Lausanne, Switzerland, April 25, 2019 – Japan’s women’s team continue their build-up to the start of the 2019 FIVB Volleyball Nations League (VNL) at the Ajinomoto National Training Centre in Tokyo.
Japan begin their VNL campaign in Ruse in Bulgaria where they take on Bulgaria, Belgium and USA from May 21 to 23. In week two they travel to Ankara, Turkey where they will also face Germany and Russia, then in week three they face China, Italy and the Netherlands in Hong Kong.
“We have many young players selected,” team captain Nana Iwasaka said, “but we want to unite the team for the World Cup by fusing what we have done with the new power.”
Ishikawa Makoto was one of the young players chosen and said, “I was surprised to hear that I was elected, but I was happy. I learned a lot and I will do my best to be able to grow further.”
Japan - Players and team staff
In week four Japan will play in front of their own fans in Tokyo where Serbia, Thailand and Brazil are the opponents. They conclude pool play in Boryeong, Korea where Poland and the Dominican Republic complete the quartet. If Japan do reach the Finals, they will travel to Nanjing in China from July 3 to 7.
In 2018 Japan finished in 10th place after the pool rounds and failed to reach the Finals.
Before they start the VNL they will compete at the Montreux Masters in Switzerland where their pool opponents are China, Germany and Poland. Once the VNL finishes they will take part in the Japan 2019 FIVB Volleyball World Cup Japan that takes place from September 14 to 29.