Hockey - Team Japan

General
Japan arrive in Hangzhou as the reigning Asian Games champions after claiming their first title at the 2018 Games in Indonesia. They swept through the group stage unbeaten with triumphs over Chinese Taipei, the People's Republic of China, Malaysia, and Hong Kong, China. Two goals in the last quarter sealed a 2-0 semifinal win over the Republic of Korea before they secured the gold medal with a 2-1 victory against India. Prior to their maiden title, Japan had won three silver medals [1986, 1994, 2006], and three bronze medals [1990, 2002, 2010].

The Japanese team are also the Asia Cup holders, capping an unbeaten campaign at the 2022 edition with a 4-2 victory over the Republic of Korea in the final. It was the third time Japan had beaten their Korean rivals in the Asia Cup final after previous triumphs in 2007 and 2013. They also finished as runners-up in 1985, 1989, and 2004.

Japan's first World Cup was the 1978 edition in Madrid, Spain, and between 2002 and 2022 they competed at six consecutive editions of the tournament. At the 2022 World Cup the team drew one and lost two of their three pool phase matches, then beat the Republic of Korea and lost to India in the classification rounds to finish in 11th place. Also in 2022, they finished third at the inaugural Nations Cup.

Japan made their fifth appearance at the Olympic Games as hosts of Tokyo 2020, where they did not win a game and finished 11th. Their highest ranking at the Games came on their debut in 2004, when they placed eighth.