kong
8–1 South Korea South Korea
1–1 North Korea North Korea
3–1 Chinese Taipei Chinese Taipei 2 / 6
Hong Kong 1991 Asian Championship Round 1 1–0 North Korea North Korea 1 / 5
4–1 Hong Kong Hong Kong
12–0 Malaysia Malaysia
12–0 Singapore Singapore
Semifinals 0–0 (PSO: 5–4) Chinese Taipei Chinese Taipei
Final 0–5 China China
China 1991 World Cup Round 1 0–1 Brazil Brazil 4 / 4
0–8 Sweden Sweden
0–3 United States United States
Malaysia 1993 Asian Championship Round 1 6–1 Chinese Taipei Chinese Taipei 1 / 4
15–0 Philippines Philippines
4–0 Hong Kong Hong Kong
Semifinals 1–3 China China
Final 3–0 Chinese Taipei Chinese Taipei
China 1994 Asian Games Round 1 1–1 China China 2 / 4
3–0 Chinese Taipei Chinese Taipei
5–0 South Korea South Korea
Final 0–2 China China
Sweden 1995 World Cup Round 1 0–1 Germany Germany 3 / 4
2–1 Brazil Brazil
0–2 Sweden Sweden
Quarterfinals 0–4 United States United States
Malaysia 1995 Asian Championship Round 1 1–0 South Korea South Korea 1 / 4
6–0 India India
17–0 Uzbekistan Uzbekistan
Semifinals 3–0 Chinese Taipei Chinese Taipei
Final 0–2 China China
United States 1996 Summer Olympics Round 1 2–3 Germany Germany 4 / 4
0–2 Brazil Brazil
0–4 Norway Norway
China 1997 Asian Championship Round 1 21–0 Guam Guam 1 / 4
1–0 India India
9–0 Hong Kong Hong Kong
Semifinals 0–1 North Korea North Korea
Third place 2–0 Chinese Taipei Chinese Taipei
China 1998 Asian Games Round 1 6–0 Thailand Thailand 2 / 4
2–3 North Korea North Korea
8–0 Vietnam Vietnam
Semifinals 0–3 China China
Third place 2–1 Chinese Taipei Chinese Taipei
United States 1999 World Cup Round 1 1–1 Canada Canada 4 / 4
0–5 Russia Russia
0–4 Norway Norway
Philippines 1999 Asian Championship Round 1 9–0 Thailand Thailand 1 / 5
5–1 Uzbekistan Uzbekistan
14–0 Nepal Nepal
6–0 Philippines Philippines
Semifinals 0–2 Chinese Taipei Chinese Taipei
Third place 2–3 North Korea North Korea
Chinese Taipei 2001 Asian Championship Round 1 14–0 Singapore Singapore 2 / 5
11–0 Guam Guam
0–1 North Korea North Korea
3–1 Vietnam Vietnam
Semifinals 2–1 South Korea South Korea
Final 0–2 North Korea North Korea
Chinese Taipei 2002 Asian Games Main round 0–1 North Korea North Korea
3–0 Vietnam Vietnam
1–0 South Korea South Korea
2–2 China China
2–0 Chinese Taipei Chinese Taipei 3 / 6
Thailand 2003 Asian Championship Round 1 15–0 Philippines Philippines 1 / 5
7–0 Guam Guam
7–0 Myanmar Myanmar
5–0 Chinese Taipei Chinese Taipei
Semifinals 0–3 North Korea North Korea
Third place 0–1 South Korea South Korea
United States 2003 World Cup Round 1 6–0 Argentina Argentina 3 / 4
0–3 Germany Germany
1–3 Canada Canada
Greece 2004 Summer Olympics Round 1 1–0 Sweden Sweden 3 / 3
0–1 Nigeria Nigeria
Quarterfinals 1–2 United States United States Awarded the Fair Play Award
South Korea 2005 East Asian Championship Main Round 0–1 North Korea North Korea
0–0 China China
0–0 South Korea South Korea 3 / 4 Awarded the Fair Play Award
Qatar 2006 Asian Games Round 1 13–0 Jordan Jordan 1 / 4
4–0 Thailand Thailand
1–0 China China
Semifinals 3–1 South Korea South Korea
Final 0–0 (PSO: 2–4) North Korea South Korea
Australia 2006 Asian Championship Round 1 5–0 Vietnam Vietnam 1 / 4
11–1 Chinese Taipei Chinese Taipei
1–0 China China
Semifinals 0–2 Australia Australia
Third place 2–3 North Korea North Korea
China 2007 World Cup Round 1 2–2 England England 3 / 4
1–0 Argentina Argentina
0–2 Germany Germany
China 2008 East Asian Championship Main Round 3–2 North Korea North Korea
2–0 South Korea South Korea
3–0 China China 1 / 4
Vietnam 2008 Asian Cup Round 1 1–3 South Korea South Korea 1 / 4
11–0 Chinese Taipei Chinese Taipei
3–1 Australia Australia
Semifinals 1–3 China China
Third place 3–0 Australia Australia
2008 Summer Olympics qualification Final round 2–0 Vietnam Vietnam 1 / 4
4–0 Thailand Thailand
6–1 South Korea South Korea
China 2008 Summer Olympics Round 1 2–2 New Zealand New Zealand 3 / 4
0–1 United States United States
5–1 Norway Norway
Quarterfinals 2–0 China China
Semifinals 2–4 United States United States
Third place 0–2 Germany Germany
Japan 2010 East Asian Championship Round 1 2–0 China China
3–0 Chinese Taipei Chinese Taipei
2–1 South Korea South Korea 1 / 4
China 2010 Asian Cup Round 1 8–0 Myanmar Myanmar 1 / 4
4–0 Thailand Thailand
2–1 North Korea North Korea
Semifinals 0–1 Australia Australia
Third place 2–0 China China
China 2010 Asian Games Round 1 4–0 Thailand Thailand 1 / 3
0–0 North Korea North Korea
Semifinals 1–0 China China
Final 1–0 North Korea North Korea
Germany 2011 World Cup Round 1 2–1 New Zealand New Zealand 2 / 4
4–0 Mexico Mexico
0–2 England England
Quarterfinals 1–0 Germany Germany
Semifinals 3–1 Sweden Sweden
Final 2–2 (PSO: 3–1) United States United States Awarded the Fair Play Award
2012 Summer Olympics qualification Final round 3–0 Thailand Thailand
2–1 South Korea South Korea
1–0 Australia Australia
1–1 North Korea North Korea
1–0 China China
United Kingdom 2012 Summer Olympics Round 1 2–1 Canada Canada 2 / 4
0–0 Sweden Sweden
0–0 South Africa South Africa
Quarterfinals 2–0 Brazil Brazil
Semifinals 2–1 France France
Finals 1–2 United States United States
South Korea 2013 EAFF Women's East Asian Cup Final round 2–0 China China
0–0 North Korea North Korea
1–2 South Korea South Korea
Vietnam 2014 AFC Women's Asian Cup Round 1 2–2 Australia Australia 1 / 4
4–0 Vietnam Vietnam
7–0 Jordan Jordan
Semifinals 2–1 China China PR
Final 1–0 Australia Australia Awarded the Fair Play Award
Canada 2015 World Cup Round 1 1–0 Switzerland Switzerland 1 / 4
2–1 Cameroon Cameroon
1–0 Ecuador Ecuador
Round of 16 2–1 Netherlands Netherlands
Quarterfinals 1–0 Australia Australia
Semifinals 2–1 England England
Final 2–5 United States United States
Jordan 2018 AFC Women's Asian Cup Round 1 4–0 Vietnam Vietnam 2 / 4
0–0 South Korea South Korea
1–1 Australia Australia
Semi-finals 3–1 China China
Final 1–0 Australia Australia Awarded the Fair Play Award
Indonesia 2018 Asian Games Round 1 2–0 Thailand Thailand 1 / 3
7–0 Vietnam Vietnam
Quarter-finals 2–1 North Korea North Korea
Semi-finals 2–1 South Korea South Korea
Final 1–0 China China
France 2019 World Cup Round 1 0–0 Argentina Argentina 2 / 4
2–1 Scotland Scotland
0–2 England England
Round of 16 1–2 Netherlands Netherlands
Japan 2020 Summer Olympics Round 1 1–1 Canada Canada 3 / 4
0–1 United Kingdom Great Britain
1–0 Chile Chile
Quarterfinals 1–3 Sweden Sweden
India 2022 AFC Women's Asian Cup Round 1 5–0 Myanmar Myanmar 1 / 4
3–0 Vietnam Vietnam
1–1 South Korea South Korea
Quarterfinals 7–0 Thailand Thailand
Semifinals 2–2 (PSO: 3–4) China China
Japan 2022 EAFF E-1 Football Championship (women) Final round 2–1 South Korea South Korea
4–1 Chinese Taipei Chinese Taipei
0–0 China China 1 / 4

source:

Results and fixtures

Main page: Japan women's national football team results and fixtures
See also: 2024 in Japanese football

The following is a list of match results in the last 12 months, as well as any future matches that have been scheduled.

Legend

      Win       Draw       Lose       Postponed/Cancelled       Fixture

2022

2023

All-time results

  • The following table shows Japan women's all-time international record, correct as of 1 Jan 2021.
Against Played Won Drawn Lost GF GA
Total 266 144 43 78 551 307
  • Source: Worldfootball.net

Head-to-head record

, after the match against Flag of Finland.svg Finland.

Coaching staff

Current coaching staff

Role Name
Head Coach Futoshi Ikeda
Assistant Coach Tomomi Miyamoto
GK Coach Toshihiro Nishiiri
Physical Coach Keisuke Otsuka
Technical Staff Japan Kensuke Teraguchi

Manager history

Main : Template:Japan women's national football team managers
See also: Category:Japan women's national football team managers
Name Period Matches Wins Draws Losses Winning % Notes Ref.
Japan Seiki Ichihara (市原 聖曠) 1981 0 0 0 0 0%
Takao Orii (折井 孝男) 1984 0 0 0 0 0%
Ryohei Suzuki (鈴木 良平) 1986–1989 0 0 0 0 0%
Satoshi Miyauchi (宮内 聡) 1997–1999 0 0 0 0 0%
Shinobu Ikeda (池田 司信) 2000–2001 0 0 0 0 0%
Eiji Ueda (上田 栄治) 2002–2004 0 0 0 0 0%
Hiroshi Ohashi (大橋 浩司) 2004–2008 0 0 0 0 0%
Norio Sasaki (佐々木 則夫) 2008–2016 0 0 0 0 0%
Asako Takakura (高倉 麻子) 2016–2021 0 0 0 0 0%
Futoshi Ikeda (池田 太) 2021–present 9 5 3 1 55.56%

, after the match against Flag of Finland.svg Finland.

Players

Main page: List of Japan women's international footballers
See also: Category:Japan women's international footballers

Current squad

The following players were named to the squad for the friendlies against England and Spain, to be played on 11 and 15 November 2022, respectively.

Caps and goals are correct as of 15 November 2022 after match against Flag of Spain.svg Spain.

No. Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club
1 1GK Ayaka Yamashita (山下 杏也加) (1995-09-29) 29 September 1995 (age 28) 53 0 Japan INAC Kobe Leonessa
18 1GK Momoko Tanaka (田中 桃子) (2000-03-17) 17 March 2000 (age 24) 4 0 Japan Tokyo Verdy Beleza
21 1GK Shu Ohba (大場　朱羽) (2002-07-11) 11 July 2002 (age 21) 0 0 United States East Tennessee State Buccaneers
2 2DF Risa Shimizu (清水 梨紗) (1996-06-15) 15 June 1996 (age 27) 56 1 England West Ham United
3 2DF Moeka Minami (南 萌華) (1998-12-07) 7 December 1998 (age 25) 28 1 Italy Roma
4 2DF Saki Kumagai (熊谷 紗希) (captain) (1990-10-17) 17 October 1990 (age 33) 130 3 Germany Bayern Munich
5 2DF Shiori Miyake (三宅 史織) (1995-10-13) 13 October 1995 (age 28) 32 0 Japan INAC Kobe Leonessa
12 2DF Ruka Norimatsu (乗松　瑠華) (1996-01-30) 30 January 1996 (age 28) 9 0 Japan Omiya Ardija Ventus
19 2DF Saori Takarada (宝田 沙織) (1999-12-27) 27 December 1999 (age 24) 18 1 Sweden Linköping
22 2DF Kiko Seike (清家 貴子) (1996-08-08) 8 August 1996 (age 27) 6 1 Japan Urawa Reds
6 3MF Fuka Nagano (長野 風花) (1999-03-09) 9 March 1999 (age 25) 27 2 United States North Carolina Courage
7 3MF Hinata Miyazawa (宮澤 ひなた) (1999-11-28) 28 November 1999 (age 24) 17 4 Japan MyNavi Sendai
8 3MF Hikaru Naomoto (猶本 光) (1994-03-03) 3 March 1994 (age 30) 31 2 Japan Urawa Reds
13 3MF Jun Endo (遠藤 純) (2000-05-24) 24 May 2000 (age 23) 28 2 United States Angel City
14 3MF Yui Hasegawa (長谷川 唯) (1997-01-29) 29 January 1997 (age 27) 60 11 England Manchester City
15 3MF Hina Sugita (杉田 妃和) (1997-01-31) 31 January 1997 (age 27) 32 2 United States Portland Thorns
16 3MF Honoka Hayashi (林 穂之香) (1998-05-19) 19 May 1998 (age 25) 20 0 England West Ham United
20 3MF Nanami Kitamura (北村　菜々美) (1999-11-25) 25 November 1999 (age 24) 9 0 Japan Tokyo Verdy Beleza
23 3MF Aoba Fujino (藤野　あおば) (2004-01-27) 27 January 2004 (age 20) 4 0 Japan Tokyo Verdy Beleza
9 4FW Riko Ueki (植木 理子) (1999-07-30) 30 July 1999 (age 24) 15 8 Japan Tokyo Verdy Beleza
10 4FW Mana Iwabuchi (岩渕 真奈) (1993-03-18) 18 March 1993 (age 31) 85 37 England Arsenal
11 4FW Mina Tanaka (田中 美南) (1994-04-28) 28 April 1994 (age 29) 62 23 Japan INAC Kobe Leonessa

(Players are listed within position group by order of kit number, caps, goals, seniority, and then alphabetically)

Recent call-ups

The following players have been named to the squad in the past 12 months.


Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club Latest call-up
GK Chika Hirao (平尾 知佳) (1996-12-31) 31 December 1996 (age 27) 4 0 Japan Albirex Niigata v. Flag of New Zealand.svg New Zealand, 9 October 2022
GK Sakiko Ikeda (池田 咲紀子) (1992-09-08) 8 September 1992 (age 31) 20 0 Japan Urawa Reds v. Flag of Serbia.svg Serbia, 24 June 2022 PRE
GK Mamiko Matsumoto (松本 真未子) (1997-10-09) 9 October 1997 (age 26) 0 0 Japan MyNavi Sendai Training camp, 4–10 April 2022 PRE
DF Hana Takahashi (高橋 はな) (2000-02-19) 19 February 2000 (age 24) 13 1 Japan Urawa Reds v. Flag of England.svg England, 11 November 2022 INJ
DF Asato Miyagawa (宮川 麻都) (1998-02-24) 24 February 1998 (age 26) 23 0 Japan Tokyo Verdy Beleza v. Flag of New Zealand.svg New Zealand, 9 October 2022
DF Hikaru Kitagawa (北川 ひかる) (1997-05-10) 10 May 1997 (age 26) 6 0 Japan Albirex Niigata 2022 EAFF E-1 Championship
DF Kanae Hayashi (林 香奈絵) (1994-02-27) 27 February 1994 (age 30) 1 0 Japan JEF United Chiba 2022 EAFF E-1 Championship
DF Miyu Takahira (高平 美憂) (1999-11-04) 4 November 1999 (age 24) 1 0 Japan MyNavi Sendai 2022 EAFF E-1 Championship
DF Mayu Sasaki (佐々木 繭) (1993-01-12) 12 January 1993 (age 31) 8 0 Japan Urawa Reds Training camp, 4–10 April 2022
DF Arisa Matsubara (松原 有沙) (1995-05-01) 1 May 1995 (age 28) 4 1 Japan Nojima Stella Training camp, 4–10 April 2022
MF Shinomi Koyama (小山 史乃観) (2005-01-31) 31 January 2005 (age 19) 1 0 Japan Cerezo Osaka v. Flag of New Zealand.svg New Zealand, 9 October 2022
MF Narumi Miura (三浦 成美) (1997-07-03) 3 July 1997 (age 26) 30 0 Japan Tokyo Verdy Beleza 2022 EAFF E-1 Championship
MF Yui Narumiya (成宮 唯) (1995-02-22) 22 February 1995 (age 29) 9 4 Japan INAC Kobe Leonessa 2022 EAFF E-1 Championship
MF Ami Sugita (杉田 亜未) (1992-03-14) 14 March 1992 (age 32) 8 2 Japan Nojima Stella 2022 EAFF E-1 Championship
MF Yoshino Nakashima (中嶋 淑乃) (1999-07-27) 27 July 1999 (age 24) 1 0 Japan Sanfrecce Hiroshima Regina 2022 EAFF E-1 Championship
MF Rin Sumida (隅田 凜) (1996-01-12) 12 January 1996 (age 28) 27 1 Japan MyNavi Sendai Training camp, 4–10 April 2022
MF Moeno Sakaguchi (阪口 萌乃) (1992-06-04) 4 June 1992 (age 31) 12 1 Japan INAC Kobe Leonessa Training camp, 4–10 April 2022
MF Yuzuho Shiokoshi (塩越 柚歩) (1997-11-01) 1 November 1997 (age 26) 5 2 Japan Urawa Reds Training camp, 4–10 April 2022
MF Hikaru Yumura (祐村 ひかる) (1997-10-18) 18 October 1997 (age 26) 0 0 Japan AS Saitama Training camp, 4–10 April 2022
MF Reina Wakisaka (脇阪 麗奈) (1999-05-02) 2 May 1999 (age 24) 0 0 Japan Nojima Stella Training camp, 4–10 April 2022
FW Ayaka Inoue (井上 綾香) (1995-01-15) 15 January 1995 (age 29) 3 0 Japan Omiya Ardija Ventus v. Flag of New Zealand.svg New Zealand, 9 October 2022
FW Maika Hamano (浜野　まいか) (2004-05-09) 9 May 2004 (age 19) 1 0 Japan INAC Kobe Leonessa v. Flag of New Zealand.svg New Zealand, 9 October 2022
FW Yuika Sugasawa (菅澤 優衣香) (1990-10-05) 5 October 1990 (age 33) 84 29 Japan Urawa Reds 2022 EAFF E-1 Championship
FW Mami Ueno (上野 真実) (1996-09-27) 27 September 1996 (age 27) 10 1 Japan Sanfrecce Hiroshima Regina 2022 EAFF E-1 Championship
FW Remina Chiba (千葉 玲海菜) (1999-04-30) 30 April 1999 (age 24) 4 2 Japan JEF United Chiba 2022 EAFF E-1 Championship
FW Akari Shiraki (白木 星) (1996-11-04) 4 November 1996 (age 27) 0 0 Japan MyNavi Sendai Training camp, 4–10 April 2022
FW Megumi Takase (高瀬 愛実) (1990-11-10) 10 November 1990 (age 33) 61 9 Japan INAC Kobe Leonessa Training camp, 4–10 April 2022 PRE

(Players are listed within position group by order of latest call-up, caps, goals, seniority, and then alphabetically)

Previous squads

Bold indicates winning squads

Captains

Records

Main page: List of Japan women's international footballers
See also: Category:Japan women's international footballers

*Players in bold are still active, at least at club level.

Honours

Intercontinental

Med 1.png Champions: 2011
Med 2.png Runners-up: 2015
Med 2.png Runners-up: 2012

Continental

Med 1.png Champions: 2014, 2018
Med 2.png Runners-up: 1986, 1991, 1995, 2001
  • Asian Games
Med 1.png Champions: 2010, 2018
Med 2.png Runners-up: 1990, 1994, 2006, 2014

Regional

  • EAFF E-1 Football Championship
Med 1.png Champions: 2008, 2010, 2019, 2022
Med 2.png Runners-up: 2013, 2017

Other tournaments

Med 2.png Runners-up: 2012, 2014

Competitive record

     Champions       Runners-up       Third place       Fourth place  

FIFA Women's World Cup

Main page: Japan at the FIFA Women's World Cup

Olympic Games

Main page: Japan at the Olympics

AFC Women's Asian Cup

AFC Women's Asian Cup record
Hosts / Year Result GP W D* L GS GA GD
Hong Kong 1975 Did not enter
Taiwan 1977 Group Stage 2 0 0 2 0 8 −8
India 1980 Did not enter
Hong Kong 1981 Group stage 3 1 0 2 1 3 −2
Flag of Thailand (TIS 982 draft standard).svg 1983 Did not enter
Hong Kong 1986 Runners-up 4 2 0 2 14 4 +10
Hong Kong 1989 Third place 5 4 0 1 37 1 +36
Japan 1991 Runners-up 6 4 1 1 27 6 +21
Malaysia 1993 Third place 5 4 0 1 29 4 +25
Malaysia 1995 Runners-up 5 4 0 1 27 3 +24
China 1997 Third place 5 4 0 1 33 1 +32
Philippines 1999 Fourth place 6 4 0 2 36 6 +30
Chinese Taipei 2001 Runners-up 6 4 0 2 30 5 +25
Flag of Thailand (TIS 982 draft standard).svg 2003 Fourth place 6 4 0 2 34 4 +30
Australia 2006 5 3 0 2 19 6 +13
Vietnam 2008 Third place 5 3 0 2 19 7 +12
China 2010 5 4 0 1 16 2 +14
Vietnam 2014 Champions 5 4 1 0 16 3 +13
Jordan 2018 5 3 2 0 9 2 +7
India 2022 Semi-finals 5 3 2 0 18 3 +15
Total 17/20 83 55 6 22 365 68 +297
*Draws include knockout matches decided on penalty kicks.
  • A Japanese representative side FC Jinnan representing Japan participated in the 1977 AFC Women's Championship.

Asian Games

Main page: Japan at the Asian Games
Asian Games record
Hosts / Year Result GP W D* L GS GA GD
China 1990 Runners-up 5 3 1 1 17 8 +9
Japan 1994 4 2 1 1 9 3 +6
Flag of Thailand (TIS 982 draft standard).svg 1998 Third place 5 3 0 2 18 7 +11
South Korea 2002 5 3 1 1 8 3 +5
Qatar 2006 Runners-up 5 4 1 0 21 1 +20
China 2010 Champions 4 3 1 0 6 0 +6
South Korea 2014 Runners-up 6 4 1 1 28 3 +25
Indonesia 2018 Champions 5 5 0 0 14 2 +12
China 2022 TBD
Japan 2026
Qatar 2030
Saudi Arabia 2034
Total 7/7 34 22 6 6 107 25 +82
*Draws include knockout matches decided on penalty kicks.

EAFF E-1 Football Championship

EAFF E-1 Football Championship record
Hosts / Year Result Pld W D* L GF GA GD
South Korea 2005 Third place 3 0 2 1 0 1 −1
China 2008 Champions 3 3 0 0 8 2 +6
Japan 2010 3 3 0 0 7 1 +6
South Korea 2013 Runners-up 3 1 1 1 3 2 +1
China 2015 Third place 3 1 0 2 5 6 −1
Japan 2017 Runners-up 3 2 0 1 4 4 0
South Korea 2019 Champions 3 3 0 0 13 0 +13
Japan 2022 Champions 3 2 1 0 6 2 +4
Total 8/8 24 15 4 5 46 18 +28
*Draws include knockout matches decided on penalty kicks.

Match history

EAFF E-1 Football Championship history
Year Round Opponent Score Result
2005 First match Flag of North Korea.svg North Korea 0–1 Loss
Second match Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg China 0–0 Draw
Third match Flag of South Korea.svg South Korea 0–0 Draw
2008 First match Flag of North Korea.svg North Korea 3–2 Win
Second match Flag of South Korea.svg South Korea 2–0 Win
Third match Flag of South Korea.svg South Korea 3–0 Win
2010 First match Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg China 2–0 Win
Second match Flag of Chinese Taipei (Olympics; 1986–2010).svg Chinese Taipei 3–0 Win
Third match Flag of South Korea.svg South Korea 2–1 Win
2013 First match Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg China 2–0 Win
Second match Flag of North Korea.svg North Korea 0–0 Draw
Third match Flag of South Korea.svg South Korea 1–2 Loss
2015 First match Flag of North Korea.svg North Korea 2–4 Loss
Second match Flag of South Korea.svg South Korea 1–2 Loss
Third match Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg China 2–0 Win
2017 First match Flag of South Korea.svg South Korea 3–2 Win
Second match Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg China 1–0 Win
Third match Flag of North Korea.svg North Korea 0–2 Loss
2019 First match Flag of Chinese Taipei (Olympics; 1986–2010).svg Chinese Taipei 7–0 Win
Second match Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg China 3–0 Win
Third match Flag of South Korea.svg South Korea 1–0 Win
2022 First match Flag of South Korea.svg South Korea 2–1 Win
Second match Flag of Chinese Taipei (Olympics; 1986–2010).svg Chinese Taipei 4–1 Win
Third match Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg China 0–0 Draw

Algarve Cup

The Algarve Cup is an invitational tournament for national teams in women's association football hosted by the Portuguese Football Federation (FPF). Held annually in the Algarve region of Portugal since 1994, it is one of the most prestigious and longest-running women's international football events and has been nicknamed the "Mini FIFA Women's World Cup."

Portugal Algarve Cup record
Year Result Matches Wins Draws Losses GF GA GD
1994–2010 Did not enter
2011 3rd place 4 3 0 1 9 3 +6
2012 2nd place 4 3 0 1 8 5 +3
2013 5th place 4 2 0 2 4 4 0
2014 2nd place 4 2 1 1 4 5 −1
2015 9th place 4 2 0 2 7 5 +2
2016 Did not enter
2017 6th place 4 2 0 2 7 5 +2
2018 6th place 4 2 0 2 6 9 −3
2019– Did not enter
Total 7/27 28 16 1 11 45 36 +9

Cyprus Women's Cup

Cyprus Cyprus Women's Cup record
Year Result GP W D L GF GA GD
2008 3rd place 3 1 1 1 5 5 0
Total 1/13 3 1 1 1 5 5 0

SheBelieves Cup

The SheBelieves Cup is a global invitational tournament for national teams in women's football hosted in the United States.

United States SheBelieves Cup record
Year Result Matches Wins Draws Losses GF GA Coaches
2016–2018 Did not enter
2019 Third place 3 1 1 1 5 6 Asako Takakura
2020 Fourth place 3 0 0 3 2 7
2021 Withdrew due to the COVID-19 pandemic
Total 2/6 6 1 1 4 7 13

Match history

Tournament of Nations

The Tournament of Nations was a global invitational tournament for national teams in women's soccer in non-World Cup and non-Olympic years hosted by the United States Soccer Federation (USSF) in several American cities. The inaugural tournament was held in 2017.

The 2021 edition would have been a pre-Olympics tournament due to the rescheduling of the Tokyo Olympics. On May 6, 2021, however, the USSF announced that it would no longer hold Tournament of Nations because recent changes in international windows by FIFA made a round-robin tournament unfeasible.

United States Tournament of Nations record
Year Result Matches Wins Draws Losses GF GA Coach
2017 Third place 3 0 1 2 3 8 Asako Takakura
2018 Fourth place 3 0 0 3 3 8
Total 2/2 6 0 1 5 6 16

Match history

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Selección femenina de fútbol de Japón para niños

National teams
Men's
  • Japan national football team
  • Japan national under-23 football team
  • Japan national under-20 football team
  • Japan national under-17 football team
  • Japan national futsal team
  • Japan national under-20 futsal team
  • Japan national beach soccer team
Women's
  • Japan women's national under-20 football team
  • Japan women's national under-17 football team
  • Japan women's national futsal team
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