TheJapan women's national football team (Japanese:サッカー日本女子代表,Hepburn:Sakkā Nippon Joshi Daihyō), commonly known asNadeshiko Japan (なでしこジャパン),[3] representsJapan inwomen's association football and is run by theJapan Football Association (JFA). One of the two countries to win everyFIFA competition and the most successful women's national team in the Asian Football Confederation, its highest ranking in theFIFA Women's World Rankings is 3rd, achieved in December 2011.[4]
Nadeshiko Japan defeated theUnited States in the2011 FIFA Women's World Cup Final, thus claiming their firstFIFA 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 the2012 Summer Olympics and the2015 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 the2014 and2018 AFC Women's Asian Cups, the2010 and2018 Asian Games, and the2008,2010, and2019EAFF 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, the1977 AFC Women's Championship. But this team was not actually a national team, since theJapan 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 the1981 AFC Women's Championship[9] andSeiki Ichihara managed as the first Japan national team manager.[2] The first match againstChinese 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, withTakao 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 the1986 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 the1996 Summer Olympics and the1995 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 the2000 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, theJapan Football Association appointedEiji Ueda, who had been coach for theMacau national football team, as the new head coach. Officials expected a revitalization of women's football and planned a team reorganization, aiming for the2004 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 ofdianthus, comes from the phrase "Yamato Nadeshiko" (大和撫子, "ideal Japanese woman").
Japan facedGermany,Canada andArgentina for the2003 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 the2007 FIFA Women's World Cup held in China, they again faced Germany and Argentina, withEngland 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 fromHomare Sawa andYuki 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 byKate 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).
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After finishing third in the2010 AFC Women's Asian Cup, Japan qualified for the FIFA Women's World Cup 2011finals in Germany. There were certain doubts whether Nadeshiko would play in that tournament due to the2011 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 behindEngland, Japan shocked the world beating two-time defending champion and host nationGermany 1–0 in the quarterfinals, before easily defeatingSweden 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 theFIFA Women's World Cup, and the first Asian team to win a seniorFIFA title.[12][13] It came right aftermen's team won the2011 AFC Asian Cup, marked their most successful year in Japanese football.
Japan qualified for the2012 Summer Olympics by finishing first in theAsian qualifier in September 2011, only 6 weeks after winning the Women's World Cup. At the Olympics, after finishing second in their group behindSweden,Nadeshiko Japan defeatedBrazil 2–0 in the quarterfinals, followed by a 2–1 victory overFrance, 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 toCarli Lloyd in the 8th and 54th minutes.Yūki Ōgimi scored the lone goal for Japan.[14]
TheJapan Football Association (JFA) was accused ofsexism, after flying the men's Olympic team onbusiness class and the women's team oneconomy class.[15]
Despite having won aFIFA Women's World Cup in 2011, Japan entered the2014 Asian Cup having never previously won the tournament. They were drawn with defending championsAustralia, hostVietnam and newcomerJordan.[citation needed] 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.[citation needed]
In the semi-final, Japan beat eight-time championsChina 2–1 after 120'. In the final, they met Australia once again and successfully earned a 1–0 win withAzusa 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 theFIFA Women's World Cup andAFC Women's Asian Cup.[citation needed] Because of their top placement in the tournament, Japan, Australia, China,South Korea and newcomerThailand secured their spot at the2015 FIFA Women's World Cup to be played in Canada the following year.[17]
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Japan, then fourth in the world, was drawn into Group C for the2015 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 midfielderCarli Lloyd scoring a hat trick in the process. Yuki Ogimi brought Japan one back in the 27th minute, and an own goal fromJulie Johnston halved the American lead, butTobin 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 fromMana Iwabuchi and two goals fromKumi 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 the2012 Olympics, it failed to qualify for the2016 Olympics while theWorld 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 overScotland (2–1) a goalless draw againstArgentina (0–0) as well as a defeat againstEngland (0–2) in the last group match for first place ingroup D. The Japanese find theNetherlands at the same stage of the competition as 4 years earlier, but the confrontation this time turns to the advantage of theOranje who take their revenge and eliminated Japan by the same score by which they had lost in2015 (1–2).
Japan is encountering the same difficulties during the2020 Olympic Games organized at home and postponed by a year due to theCOVID-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 againstChile (1–0) to finish among the 2 best 3rd in the group, having had a few scares with a header from the ChileanFrancisca 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 againstCanada after being behind and missing a penalty, 0–1 defeat againstGreat Britain), confirms its difficulties against to the big teams like this first round and the 2019 World Cup by falling in the next round againstSweden (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 inGroup 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 againstSpain, 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 theFIFA Women's World Cup since 2011. This is often compared to Japan 2-1 Spain in2022 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 beatNorway 3–1[23] and advanced to the quarter-finals for the first time since2015. FacingSweden, another Scandinavian in the quarter-finals, Japan was hailed as favorite due to their four consecutive wins at this World Cup, but, unfortunately for theNadeshiko, they were unable to create as many chances as they did against Norway. Japan found themselves trailing by 2 goals to nothing at halftime, andHonoka 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 eliminatingNorth Korea in the third round of the2024 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 againstSpain, they opened the score with a beautiful free-kick shoot fromAoba Fujino, but the Spanish came back by winning 2-1 with the goals ofAitana Bonmatí andMariona Caldentey. AgainstBrazil in the second match, the Nadeshiko was losing the match by 1-0 until the final stoppage time when a penalty kick ofSaki Kumagai and a 40-meter goal shot fromMomoko 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 againstNigeria, the Japanese qualified to the quarter-finals winning the Nigerians by 3-1 with goals fromMaika Hamano,Mina Tanaka and a free-kick fromHikaru Kitagawa. Although they made a great match againstUnited States in the quarter-finals, Japan was eliminated losing to the Americans by 1-0 due to a goal ofTrinity Rodman in extra time. At the end, Nadeshiko Japan end the Paris campaign in the fifth place, the best of the non-semifinalists.[24]
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 wordYamato 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 theJapan Football Association in 2004 after a fan vote during theAthens 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”.[25]
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 ofAFC Women's Asian Cup title matches and aFIFA 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 withChina. 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 andSouth 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 isUnited States. Both teams created the rivalry in the 1980s and both teams have always faced each other in decisive instances, including two consecutiveFIFA Women's World Cup finals recently in 2011 and 2015.
| 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:[26]
The following is a list of match results in the last 12 months, as well as any future matches that have been scheduled.
Win Draw Loss Fixtures
v Australia| 20 FebruarySheBelieves Cup | Japan | 4–0 | Australia | Houston, United States |
| 16:00 UTC−6 | Report | Stadium:Shell Energy Stadium Attendance: 5,243 |
v Japan| 23 FebruarySheBelieves Cup | Colombia | 1–4 | Japan | Glendale, United States |
| 13:00 UTC−7 |
| Report (USS) Report (JFA) | Stadium:State Farm Stadium Attendance: 12,624 Referee: Alex Billeter (USA) |
v Japan| 26 FebruarySheBelieves Cup | United States | 1–2 | Japan | San Diego, United States |
| 19:30 UTC−8 |
| Report | Stadium:Snapdragon Stadium Attendance: 17,188 |
v Colombia| 6 AprilFriendly | Japan | 1–1 | Colombia | Osaka, Japan |
| 14:00 UTC+9 | Takahashi 90+4' (pen.) | Report | Torres 35' | Stadium:Yodoko Sakura Stadium Attendance: 8,381 Referee: Oh Hyeon-jeong (South Korea) |
v Colombia| 8 AprilUnofficial Friendly | Japan | 6–1 | Colombia | Sakai, Japan |
| Report |
| Attendance: 500 |
v Japan| 30 MayFriendly | Brazil | 3–1 | Japan | São Paulo, Brazil |
| 21:30 UTC−3 | Report |
| Stadium:Arena Corinthians |
v Japan| 2 JuneFriendly | Brazil | 2–1 | Japan | São Paulo, Brazil |
| 20:00 UTC−3 | Report |
| Stadium:Estádio Cícero de Souza Marques |
v Japan| 27 JuneFriendly | Spain | 3–1 | Japan | Leganés, Spain |
| 21:00 UTC+2 | Pina 44' López 66'Del Castillo 88' | Report | Tanaka 30' | Stadium:Butarque Attendance: 9,458 Referee:Milica Milovanović (Serbia) |
v
Chinese Taipei| 9 JulyEAFF E-1 Football Championship | Japan | 4–0 | Chinese Taipei | Suwon, South Korea |
| 16:30 UTC+9 | Report (EAFF) Report (JFA) | Stadium:Suwon World Cup Stadium Attendance: 193 Referee: Pansa Chaisanit (Thailand) |
v South Korea| 13 JulyEAFF E-1 Football Championship | Japan | 1–1 | South Korea | Hwaseong, South Korea |
| 20:00 UTC+9 |
| Report (EAFF) Report (JFA) |
| Stadium:Hwaseong Sports Complex Attendance: 1,641 Referee: Tam Ping Wun (Hong Kong) |
v China| 16 JulyEAFF E-1 Football Championship | Japan | 0–0 | China | Suwon, South Korea |
| 16:00 UTC+9 | Report (EAFF) Report (JFA) | Stadium:Suwon World Cup Stadium Attendance: 323 Referee: Pansa Chaisanit (Thailand) |
v Japan| 25 OctoberFriendly | Italy | 1–1 | Japan | Como, Italy |
| 18:15 UTC+2 | Greggi 52' | Source (JFA) | Hasegawa 64' | Stadium:Stadio Giuseppe Sinigaglia |
v Japan| 28 OctoberFriendly | Norway | 2–0 | Japan | La Línea, Spain |
| 18:00 UTC+1 |
| Report | Stadium:Estadio Municipal de La Línea Attendance: 30 Referee: Teresa Oliveira (Portugal) |
v Canada| 29 NovemberMS&AD Cup | Japan | v | Canada | Nagasaki, Japan |
| 15:30 UTC+9 | Source (JFA) | Stadium:Peace Stadium |
v Chinese Taipei| 4 MarchAFC Women's Asian Cup GS | Japan | v | Chinese Taipei | Perth, Australia |
| Stadium:Perth Rectangular Stadium |
v Japan| 7 MarchAFC Women's Asian Cup GS | India | v | Japan | Perth, Australia |
| Stadium:Perth Rectangular Stadium |
v Vietnam| 10 MarchAFC Women's Asian Cup GS | Japan | v | Vietnam | Perth, Australia |
| Stadium:Perth Rectangular Stadium |
| Results by year[27] | FIFA ranking by year[28] | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Pld | W | D | L | Win % | FR | BR | WR | BC | BF |
| Total | 18 | 10 | 3 | 5 | 055.56 | 7 | 3 | 14 |  5 |  4 |
| 2025 | 6 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 050.00 | |||||
| 2024 | 12 | 7 | 2 | 3 | 058.33 | |||||
|
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| Role | Name | Start date | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Head coach |  Nils Nielsen | 12 December 2024 | [31] |
| Assistant coach | Michihisa Kano [ja] | 5 January 2025 | [32] |
| Assistant coach | Leah Blayney | 5 January 2025 | [33] |
| Goalkeeper coach | Toshihiro Nishiiri | 5 January 2025 | [32] |
| Physical trainer | Ryugo Okamoto | 5 January 2025 | [32] |
| Technical director | Mitsumasa Kosugi | 5 January 2025 | [32] |
| 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–present | 6 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 50% |
The following players were called up for thefriendly against Canada on 29 November 2025.[34]
| 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 30) | 83 | 0 | Manchester City |
| 12 | 1GK | Chika Hirao (平尾 知佳) | (1996-12-31)31 December 1996 (age 28) | 12 | 0 | Granada |
| 23 | 1GK | Akane Okuma (大熊 茜) | (2004-09-15)15 September 2004 (age 21) | 1 | 0 | INAC Kobe Leonessa |
| 2 | 2DF | Yu Endo (遠藤 優) | (1997-10-29)29 October 1997 (age 28) | 2 | 0 | West Ham United |
| 3 | 2DF | Moeka Minami (南 萌華) | (1998-12-07)7 December 1998 (age 26) | 63 | 5 | Brighton & Hove Albion |
| 4 | 2DF | Saki Kumagai (熊谷 紗希) | (1990-10-17)17 October 1990 (age 35) | 163 | 3 | London City Lionesses |
| 5 | 2DF | Hana Takahashi (高橋 はな) | (2000-02-19)19 February 2000 (age 25) | 41 | 5 | Urawa Reds |
| 6 | 2DF | Tōko Koga (古賀 塔子) | (2006-01-06)6 January 2006 (age 19) | 21 | 2 | Tottenham Hotspur |
| 13 | 2DF | Hikaru Kitagawa (北川 ひかる) | (1997-05-10)10 May 1997 (age 28) | 21 | 2 | Everton |
| 18 | 2DF | Uno Shiragaki (白垣 うの) | (2005-10-11)11 October 2005 (age 20) | 1 | 0 | Cerezo Osaka Yanmar |
| 21 | 2DF | Miyabi Moriya (守屋 都弥) | (1996-08-22)22 August 1996 (age 29) | 20 | 2 | Angel City FC |
| 22 | 2DF | Rion Ishikawa (石川 璃音) | (2003-07-04)4 July 2003 (age 22) | 13 | 0 | Everton |
| 7 | 3MF | Hinata Miyazawa (宮澤 ひなた) | (1999-11-28)28 November 1999 (age 25) | 51 | 9 | Manchester United |
| 10 | 3MF | Fuka Nagano (長野 風花) | (1999-03-09)9 March 1999 (age 26) | 52 | 1 | Liverpool |
| 14 | 3MF | Yui Hasegawa (長谷川 唯) | (1997-01-29)29 January 1997 (age 28) | 95 | 21 | Manchester City |
| 15 | 3MF | Aoba Fujino (藤野 あおば) | (2004-01-27)27 January 2004 (age 21) | 34 | 8 | Manchester City |
| 16 | 3MF | Narumi Miura (三浦 成美) | (1997-07-03)3 July 1997 (age 28) | 35 | 1 | Washington Spirit |
| 17 | 3MF | Maika Hamano (浜野 まいか) | (2004-05-09)9 May 2004 (age 21) | 24 | 6 | Chelsea |
| 19 | 3MF | Momoko Tanikawa (谷川 萌々子) | (2005-05-07)7 May 2005 (age 20) | 13 | 3 | Bayern Munich |
| 20 | 3MF | Manaka Matsukubo (松窪 真心) | (2004-07-28)28 July 2004 (age 21) | 8 | 0 | North Carolina Courage |
| 24 | 3MF | Yui Narumiya (成宮 唯) | (1995-02-22)22 February 1995 (age 30) | 12 | 5 | INAC Kobe Leonessa |
| 25 | 3MF | Yoshino Nakashima (中嶋 淑乃) | (1999-07-27)27 July 1999 (age 26) | 10 | 2 | Sanfrecce Hiroshima Regina |
| 26 | 3MF | Riko Yoshida (吉田 莉胡) | (2002-06-18)18 June 2002 (age 23) | 3 | 0 | INAC Kobe Leonessa |
| 8 | 4FW | Kiko Seike (清家 貴子) | (1996-08-08)8 August 1996 (age 29) | 32 | 9 | Brighton & Hove Albion |
| 9 | 4FW | Riko Ueki (植木 理子) | (1999-07-30)30 July 1999 (age 26) | 45 | 12 | West Ham United |
| 11 | 4FW | Mina Tanaka (田中 美南) | (1994-04-28)28 April 1994 (age 31) | 95 | 44 | Utah Royals |
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 (age 28) | 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 (age 26) | 0 | 0 | Angel City FC | v. Spain, 27 June 2025 |
| GK | Runa Konomi (木稲 瑠那) | (2000-08-06)6 August 2000 (age 25) | 0 | 0 | Sanfrecce Hiroshima Regina | v. Colombia, 8 April 2025 |
| DF | Risa Shimizu (清水 梨紗) | (1996-06-15)15 June 1996 (age 29) | 82 | 4 | Liverpool | v. Norway, 28 October 2025 |
| DF | Jun Endo (遠藤 純) | (2000-05-24)24 May 2000 (age 25) | 45 | 5 | Angel City FC | v. Norway, 28 October 2025 |
| DF | Shiori Miyake (三宅 史織) | (1995-10-13)13 October 1995 (age 30) | 43 | 0 | INAC Kobe Leonessa | 2025 EAFF E-1 Football Championship |
| DF | Chisato Ichinose (市瀬 千里) | (1999-06-07)7 June 1999 (age 26) | 1 | 0 | Sanfrecce Hiroshima Regina | 2025 EAFF E-1 Football Championship |
| DF | Hana Shimada (嶋田 華) | (2002-12-18)18 December 2002 (age 22) | 2 | 0 | Sanfrecce Hiroshima Regina | 2025 EAFF E-1 Football Championship |
| DF | Saori Takarada (宝田 沙織) | (1999-12-27)27 December 1999 (age 25) | 25 | 1 | Cerezo Osaka Yanmar | v. Spain, 27 June 2025 |
| DF | Remina Chiba (千葉 玲海菜) | (1999-04-30)30 April 1999 (age 26) | 20 | 4 | Eintracht Frankfurt | v. Brazil, 2 June 2025 |
| DF | Rio Sasaki (佐々木 里緒) | (2004-09-17)17 September 2004 (age 21) | 1 | 0 | Mynavi Sendai | v. Colombia, 8 April 2025 |
| MF | Yuka Momiki (籾木 結花) | (1996-04-09)9 April 1996 (age 29) | 48 | 15 | Everton | v. Norway, 28 October 2025 |
| MF | Shinomi Koyama (小山 史乃観) | (2005-01-31)31 January 2005 (age 20) | 1 | 0 | North Carolina Courage | v. Norway, 28 October 2025 |
| MF | Yuzuki Yamamoto (山本 柚月) | (2002-09-01)1 September 2002 (age 23) | 5 | 0 | Tokyo Verdy Beleza | v. Italy, 24 October 2025INJ |
| MF | Oto Kanno (菅野 奏音) | (2000-10-13)13 October 2000 (age 25) | 2 | 0 | Tokyo Verdy Beleza | 2025 EAFF E-1 Football Championship |
| MF | Miu Kitamura (北村 美羽) | (2001-10-21)21 October 2001 (age 24) | 2 | 0 | JEF United Chiba | 2025 EAFF E-1 Football Championship |
| MF | Yuzuho Shiokoshi (塩越 柚歩) | (1997-11-01)1 November 1997 (age 28) | 9 | 2 | Tokyo Verdy Beleza | 2025 EAFF E-1 Football Championship |
| MF | Yume Takikawa (滝川 結女) | (1999-08-31)31 August 1999 (age 26) | 2 | 1 | Albirex Niigata | 2025 EAFF E-1 Football Championship |
| MF | Maya Hijikata (土方 麻椰) | (2004-04-13)13 April 2004 (age 21) | 0 | 0 | Aston Villa | 2025 EAFF E-1 Football ChampionshipINJ |
| MF | Hina Sugita (杉田 妃和) | (1997-01-31)31 January 1997 (age 28) | 51 | 3 | Angel City FC | v. Spain, 27 June 2025 |
| MF | Miharu Shinjo (眞城 美春) | (2007-02-05)5 February 2007 (age 18) | 0 | 0 | Tokyo Verdy Beleza | v. Colombia, 8 April 2025 |
| MF | Honoka Hayashi (林 穂之香) | (1998-05-19)19 May 1998 (age 27) | 38 | 2 | Everton | 2025 SheBelieves Cup |
| FW | Miyu Yakata (矢形 海優) | (1999-12-30)30 December 1999 (age 25) | 3 | 1 | Mynavi Sendai | 2025 EAFF E-1 Football Championship |
| FW | Mami Ueno (上野 真実) | (1996-09-27)27 September 1996 (age 29) | 15 | 1 | Sanfrecce Hiroshima Regina | 2025 EAFF E-1 Football Championship |
| FW | Haruka Osawa (大澤 春花) | (2001-04-15)15 April 2001 (age 24) | 2 | 0 | VfB Stuttgart | 2025 EAFF E-1 Football Championship |
| FW | Megu Hamada (浜田 芽来) | (2000-12-27)27 December 2000 (age 24) | 1 | 0 | RB Omiya Ardija | 2025 EAFF E-1 Football Championship |
| FW | Moka Hiwatari (樋渡 百花) | (2005-10-09)9 October 2005 (age 20) | 2 | 0 | Tokyo Verdy Beleza | 2025 EAFF E-1 Football Championship |
| FW | Haruna Aikawa (愛川 陽菜) | (2003-12-04)4 December 2003 (age 21) | 3 | 0 | INAC Kobe Leonessa | 2025 EAFF E-1 Football Championship |
| ||||||
|
|
|
Bold indicates current captain
*Players inbold are still active, at least at club level.
| # | Player | Year(s) | Caps | Goals | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Homare Sawa | 1993–2015 | 205 | 83 | [37] |
| 2 | Aya Miyama | 2003–2016 | 162 | 38 | [38] |
| 3 | Saki Kumagai | 2008–present | 158 | 3 | [39] |
| 4 | Shinobu Ohno | 2003–2016 | 139 | 40 | [40] |
| 5 | Yuki Nagasato | 2004–2016 | 132 | 58 | [41] |
| 6 | Kozue Ando | 1999–2015 | 126 | 19 | [42] |
| 7 | Mizuho Sakaguchi | 2006–2019 | 124 | 29 | [43] |
| 8 | Azusa Iwashimizu | 2006–2016 | 122 | 11 | [44] |
| 9 | Hiromi Ikeda | 1997–2008 | 119 | 4 | |
| 10 | Tomoe Kato | 1997–2008 | 114 | 8 |
| # | Player | Year(s) | Goals | Caps | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Homare Sawa | 1993–2015 | 83 | 205 | [37] |
| 2 | Yuki Nagasato | 2004–2016 | 58 | 132 | [41] |
| 3 | Kaori Nagamine | 1984–1996 | 48 | 64 | |
| 4 | Mina Tanaka | 2013–present | 41 | 87 | [45] |
| 5 | Shinobu Ohno | 2003–2016 | 40 | 139 | [40] |
| 6 | Aya Miyama | 2003–2016 | 38 | 162 | [38] |
| 7 | Mana Iwabuchi | 2010–2023 | 36 | 89 | [46] |
| 8 | Mio Otani | 2000–2007 | 31 | 73 | |
| 9 | Futaba Kioka | 1981–1996 | 30 | 75 | |
| 10 | Mizuho Sakaguchi | 2006–2019 | 29 | 124 | [43] |
| Asako Takakura | 1984–1999 | 29 | 79 |
Runners-up:2012Champions 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 | |
| 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 | To be determined | |||||||||
  2031 | To be determined | |||||||||
| 2035 | To be determined | |||||||||
| Total | 9/10 | 38 | 18 | 4 | 16 | 54 | 62 | −8 | ||
| 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(3–1p) | ||
| 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 | |
| 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 | 26 | 9 | 4 | 13 | 31 | 36 | −5 | — | — |
| 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 | |||||||||
| 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 | Qualified | |||||||||||||||||
| Total | 17/20 | 83 | 55 | 6 | 22 | 365 | 68 | +297 | — | — | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 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 [ja] | |
| 2026 | ||||||||||
| 2030 | ||||||||||
| Total | 7/7 | 34 | 22 | 6 | 6 | 107 | 25 | +82 | — | — |
| 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 | Qualified | Squad | ||||||||
| Total | 8/8 | 24 | 15 | 4 | 5 | 46 | 18 | +28 | — | — |
| 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 invitationaltournament for national teams inwomen's association football hosted by thePortuguese Football Federation (FPF). Held annually in theAlgarve region ofPortugal 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."[49]
 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 | — | — |
TheSheBelieves Cup is a global invitationaltournament for national teams inwomen's football hosted in theUnited 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 theCOVID-19 pandemic[50] | ||||||||
| 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 | |
TheTournament of Nations was a global invitationaltournament for national teams inwomen's soccer in non-World Cup and non-Olympic years hosted by theUnited States Soccer Federation (USSF) in severalAmerican cities.[51] The inaugural tournament was held in2017.
The 2021 edition would have been a pre-Olympics tournament due to the rescheduling of theTokyo Olympics.[52] On May 6, 2021, however, the USSF announced that it would no longer hold Tournament of Nations because recent changes in international windows byFIFA made a round-robin tournament unfeasible.[53]
| 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 | |
| Sporting positions | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by | World Champions 2011 (first title) | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | Asian Champions 2014 (first title) 2018 (second title) | Succeeded by |
Japan squads – FIFA Women's World Cup | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Japan women's football squads – Summer Olympics | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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FIFA Women's World Cup winners | |
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AFC Women's Asian Cup winners | |
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Japan at the FIFA Women's World Cup | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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