Japan women's national football team

Japan

Nickname	なでしこジャパン (Nadeshiko Japan)
Association	Japan Football Association (JFA)
Confederation	AFC (Asia)
Sub-confederation	EAFF (East Asia)
Head coach	Michihisa Kano (interim)
Captain	Yui Hasegawa
Most caps	Homare Sawa (205)
Top scorer	Homare Sawa (83)
FIFA code	JPN
First colours Second colours
FIFA ranking
Current	5 3 (21 April 2026)[1]
Highest	3 (December 2011 – September 2014)
Lowest	14 (July 2003 – March 2004)
First international
Chinese Taipei 1–0 Japan  (British Hong Kong; 7 June 1981)
Biggest win
Japan 21–0 Guam  (Guangzhou, China; 5 December 1997)
Biggest defeat
Italy 9–0 Japan  (Tokyo, Japan; 9 September 1981)[2]  United States 9–0 Japan  (Charlotte, United States; 29 April 1999)[2]
World Cup
Appearances	10 (first in 1991)
Best result	Champions (2011)
Olympic Games
Appearances	6 (first in 1996)
Best result	Runners-up (2012)
Asian Cup
Appearances	18 (first in 1977)
Best result	Champions (2014, 2018, 2026)
Medal record World Cup 2011 Germany Team 2015 Canada Team Olympic Games 2012 London Team Asian Cup 2014 Vietnam Team 2018 Jordan Team 2026 Australia Team 1986 Hong Kong Team 1991 Japan Team 1995 Malaysia Team 2001 Chinese Taipei Team 1989 Hong Kong Team 1993 Malaysia Team 1997 China Team 2008 Vietnam Team 2010 China Team 2022 India Team Asian Games 2010 Guangzhou Team 2018 Jakarta-Palembang Team 2022 Hangzhou Team 1990 Beijing Team 1994 Hiroshima Team 2006 Doha Team 2014 Incheon Team 1998 Bangkok Team 2002 Busan Team
Website	jfa.jp/eng/nadeshikojapan/

The Japan women's national football team (Japanese: サッカー日本女子代表, Hepburn: Sakkā Nippon Joshi Daihyō), commonly known as Nadeshiko Japan (なでしこジャパン),^[3] represents Japan in women's association football and is run by the Japan Football Association (JFA). One of the two countries to win every FIFA competition and the most successful women's national team in the Asian Football Confederation, its highest ranking in the FIFA Women's World Rankings is 3rd, achieved in December 2011.^[4]

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.^[5] 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.^[6] It also won gold medals at the 2014, 2018 and 2026 AFC Women's Asian Cups, the 2010 and 2018 Asian Games, and the 2008, 2010, and 2019 EAFF Football Championships.

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, a team representing Japan participated in its first international tournament, the 1977 AFC Women's Championship. But this team was not actually a national team, since the Japan Football Association dispatched a club team, FC Jinnan as its representative.^[7][8] In 1980, "All-Japan Women's Football Championship" was held. In 1981, the Japan Football Association formed the first national team for the 1981 AFC Women's Championship^[9] and Seiki Ichihara managed as the first Japan national team manager.^[2] The first match against Chinese Taipei on 7 June at this tournament was the first match for a Japan national team.^[2] In 1984, a national team was gathered for the first time in three years for a China expedition, with Takao Orii managing the squad.^[2]

In January 1986, Ryohei Suzuki became the first full-time manager for the national team. In December, Japan won 2nd place at the 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.

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 along with economic stagnation (Lost Decade) this helped cause the withdrawal of a series of teams from the L. League. Japanese women's football was on the verge of decline.

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").

Japan faced Germany, Canada and Argentina for the 2003 FIFA Women's World Cup. Beginning with a 6–0 thrashing of newcomer Argentina, Japan subsequently fell 0–3 to the eventual champions Germany, followed by a loss of 1–3 to Canada, the team that ultimately finished 4th.

In the 2007 FIFA Women's World Cup held in China, they again faced Germany and Argentina, with England making up the group. They started with a 2–2 draw against England, before beating Argentina 1–0. A 0–2 defeat to reigning champion Germany again eliminated Japan from the group stage.

After qualifying from the preliminary round, Nadeshiko faced the United States, Norway and New Zealand in Group C of the Women's Olympic Football Tournament in Beijing.

In the first match, they drew 2-2 with the Football Ferns of New Zealand and then lost 1-0 to the Americans in the second match. However, as the two best third-placed teams progressed, Japan secured qualification for the quarter-finals with a 5-1 win over Norway in the final match of the group phase.

In the quarter-finals, the Japanese eliminated the host China with a 2-0 victory thanks to goals from Homare Sawa and Yuki Nagasato. It was the first time that Japan had advanced beyond the quarter-finals in any international women's football competition.

At the semifinals, Japan met the United States again, but just like in the group stage, the Americans came out on top, winning 4-2. In the bronze medal match, Nadeshiko ended up being defeated by Germany 2-0.

Like the 2008 Women's Olympic Football Tournament, the 2010 AFC Women's Asian Cup was also held in China. Japan was drawn in Group A with North Korea, Thailand and Myanmar.

After two thrashings against Myanmar (7-0) and Thailand (4-0), Nadeshiko finished the group stage as leaders, beating North Korea 2-1. In the semi-finals, however, they were defeated by Australia thanks to a goal by Kate Gill before the end of the first half. The Matildas would go on to win the tournament.

In the third-place play-off, Japan defeated hosts China 2-0 and secured the last Asian spot in the 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup (Australia and North Korea also qualified as finalists in that tournament).

After finishing third in the 2010 AFC Women's Asian Cup, Japan qualified for the FIFA Women's World Cup 2011 finals in Germany. There were certain doubts whether Nadeshiko would play in that tournament due to the 2011 Tohoku earthquake and tsunami which happened a couple of months before, but the participation was confirmed at the last minute.

After finishing second in their group behind England, Japan shocked the world beating 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.^[12][13] It came right after men's team won the 2011 AFC Asian Cup, marked their most successful year in Japanese football.

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.^[14]

The Japan Football Association (JFA) was accused of sexism, after flying the men's Olympic team on business class and the women's team on economy class.^[15]

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 defending champions Australia, host Vietnam and newcomer Jordan. Their first match in the group stage of the tournament resulted in a 2–2 draw against the Matildas.^[16] 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.^[17]

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.

In a all-Asian quarterfinal 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.

Defending champions Japan won in 2014 and played in the continental competition held in Jordan in a group with then-runners-up Australia, South Korea and Vietnam. In Group C, Nadeshiko beat the Vietnamese 4-0 and drew the following two games against the South Koreans and the Australians. As Japan, Australia and South Korea each finished with 5 points, the tiebreaker was goal difference and the Japanese finished second behind Australia (the goal difference was also decisive for Japan to secure a direct spot in the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup over South Korea).

In the semi-finals, Japan defeated again China by 3–1 with a goal from Mana Iwabuchi and two goals from Kumi Yokoyama. The final match in Amman was a repeat of the 2014 final between Japan and Australia, in which Nadeshiko defeated the Matildas again thanks to a goal scored by Yokoyama in the 84th minute. It was Japan's second continental title and their second title in a row.

While Japan remains on a title and a runners-up spot at the last two editions of the World Cup as well as a runner-up spot at the 2012 Olympics, it failed to qualify for the 2016 Olympics while the World Cup 2019 sees the country of the Rising Sun being knocked out pretty quickly. Nadeshiko Japan, who no longer benefit from the surprise effect unlike previous tournaments, passed the first round without glory, with a narrow victory over Scotland (2–1) a goalless draw against Argentina (0–0) as well as a defeat against England (0–2) in the last group match for first place in group D. The Japanese find the Netherlands at the same stage of the competition as 4 years earlier, but the confrontation this time turns to the advantage of the Oranje who take their revenge and eliminated Japan by the same score by which they had lost in 2015 (1–2).

Japan is encountering the same difficulties during the 2020 Olympic Games organized at home and postponed by a year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In front of their public, Japan passed the first round with difficulty, with a victory snatched in extremis on the edge of the last quarter of an hour of the game on the last day against Chile (1–0) to finish among the 2 best 3rd in the group, having had a few scares with a header from the Chilean Francisca Lara having rebounded on the goal line without crossing it just after hitting the bar,^[18] and this shortly before the saving Japanese goal. Japan, which had in the meantime struggled against the other top names in the group (1–1 draw against Canada after being behind and missing a penalty, 0–1 defeat against Great Britain), confirms its difficulties against to the big teams like this first round and the 2019 World Cup by falling in the next round against Sweden (1–3).

Still suffering from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, Japan was seeking its third consecutive continental title in India. In the first phase, Nadeshiko beat Myanmar (5-0) and Vietnam (3-0) and drew 1-1 with South Korea, finishing first in the group.

In the quarterfinals, they secured a direct spot in the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup by beating Thailand 7-0. However, their dream of a third consecutive championship ended when they were defeated by China in the semifinals on penalties by 4-3 after a 2-2 draw that lasted until 120 minutes of extra time.

Japan finished first in Group C with Spain, Zambia and Costa Rica, winning all three group games, scoring 11 goals and conceded none. Japan's technical mastery made a strong impression in particular in her 4–0 victory against Spain, the eventual champion. That was a landmark match that broke long-held FIFA records. Japan women's 23% of possession is the lowest for a winning side at the FIFA Women's World Cup since 2011. This is often compared to Japan 2-1 Spain in 2022 FIFA World Cup Group E, which Japan's 18% of possession is the lowest for a winning side at the FIFA World Cup since 1966.^[19][20][21] Match statistics reflected Japan women was more incisive and efficient, with only 23% possession, their expected goal (xG) was 0.9 vs 0.7, shots attempted were 7 vs 10, shots on target were 5 vs 2, and goals scored were 4 vs 0.^[22]

In the knockout stage, Japan was able to beat Norway 3–1^[23] and advanced to the quarter-finals for the first time since 2015. Facing Sweden, another Scandinavian in the quarter-finals, Japan was hailed as favorite due to their four consecutive wins at this World Cup, but, unfortunately for the Nadeshiko, they were unable to create as many chances as they did against Norway. Japan found themselves trailing by 2 goals to nothing at halftime, and Honoka Hayashi's goal in the 87th minute ended as the only effort Japan could effectively turn into a goal. Losing by 2–1, they were eliminated from the World Cup, and the second time in succession that Japan fell to Sweden in a major competition, as they were also eliminated at the quarter-finals of the Tokyo Olympics just two years prior, on 2021.

After eliminating North Korea in the third round of the 2024 AFC Women's Olympic Qualifying Tournament, the Nadeshiko Japan returned to qualify for an Olympic Games for the first time since London 2012 (they failed to qualify for the Rio 2016 Games). In the first match against Spain, they opened the score with a beautiful free-kick shoot from Aoba Fujino, but the Spanish came back by winning 2-1 with the goals of Aitana Bonmatí and Mariona Caldentey. Against Brazil in the second match, the Nadeshiko was losing the match by 1-0 until the final stoppage time when a penalty kick of Saki Kumagai and a 40-meter goal shot from Momoko Tanikawa turned the match around and prevented Japan from being eliminated in the group stage until then.

In the last match of the group phase against Nigeria, the Japanese qualified to the quarter-finals winning the Nigerians by 3-1 with goals from Maika Hamano, Mina Tanaka and a free-kick from Hikaru Kitagawa. Although they made a great match against United States in the quarter-finals, Japan was eliminated losing to the Americans by 1-0 due to a goal of Trinity Rodman in extra time. At the end, Nadeshiko Japan end the Paris campaign in the fifth place, the best of the non-semifinalists.^[24]

In mid-December 2024, JFA head coach Futoshi Ikeda stepped down, and Greenland-born Danish coach Nils Nielsen took over as head coach for the Nadeshikos. Nielsen also brought in Australian U-20 coach Leah Blayney as one of the assistant managers of the JFA. His style of play included bringing out the ruthlessness needed from the Japanese to win games.

Japan was invited alongside Australia and Colombia to the 2025 SheBelievesCup in the United States. As the tournament reverted back to the round-robin style format, the top-placed team was the winner. Japan started against Australia and easily dominated the game with a 4-0 thrashing of the Matildas with goals by Mina Tanaka (2), Maika Hamano, and Moeka Minami.^[25][26] Japan went on to win against Colombia 4-1 with an instant super goal from Momoko Tanikawa eighteen seconds into the game. Mina Tanaka then scored the second from a corner kick by Tanikawa. Japan conceded from a counterattack by the Colombians, however in the second half, a goal from Maika Hamano and a penalty kick finished by Mina Tanaka sealed it for the Nadeshikos.^[27]

Japan headed into the final game of the tournament with the United States. With their goal difference higher than the Americans, a draw was needed for them to win the competition. One minute into the game, Yuka Momiki scored the first goal, however in the 14th minute, Ally Sentnor scored the equalizer which leveled the game. After half-time, Aoba Fujino won a foul outside the American box, and Yui Hasegawa took the subsequent free kick, which the American goalkeeper initially saved, but then Toko Koga followed up and puts the loose ball into the net. Nielsen's Japan sees out the game with the win, lifting their first SheBelieves Cup trophy.^[28] They defeated the United States for the first time since 2013 Algarve Cup, and ended their 22-game unbeaten run.

Fresh from their SheBelievesCup win, Japan faced against Colombia in two back-to-back games, drawing against them 1-1 in the first, and then winning against them in an unofficial match 6-1. However, their form started to drop when they lost two back-to-back matches against Brazil, whose pace and power dominated the Japanese. They also played a send-off game against Spain for the 2025 UEFA Women's Euros, where despite Mina Tanaka scoring the opening goal, the Spanish turned the game around, with the final score being 1-3 to Spain.

With the EAFF E-1 Football Championship upcoming, Japan fielded a rotated squad of entirely WE League players. They easily win against Chinese Taipei 4-0, before suffering two consecutive draws against China and South Korea 1-1 and 0-0 respectively. Despite Japan having a higher goal difference than the other teams, they ended up in third place, since they had lower head-to-head goals than China and South Korea.

In October Japan played two friendlies against European opposition namely Italy and Norway. They were behind Italy after half-time, but Yui Hasegawa scored a chip which ties the game and eventually the game ended 1-1. Against Norway, they lost 2-0 with Norway's Signe Gaupset scoring a brace.^[29]

Japan ended their winless drought against Canada in two back-to-back games, which saw them win 3-0 and 1-0 in both of those games.^[30]

Finishing top three in the previous tournament, Japan automatically qualified for the 2026 AFC Women's Asian Cup which took place in Australia as the favorites to win the title and was placed in a relatively easy Group C along with Chinese Taipei, India and Vietnam. Their game against Chinese Taipei started with a 2-0 win, as their opponents played with a very low block which the Japanese broke through in the 61st minute with a goal from Momoko Tanikawa and another one later by Kiko Seike. In their next game, the Nadeshikos dismantle India, putting eleven past the net, which was the match with the most goals scored in the tournament including hat-tricks from Riko Ueki and Hinata Miyazawa. Their final group stage game against Vietnam had them cruise to a 4-0 victory, topping their group and sending them to the quarterfinals.^[31]

Japan in the quarterfinals eliminated the Philippines with a dominating 7-0 victory, automatically booking their ticket to the 2027 FIFA Women's World Cup.^[32] Japan advanced to the semis against South Korea, where they won 4-1 and conceded their first and only goal of the tournament.

Japan faced off against Australia in the final, whose team eliminated North Korea and then current champions China from the tournament. In front of a record crowd of mainly Australian fans, the Japanese scored the only goal of the game with a shot outside of the box from Maika Hamano. After a cagey battle and repelling a last-ditch Australian attack in the last minutes, Japan lived up to the expectations and reclaimed their title, winning their third continental trophy.^[33] They were by all means the best team of the tournament, with 29 goals scored across all six games, six wins and five clean sheets.

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

The term “Yamato nadeshiko” (which came the expression) was an old expression often used to describe the traditional Japanese woman as a woman who was beautiful and delicate on the outside but strong and determined on the inside, although she was often submissive to men. In fact, the word Yamato is the name given to the race and ethnicity of people from which Japan was formed (as it is also the name of the Japanese imperial dynasty that rules the country to this day). In modern times, the term “Yamato Nadeshiko” has been updated to mean “a modest woman” who is both strong, mature and determined, as well as beautiful, delicate and graceful.

The nickname was coined by the Japan Football Association in 2004 after a fan vote during the Athens 2004 Olympic Games, which was intended to convey that the Japanese female player was strong and brave like an athlete, feminine like a woman and Japanese with both a patriotic and nationalistic character. At first, it was not widely accepted by the public and the media until the 2011 Women’s World Cup. After the 2011 World Cup title, the expression Nadeshiko completely changed to “the female football player from Japan”.^[34]

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

In the 1970s, Nadeshiko Japan and China’s Steel Roses became the first Asian continental powerhouses in women's football. While the Steel Roses dominated in the 1980s, 1990s, and 2000s, Nadeshiko Japan began dominating the rivalry in the early 2010s. It is the biggest women's football rivalry in Asia.

Although the first match between both national teams started in 1984, since the Australians came to AFC in 2006 both Nadeshiko Japan and the Matildas created the most significant women's football rivalry in Asia with a lot of AFC Women's Asian Cup title matches and a FIFA Women's World Cup quarterfinal.

Another big rival of Nadeshiko Japan, the Azaleas from North Korea created this rivalry at the same time than the rivalry of Japan with China. Although the North Koreans don't play a lot of recently matches against the Japanese in professional terms, in the U-20 and U-17 competitions is the biggest rivalry of the continent.

Unlike men's football, the rivalry between Japan and South Korea in women's football is still recent (created in the 1990s). But it's not a rivalry below due to the history of the two countries.

Outside Asia, the biggest rival of Nadeshiko Japan is United States. Both teams created the rivalry in the 1980s and both teams have always faced each other in decisive instances, including two consecutive FIFA Women's World Cup finals recently in 2011 and 2015.

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

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

source:^[35]

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   Loss   Fixture   Void or Postponed

• Fixtures and Results (2025) – JFA.jp

• Fixtures and Results (2026) – JFA.jp

As of 2 June 2025, after the match against Brazil.

As of 2 June 2025, after the match against Brazil.

As of 2026

Role	Name	Start date	Ref.
Head coach (interim)	Michihisa Kano	2026	[40]
Assistant coach	Leah Blayney	5 January 2025	[41]
Goalkeeper coach	Toshihiro Nishiiri	5 January 2025	[42]
Physical trainer	Ryugo Okamoto	5 January 2025	[42]
Technical director	Mitsumasa Kosugi	5 January 2025	[42]

• Players & Staffs (2026), JFA.jp

Name	Years	Matches	Won	Drawn	Lost	Win %
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)	2021–2024	33	21	4	8	55.56%
Norio Sasaki (佐々木 則夫)	2024 (interim)	1	1	0	0	100%
Nils Nielsen (ニルス・ニールセン)	2024–2026	6	3	1	2	50%

As of 2 June 2025, after the match against Brazil.

The following players were called up to the squad for the friendly matches against the United States on 11, 14 and 17 April 2026.^[43]

Caps and goals correct as of 2 December 2025, after the match against Canada. ^[44]

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	84	0	Manchester City
12	1GK	Chika Hirao (平尾 知佳)	(1996-12-31) 31 December 1996	13	0	Granada
23	1GK	Akane Okuma (大熊 茜)	(2004-09-15) 15 September 2004	2	0	INAC Kobe Leonessa
2	2DF	Risa Shimizu (清水 梨紗)	(1996-06-15) 15 June 1996	82	4	Liverpool
3	2DF	Moeka Minami (南 萌華)	(1998-12-07) 7 December 1998	65	5	Brighton & Hove Albion
4	2DF	Saki Kumagai (熊谷 紗希)	(1990-10-17) 17 October 1990	164	3	London City Lionesses
5	2DF	Hana Takahashi (高橋 はな)	(2000-02-19) 19 February 2000	43	5	Urawa Reds
6	2DF	Tōko Koga (古賀 塔子)	(2006-01-06) 6 January 2006	22	2	Tottenham Hotspur
13	2DF	Hikaru Kitagawa (北川 ひかる)	(1997-05-10) 10 May 1997	23	2	Everton
16	2DF	Yuzuki Yamamoto (山本 柚月)	(2002-09-01) 1 September 2002	5	0	Denver Summit
21	2DF	Miyabi Moriya (守屋 都弥)	(1996-08-22) 22 August 1996	22	2	Utah Royals
7	3MF	Hinata Miyazawa (宮澤 ひなた)	(1999-11-28) 28 November 1999	53	9	Manchester United
8	3MF	Kiko Seike (清家 貴子)	(1996-08-08) 8 August 1996	33	9	Brighton & Hove Albion
10	3MF	Fuka Nagano (長野 風花)	(1999-03-09) 9 March 1999	53	1	Liverpool
14	3MF	Yui Hasegawa (長谷川 唯)	(1997-01-29) 29 January 1997	96	21	Manchester City
15	3MF	Aoba Fujino (藤野 あおば)	(2004-01-27) 27 January 2004	36	9	Manchester City
17	3MF	Maika Hamano (浜野 まいか)	(2004-05-09) 9 May 2004	26	6	Tottenham Hotspur
18	3MF	Honoka Hayashi (林 穂之香)	(1998-05-19) 19 May 1998	38	2	Everton
19	3MF	Momoko Tanikawa (谷川 萌々子)	(2005-05-07) 7 May 2005	15	4	Bayern Munich
20	3MF	Manaka Matsukubo (松窪 真心)	(2004-07-28) 28 July 2004	10	0	North Carolina Courage
22	3MF	Remina Chiba (千葉 玲海菜)	(1999-04-30) 30 April 1999	20	4	Eintracht Frankfurt
9	4FW	Riko Ueki (植木 理子)	(1999-07-30) 30 July 1999	46	12	West Ham United
11	4FW	Mina Tanaka (田中 美南)	(1994-04-28) 28 April 1994	97	46	Utah Royals
24	4FW	Maya Hijikata (土方 麻椰)	(2004-04-13) 13 April 2004	0	0	Aston Villa

The following players have also been called up to the squad within the past 12 months.

Pos.	Player	Date of birth (age)	Caps	Goals	Club	Latest call-up
GK	Natsumi Asano (浅野 菜摘)	(1997-04-14) 14 April 1997	1	0	Chifure AS Elfen Saitama	2025 EAFF E-1 Football Championship
GK	Hannah Stambaugh (スタンボー 華)	(1998-12-24) 24 December 1998	0	0	Angel City FC	v.  Spain, 27 June 2025
DF	Rion Ishikawa (石川 璃音)	(2003-07-04) 4 July 2003	14	0	Everton	2026 AFC Asian Cup
DF	Uno Shiragaki (白垣 うの)	(2005-10-11) 11 October 2005	2	0	North Carolina Courage	v.  Canada, 2 December 2025
DF	Yu Endo (遠藤 優)	(1997-10-29) 29 October 1997	2	0	West Ham United	v.  Canada, 2 December 2025
DF	Jun Endo (遠藤 純)	(2000-05-24) 24 May 2000	45	5	Angel City FC	v.  Norway, 28 October 2025
DF	Shiori Miyake (三宅 史織)	(1995-10-13) 13 October 1995	43	0	INAC Kobe Leonessa	2025 EAFF E-1 Football Championship
DF	Hana Shimada (嶋田 華)	(2002-12-18) 18 December 2002	2	0	Sanfrecce Hiroshima Regina	2025 EAFF E-1 Football Championship
DF	Chisato Ichinose (市瀬 千里)	(1999-06-07) 7 June 1999	1	0	Sanfrecce Hiroshima Regina	2025 EAFF E-1 Football Championship
DF	Saori Takarada (宝田 沙織)	(1999-12-27) 27 December 1999	25	1	Cerezo Osaka Yanmar	v.  Spain, 27 June 2025
MF	Yui Narumiya (成宮 唯)	(1995-02-22) 22 February 1995	13	5	INAC Kobe Leonessa	2026 AFC Asian Cup
MF	Yoshino Nakashima (中嶋 淑乃)	(1999-07-27) 27 July 1999	11	2	Sanfrecce Hiroshima Regina	v.  Canada, 2 December 2025
MF	Riko Yoshida (吉田 莉胡)	(2002-06-18) 18 June 2002	4	0	INAC Kobe Leonessa	v.  Canada, 2 December 2025
MF	Narumi Miura (三浦 成美)	(1997-07-03) 3 July 1997	36	1	Washington Spirit	v.  Canada, 2 December 2025
MF	Yuka Momiki (籾木 結花)	(1996-04-09) 9 April 1996	48	15	Everton	v.  Norway, 28 October 2025
MF	Shinomi Koyama (小山 史乃観)	(2005-01-31) 31 January 2005	1	0	North Carolina Courage	v.  Norway, 28 October 2025
MF	Yuzuho Shiokoshi (塩越 柚歩)	(1997-11-01) 1 November 1997	9	2	Tokyo Verdy Beleza	2025 EAFF E-1 Football Championship
MF	Yume Takikawa (滝川 結女)	(1999-08-31) 31 August 1999	2	1	Albirex Niigata	2025 EAFF E-1 Football Championship
MF	Oto Kanno (菅野 奏音)	(2000-10-13) 13 October 2000	2	0	Tokyo Verdy Beleza	2025 EAFF E-1 Football Championship
MF	Miu Kitamura (北村 美羽)	(2001-10-21) 21 October 2001	2	0	JEF United Chiba	2025 EAFF E-1 Football Championship
MF	Hina Sugita (杉田 妃和)	(1997-01-31) 31 January 1997	51	3	Angel City FC	v.  Spain, 27 June 2025
FW	Mami Ueno (上野 真実)	(1996-09-27) 27 September 1996	15	1	Sanfrecce Hiroshima Regina	2025 EAFF E-1 Football Championship
FW	Miyu Yakata (矢形 海優)	(1999-12-30) 30 December 1999	3	1	Mynavi Sendai	2025 EAFF E-1 Football Championship
FW	Haruna Aikawa (愛川 陽菜)	(2003-12-04) 4 December 2003	3	0	INAC Kobe Leonessa	2025 EAFF E-1 Football Championship
FW	Moka Hiwatari (樋渡 百花)	(2005-10-09) 9 October 2005	2	0	Tokyo Verdy Beleza	2025 EAFF E-1 Football Championship
FW	Haruka Osawa (大澤 春花)	(2001-04-15) 15 April 2001	2	0	VfB Stuttgart	2025 EAFF E-1 Football Championship
FW	Megu Hamada (浜田 芽来)	(2000-12-27) 27 December 2000	1	0	RB Omiya Ardija	2025 EAFF E-1 Football Championship
Notes

Bold indicates winning squads

Bold indicates current captain

• Yumi Obe (?–2004)
• Hiromi Ikeda (2004–2008)
• Homare Sawa (2008–2012)
• Aya Miyama (2012–2016)
• Saki Kumagai (2016–2025)
• Yui Hasegawa (2025–present)^[45]

As of 17 April 2026 ^[46]

Players in bold are still active with the national team.

• FIFA Women's World Cup

Champions: 2011

Runners-up: 2015

• Olympic Games

Runners-up: 2012

• AFC Women's Asian Cup

Champions: 2014, 2018, 2026

Runners-up: 1986, 1991, 1995, 2001

• Asian Games

Champions: 2010, 2018, 2022

Runners-up: 1990, 1994, 2006, 2014

• EAFF E-1 Football Championship

Champions: 2008, 2010, 2019, 2022

Runners-up: 2013, 2017

• Algarve Cup

Runners-up: 2012, 2014

• SheBelieves Cup

Champions: 2025^[52]

Runners-up: 2023

  Champions    Runners-up    Third place    Fourth place  

FIFA Women's World Cup record
Year	Result	Pld	W	D*	L	GF	GA	GD	Squad	Coach
1991	Group stage	3	0	0	3	0	12	−12	Squad	Tamotsu Suzuki
1995	Quarter-finals	4	1	0	3	2	8	−6	Squad
1999	Group stage	3	0	1	2	1	10	−9	Squad	Satoshi Miyauchi
2003		3	1	0	2	7	6	+1	Squad	Eiji Ueda
2007		3	1	1	1	3	4	−1	Squad	Hiroshi Ohashi
2011	Champions	6	4	1	1	12	6	+6	Squad	Norio Sasaki
2015	Runners-up	7	6	0	1	11	8	+3	Squad	Norio Sasaki
2019	Round of 16	4	1	1	2	3	5	−2	Squad	Asako Takakura
2023	Quarter-finals	5	4	0	1	15	3	+12	Squad	Futoshi Ikeda
2027	Qualified
2031	To be determined
2035
Total:10/10	1 Title	38	18	4	16	54	62	−8

*Draws include knockout matches decided on penalty kicks.

FIFA Women's World Cup history
Year	Round	Date	Opponent	Result	Stadium
1991	Group stage	17 November	Brazil	L 0–1	New Plaza Stadium, Foshan
		19 November	Sweden	L 0–8
		21 November	United States	L 0–3
1995	Group stage	5 June	Germany	L 0–1	Tingvallen, Karlstad
		7 June	Brazil	W 2–1
		9 June	Sweden	L 0–2	Arosvallen, Västerås
	Quarter-finals	13 June	United States	L 0–4	Strömvallen, Gävle
1999	Group stage	19 June	Canada	D 1–1	Spartan Stadium, San Jose
		23 June	Russia	L 0–5	Civic Stadium, Portland
		26 June	Norway	L 0–4	Soldier Field, Chicago
2003	Group stage	20 September	Argentina	W 6–0	Columbus Crew Stadium, Columbus
		24 September	Germany	L 0–3
		27 September	Canada	L 1–3	Gillette Stadium, Foxborough
2007	Group stage	11 September	England	D 2–2	Hongkou Stadium, Shanghai
		14 September	Argentina	W 1–0
		17 September	Germany	L 0–2	Yellow Dragon Sports Center, Hangzhou
2011	Group stage	27 June	New Zealand	W 2–1	Ruhrstadion, Bochum
		1 July	Mexico	W 4–0	BayArena, Leverkusen
		5 July	England	L 0–2	Impuls Arena, Augsburg
	Quarter-finals	9 July	Germany	W 1–0	Volkswagen-Arena, Wolfsburg
	Semi-finals	13 July	Sweden	W 3–1	Commerzbank-Arena, Frankfurt
	Final	17 July	United States	D 2–2 (3–1 p)
2015	Group stage	8 June	Switzerland	W 1–0	BC Place, Vancouver
		12 June	Cameroon	W 2–1
		16 June	Ecuador	W 1–0	Winnipeg Stadium, Winnipeg
	Round of 16	23 June	Netherlands	W 2–1	BC Place, Vancouver
	Quarter-finals	27 June	Australia	W 1–0	Commonwealth Stadium, Edmonton
	Semi-finals	1 July	England	W 2–1
	Final	5 July	United States	L 2–5	BC Place, Vancouver
2019	Group stage	10 June	Argentina	D 0–0	Parc des Princes, Paris
		14 June	Scotland	W 2–1	Roazhon Park, Rennes
		19 June	England	L 0–2	Allianz Riviera, Nice
	Round of 16	25 June	Netherlands	L 1–2	Roazhon Park, Rennes
2023	Group stage	22 July	Zambia	W 5–0	Waikato Stadium, Hamilton
		26 July	Costa Rica	W 2–0	Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin
		31 July	Spain	W 4–0	Wellington Regional Stadium, Wellington
	Round of 16	5 August	Norway	W 3–1
	Quarter-finals	11 August	Sweden	L 1–2	Eden Park, Auckland

Summer Olympics record
Year	Result	Pld	W	D*	L	GF	GA	GD	Squad	Coach
1996	Round 1	3	0	0	3	2	9	−7	Squad	Tamotsu Suzuki
2000	Did not qualify
2004	Quarter-finals	3	1	0	2	2	3	−1	Squad	Eiji Ueda
2008	Fourth place	6	2	1	3	11	10	+1	Squad	Norio Sasaki
2012	Runners-up	6	3	2	1	7	4	+3	Squad	Norio Sasaki
2016	Did not qualify
2020	Quarter-finals	4	1	1	2	3	5	−2	Squad	Asako Takakura
2024		4	2	0	2	6	5	+1	Squad	Futoshi Ikeda
Total:6/8	Runners-up	26	9	4	13	31	36	−5	—	—

*Draws include knockout matches decided via penalty shoot-out.

Summer Olympics history
Year	Round	Date	Opponent	Result	Stadium
1996	Group stage	21 July	Germany	L 2–3	Legion Field, Birmingham
		23 July	Brazil	L 0–2
		25 July	Norway	L 0–4	RFK Stadium, Washington, D.C.
2004	Group stage	11 August	Sweden	W 1–0	Panthessaliko Stadium, Volos
		14 August	Nigeria	L 0–1	Karaiskaki Stadium, Athens
	Quarter-finals	20 August	United States	L 1–2	Kaftanzoglio Stadium, Thessaloniki
2008	Group stage	6 August	New Zealand	D 2–2	Qinhuangdao Olympic Sports Center Stadium, Qinhuangdao
		9 August	United States	L 0–1
		12 August	Norway	W 5–1	Shanghai Stadium, Shanghai
	Quarter-finals	15 August	China	W 2–0	Qinhuangdao Olympic Sports Center Stadium, Qinhuangdao
	Semi-finals	18 August	United States	L 2–4	Workers Stadium, Beijing
	Bronze medal	21 August	Germany	L 0–2
2012	Group stage	25 July	Canada	W 2–1	City of Coventry Stadium, Coventry
		28 July	Sweden	D 0–0
		31 July	South Africa	D 0–0	Millennium Stadium, Cardiff
	Quarter-finals	3 August	Brazil	W 2–0
	Semi-finals	6 August	France	W 2–1	Wembley Stadium, London
	Gold medal	9 August	United States	L 1–2
2020	Group stage	21 July	Canada	D 1–1	Sapporo Dome, Sapporo
		24 July	Great Britain	L 0–1
		27 July	Chile	W 1–0	Miyagi Stadium, Rifu
	Quarter-finals	30 July	Sweden	L 1–3	Saitama Stadium 2002, Saitama
2024	Group stage	25 July	Spain	L 1–2	Stade de la Beaujoire, Nantes
		28 July	Brazil	W 2–1	Parc des Princes, Paris
		31 July	Nigeria	W 3–1	Stade de la Beaujoire, Nantes
	Quarter-finals	3 August	United States	L 0–1 (a.e.t.)	Parc des Princes, Paris

AFC Women's Asian Cup												Qualification
Hosts / Year	Result	M	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Squad	Coach		M	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD
1975	Did not enter											No Qualification
1977	Group Stage	2	0	0	2	0	8	−8	Squad
1980	Did not enter
1981	Group stage	3	1	0	2	1	3	−2	Squad
1983	Did not enter
1986	Runners-up	4	2	0	2	14	4	+10	Squad
1989	Third place	5	4	0	1	37	1	+36	Squad
1991	Runners-up	6	4	1	1	27	6	+21	Squad
1993	Third place	5	4	0	1	29	4	+25	Squad
1995	Runners-up	5	4	0	1	27	3	+24	Squad
1997	Third place	5	4	0	1	33	1	+32	Squad
1999	Fourth place	6	4	0	2	36	6	+30	Squad
2001	Runners-up	6	4	0	2	30	5	+25	Squad
2003	Fourth place	6	4	0	2	34	4	+30	Squad
2006		5	3	0	2	19	6	+13	Squad			Directly Qualified
2008	Third place	5	3	0	2	19	7	+12	Squad
2010		5	4	0	1	16	2	+14	Squad	Norio Sasaki
2014	Champions	5	4	1	0	16	3	+13	Squad	Norio Sasaki
2018		5	3	2	0	9	2	+7	Squad	Asako Takakura
2022	Semi-finals	5	3	2	0	18	3	+15	Squad	Futoshi Ikeda
2026	Champions	6	6	0	0	29	1	+28	Squad	Nils Nielsen
Total:18/21	3 Titles	89	61	6	22	394	69	+325	—	—		0	0	0	0	0	0	0

• Draws include knockout matches decided on penalty kicks.
• A Japanese representative side FC Jinnan representing Japan participated in the 1977 AFC Women's Championship.^[7][8]

Asian Games record
Host	Result	M	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Squad	Coach
1990	Runners-up	5	3	1	1	17	8	+9	Squad	Tamotsu Suzuki
1994		4	2	1	1	9	3	+6	Squad
1998	Third place	5	3	0	2	18	7	+11	Squad	Satoshi Miyauchi
2002		5	3	1	1	8	3	+5	Squad	Eiji Ueda
2006	Runners-up	5	4	1	0	21	1	+20	Squad	Hiroshi Ohashi
2010	Champions	4	3	1	0	6	0	+6	Squad	Norio Sasaki
2014	Runners-up	6	4	1	1	28	3	+25	Squad
2018	Champions	5	5	0	0	14	2	+12	Squad	Asako Takakura
2022		6	6	0	0	39	5	+34	Squad	Michihisa Kano
2026
2030
Total	7/7	34	22	6	6	107	25	+82	—	—

*Draws include knockout matches decided on penalty kicks.

• The 2022 edition was rescheduled to September–October 2023; as a result, Japan will send a B team with a separate coaching staff while the senior team competes in its regularly scheduled matches in the September 2023 FIFA international window.^[53]

EAFF E-1 Football Championship record
Host	Result	M	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Squad	Coach
2005	Third place	3	0	2	1	0	1	−1	Squad
2008	Champions	3	3	0	0	8	2	+6	Squad
2010		3	3	0	0	7	1	+6	Squad
2013	Runners-up	3	1	1	1	3	2	+1	Squad
2015	Third place	3	1	0	2	5	6	−1	Squad	Norio Sasaki
2017	Runners-up	3	2	0	1	4	4	0	Squad	Asako Takakura
2019	Champions	3	3	0	0	13	0	+13	Squad
2022		3	2	1	0	6	2	+4	Squad	Futoshi Ikeda
2025	Third place	3	1	2	0	5	1	+4	Squad	Nils Nilsen
Total	9/9	27	17	5	5	51	19	+32	—	—

*Draws include knockout matches decided on penalty kicks.

EAFF E-1 Football Championship history
Year	Round	Opponent	Score	Result
2005	First match	North Korea	0–1	Loss
	Second match	China	0–0	Draw
	Third match	South Korea	0–0	Draw
2008	First match	North Korea	3–2	Win
	Second match	South Korea	2–0	Win
	Third match	South Korea	3–0	Win
2010	First match	China	2–0	Win
	Second match	Chinese Taipei	3–0	Win
	Third match	South Korea	2–1	Win
2013	First match	China	2–0	Win
	Second match	North Korea	0–0	Draw
	Third match	South Korea	1–2	Loss
2015	First match	North Korea	2–4	Loss
	Second match	South Korea	1–2	Loss
	Third match	China	2–0	Win
2017	First match	South Korea	3–2	Win
	Second match	China	1–0	Win
	Third match	North Korea	0–2	Loss
2019	First match	Chinese Taipei	7–0	Win
	Second match	China	3–0	Win
	Third match	South Korea	1–0	Win
2022	First match	South Korea	2–1	Win
	Second match	Chinese Taipei	4–1	Win
	Third match	China	0–0	Draw
2025	First match	Chinese Taipei
	Second match	South Korea
	Third match	China

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."^[54]

Algarve Cup record
Year	Result	Matches	Wins	Draws	Losses	GF	GA	GD	Squad	Coach
1994–2010	Did not enter
2011	3rd place	4	3	0	1	9	3	+6	Squad
2012	2nd place	4	3	0	1	8	5	+3	Squad	Norio Sasaki
2013	5th place	4	2	0	2	4	4	0	Squad
2014	2nd place	4	2	1	1	4	5	−1	Squad
2015	9th place	4	2	0	2	7	5	+2	Squad
2016	Did not enter
2017	6th place	4	2	0	2	7	5	+2	Squad	Asako Takakura
2018	6th place	4	2	0	2	6	9	−3	Squad
2019–2023	Did not enter
Total	7/27	28	16	1	11	45	36	+9	—	—

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

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

SheBelieves Cup record
Year	Result	Matches	Wins	Draws	Losses	GF	GA	Squad	Coach
2016–2018	Did not enter
2019	Third place	3	1	1	1	5	6	Squad	Asako Takakura
2020	Fourth place	3	0	0	3	2	7	Squad
2021	Withdrew due to the COVID-19 pandemic[55]
2022	Did not enter
2023	Runners-up	3	1	0	2	3	2	Squad	Futoshi Ikeda
2024	Fourth place	2	0	1	1	2	3	Squad
2025	Champions	3	3	0	0	10	2	Squad	Nils Nielsen
Total	5/10	14	5	2	7	22	20

SheBelieves Cup history
Year	Round	Opponent	Score	Result
2019	First match	United States	2–2	Draw
	Second match	Brazil	3–1	Win
	Third match	England	0–3	Loss
2020	First match	Spain	1–3	Loss
	Second match	England	0–1	Loss
	Third match	United States	1–3	Loss
2023	First match	Brazil	0–1	Loss
	Second match	United States	0–1	Loss
	Third match	Canada	3–0	Win
2024	First match	United States	1–2	Loss
	Second match	Brazil	2–2 (0–3 (p))	Draw
2025	First match	Australia	4–0	Win
	Second match	Colombia	4–1	Win
	Third match	United States	2–1	Win

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.^[56] 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.^[57] 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.^[58]

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

Tournament of Nations history
Year	Round	Opponent	Score	Result
2017	First match	Brazil	1–1	Draw
	Second match	Australia	2–4	Loss
	Third match	United States	0–3	Loss
2018	First match	United States	2–4	Loss
	Second match	Brazil	1–2	Loss
	Third match	Australia	0–2	Loss

Men's national teams

• 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 national teams

• Japan women's national under-20 football team
• Japan women's national under-17 football team
• Japan women's national futsal team

• Official website