Latest from Japan

In the final of the Asian Men’s Volleyball Championship, Japan defeated Iran 3-0 to secure a spot in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. It’s the earliest Japan has qualified before an Olympic year since 1976. On the forum thread, some praised Iran for enduring a grueling schedule, while others — recalling Japan’s collapse against Italy at the Paris Olympics — warned the team “don’t choke when it counts.” Others pushed back, citing Japan’s third-place finish in this year’s Nations League (VNL) as proof they’re plenty strong, leaving opinions on the team’s true strength divided.

Sponichi

[Sept. 13, 2026, 21:02]

Men’s Volleyball Asian Championship Final Japan 3-0 Iran (Sept. 13, 2026, Kitakyushu City General Gymnasium, Fukuoka)

Source: sponichi.co.jp / Original article here

※This article is excerpted and summarized from the 5ch (Geinou/Sports News+) thread “[Volleyball] Japan men clinch LA Olympic berth! Rout Iran, secure spot before Olympic year for the first time since 1976 / Final: Japan 3-0 Iran”.

Machida Zelvia’s Japan international forward Koki Ogawa yanked 16-year-old midfielder Makoto Mitsudera down by the back of his jersey in the 21st minute of the second half of the match against Yokohama F. Marinos (September 12, National Stadium), but no foul was called and play continued. Right after the match ended in a 1-1 draw, Yokohama FM forward Yuki Kondo was shown a yellow card for pulling Yuki Soma’s shirt — and the inconsistency in officiating standards became a hot topic on social media. On 5channel, many said “It’s not Ogawa’s fault, it’s the referee’s fault for not blowing the whistle,” while others criticized the play itself as “dirty” and “embarrassing for a national team player,” leaving opinion split.

A single play by Machida Zelvia’s Japan international forward Koki Ogawa (29) during the match against Yokohama F. Marinos (September 12, MUFG National Stadium) has drawn attention on social media.

The match ended in a 1-1 draw, but the incident happened in the 21st minute of the second half, while Yokohama FM led 1-0. Ogawa grabbed the shirt of opposing midfielder Makoto Mitsudera (16) from behind and pulled him down. Mitsudera appealed for a foul, but play continued as normal.

Immediately after, Yokohama FM forward Yuki Kondo was shown a yellow card for pulling midfielder Yuki Soma’s shirt, which put Ogawa’s earlier action even more in the spotlight. Comments flooded social media questioning the officiating, including “How is that not a foul?” and “There’s no way that yellow for Kondo makes sense — if that’s a card, why wasn’t Ogawa carded for doing the same thing moments earlier?”

Source: tokyo-sports.co.jp / Original article here

*This article is excerpted and summarized from the 5channel (Geinou/Sports News+) thread “[Soccer] Machida’s Koki Ogawa causes a stir by pulling 16-year-old Makoto Mitsudera’s shirt — questions over the officiating, some disappointment too.”

In the final match of Group A of the men’s basketball preliminary round at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games, Japan lost to Korea 83-100, finishing the first round in second place with a 2-1 record. Korea went 3-0 to top the group. Reactions on 5ch pointed out that Japan’s squad was built around young players rather than the full national team, and that for Korea, winning a medal at the Asian Games exempts athletes from mandatory military service — meaning they field serious lineups across every sport. Users also compared this to Japan’s strong showing in other sports like volleyball, and discussion touched on the nationality and backgrounds of national team players.

Daily Sports

9/13

On the 13th, at IG Arena in Nagoya, the men’s basketball preliminary round — held ahead of the official opening of the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games — saw Japan lose to Korea 83-100 in Group A’s final match, closing out the group stage in second place with a 2-1 record. Korea topped the group with a perfect 3-0 record. The quarterfinals will be held on the 16th.

Source: daily.co.jp / Read the original article here

※This article is excerpted and summarized from the 5ch (Geinou/Sports Express+) thread “[Basketball] Japan loses to Korea, advances in 2nd place — Asian Games, Japan 83-100 Korea.”