Kinuko Tanida (谷田 絹子, Tanida Kinuko; 18 September 1939 – 4 December 2020) was a Japanese volleyball player and Olympic…Kinuko Tanida (谷田 絹子, Tanida Kinuko; 18 September 1939 – 4 December 2020) was a Japanese volleyball player and Olympic champion. She was a member of the Japanese winning team, Oriental Witches, at the 1964 Summer Olympics in Tokyo.
Sadatoshi Sugawara (菅原 貞敬, Sugawara Sadatoshi; born February 18, 1939) is a Japanese former volleyball player who…Sadatoshi Sugawara (菅原 貞敬, Sugawara Sadatoshi; born February 18, 1939) is a Japanese former volleyball player who competed in the 1964 Summer Olympics. He was born in Noshiro. In 1964 he was part of the Japanese team which won the bronze medal in the Olympic tournament. He played all nine matches.
Emiko Miyamoto (宮本 恵美子, Miyamoto Emiko; May 10, 1937 – December 7, 2023) was a Japanese volleyball player. She was a…Emiko Miyamoto (宮本 恵美子, Miyamoto Emiko; May 10, 1937 – December 7, 2023) was a Japanese volleyball player. She was a member of the Japanese winning teams, Oriental Witches, at the 1962 World Championships and 1964 Summer Olympics. Miyamoto died from sepsis in Takahagi, on December 7, 2023, at the age of 86.
Tsutomu Koyama (小山 勉, Koyama Tsutomu) (July 26, 1936 – July 2, 2012) was a Japanese volleyball player. He was a member…Tsutomu Koyama (小山 勉, Koyama Tsutomu) (July 26, 1936 – July 2, 2012) was a Japanese volleyball player. He was a member of the Men's National Volleyball Team that claimed the bronze medal at the 1964 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, Japan. He later served as the head coach of the Men's National Team. Koyama died on July 2, 2012, of esophageal cancer, aged 75.
Masae Kasai (河西 昌枝 Kasai Masae, 14 July 1933 – 3 October 2013) was a volleyball player from Japan, who was a member of…Masae Kasai (河西 昌枝 Kasai Masae, 14 July 1933 – 3 October 2013) was a volleyball player from Japan, who was a member of the Japan Women's National Team, Oriental Witches, that won the gold medal at the 1964 Summer Olympics. Masae Kasai was born in Minami-Alps, Yamanashi, and started playing volleyball when the sport was still played with nine players a side in Japan (six are used internationally). She joined the Nichibo fiber spinning company right out of high school, first playing for corporation's Ashikaga (Tochigi) team, later for the one from Kaizuka (Osaka). The latter team dominated the women's sport in the late 1950s and 1960s, and when the Japanese started playing according to international rules, Nichibo Kaizuka's players formed the national team. Kasai and her teammates débuted at the 1960 FIVB World Championship in Brazil, finishing behind the Soviet Union. Two years later, the Japanese won the World Championship title, defeating the Soviet squad before a Moscow audience. When volleyball made its Olympic début in Tokyo, they lived up to high expectations by again beating the Soviet Union in the final round-robin match, in straight sets. After the Olympics, team captain Kasai met with the Japanese prime minister and complained to him that she had not been able to find a husband because of the difficult training regimen. The Prime Minister set her up with a date and the two later married. She later went on to become a volleyball coach in Japan and China, and sat on the board of the Japanese Volleyball Association. In 2008, Kasai was inducted into the International Volleyball Hall of Fame.
Yasutaka Matsudaira (22 January 1930 – 31 December 2011) was a volleyball player, coach, and sports official. He was…Yasutaka Matsudaira (22 January 1930 – 31 December 2011) was a volleyball player, coach, and sports official. He was the coach of Japan men's national volleyball team from 1965–1972 and the first Japanese to enter the International Volleyball Hall of Fame. Matsudaira was also previously a captain for Keio University.
Hirofumi Daimatsu (大松 博文, Daimatsu Hirofumi; 12 February 1921 – 24 November 1978) was a Japanese volleyball coach and a…Hirofumi Daimatsu (大松 博文, Daimatsu Hirofumi; 12 February 1921 – 24 November 1978) was a Japanese volleyball coach and a Japanese politician. He led Oriental Witches, nickname of "Nichibo Kaizuka", a factory volleyball team of Dai Nippon Spinning Co., Ltd. (later, Nichibo, thereafter, Unitika) in Kaizuka, Osaka given by the reports of European media when they achieved 24 consecutive victories against other national teams on the expedition to Europe, to world champion.
Ai Akimoto (秋本 愛, Akimoto Ai; née Ōtomo (大友); born March 24, 1982) is a Japanese retired volleyball player. She…Ai Akimoto (秋本 愛, Akimoto Ai; née Ōtomo (大友); born March 24, 1982) is a Japanese retired volleyball player. She competed at the 2004 and 2012 Summer Olympics.
Miya Fujii (藤井 美弥, Fujii Miya; formerly Miya Sato (佐藤 美弥, Satō Miya), born (1990-03-07)7 March 1990) is a retired…Miya Fujii (藤井 美弥, Fujii Miya; formerly Miya Sato (佐藤 美弥, Satō Miya), born (1990-03-07)7 March 1990) is a retired Japanese female volleyball player. She announced her retirement from Hitachi Rivale club and the national team on 27 May 2021. She was part of the Japan women's national volleyball team. She participated at the 2017 FIVB Volleyball Women's World Grand Champions Cup, and the 2018 FIVB Volleyball Women's Nations League.
Mio Satō (佐藤 澪, Satō Mio; born 12 February 1993) is a Japanese volleyball player who plays for the NEC Red Rockets. She…Mio Satō (佐藤 澪, Satō Mio; born 12 February 1993) is a Japanese volleyball player who plays for the NEC Red Rockets. She also played for the Japan women's national volleyball team.
Mizuho Ishida (石田瑞穂 Ishida Mizuho, born January 22, 1988) is a former Japanese volleyball player who played for…Mizuho Ishida (石田瑞穂 Ishida Mizuho, born January 22, 1988) is a former Japanese volleyball player who played for Hisamitsu Springs, Denso Airybees, Takefuji Bamboo, and the Japan women's national volleyball team.
Akiko Hasegawa, née Uchida (内田暁子 Uchida Akiko, born November 30, 1985) is a Japanese volleyball player who plays for…Akiko Hasegawa, née Uchida (内田暁子 Uchida Akiko, born November 30, 1985) is a Japanese volleyball player who plays for NEC Red Rockets.
Koyomi Tominaga (冨永 こよみ, Tominaga Koyomi; born (1989-05-01)1 May 1989) or Koyomi Iwasaki (岩崎 こよみ, Iwasaki Koyomi) is a…Koyomi Tominaga (冨永 こよみ, Tominaga Koyomi; born (1989-05-01)1 May 1989) or Koyomi Iwasaki (岩崎 こよみ, Iwasaki Koyomi) is a Japanese volleyball player. She plays as a setter for Japan women's national volleyball team.
Ai Kurogo (黒後 愛, Kurogo Ai; born (1998-06-14)14 June 1998) is a Japanese volleyball player. She competed at the 2020…Ai Kurogo (黒後 愛, Kurogo Ai; born (1998-06-14)14 June 1998) is a Japanese volleyball player. She competed at the 2020 Summer Olympics, in Women's volleyball. She was part of the Japan women's national volleyball team. She participated at the 2017 FIVB U20 Women's Volleyball World Championship, 2018 Asian Games, 2018 FIVB Volleyball Women's Nations League, 2018 FIVB Women's Volleyball World Championship, 2019 FIVB Volleyball Women's Nations League, 2021 FIVB Volleyball Women's Nations League and the 2024 FIVB Volleyball Women's Nations League where Japan won the silver medal for the first time in their Volleyball Nations League history. From the 2026/2027 season onwards, she will play for the Greek first division team AEK.
Fumika Moriya (森谷 史佳, Moriya Fumika; born (1992-04-07)7 April 1992) is a Japanese female volleyball player. She was…Fumika Moriya (森谷 史佳, Moriya Fumika; born (1992-04-07)7 April 1992) is a Japanese female volleyball player. She was part of the Japan women's national volleyball team. She participated in the 2013 FIVB Volleyball World Grand Prix. On club level she played for Hisamitsu Seiyaku Springs in 2013.
Risa Ishii (石井 里沙, Ishii Risa; born May 19, 1990) is a Japanese volleyball player who played for Denso Airybees. She…Risa Ishii (石井 里沙, Ishii Risa; born May 19, 1990) is a Japanese volleyball player who played for Denso Airybees. She plays as number 16 when she plays for the All-Japan women's volleyball team.
Nozomi Tsuchida (born 19 August 1986) is a Japanese female volleyball player. She is part of the Japan women's national…Nozomi Tsuchida (born 19 August 1986) is a Japanese female volleyball player. She is part of the Japan women's national volleyball team. She participated at the 2015 FIVB World Grand Prix. At the club level she played for Ageo Medics in 2015.
Kumi Nakada (中田 久美, Nakada Kumi; born 3 September 1965) is a former professional volleyball player and former coach of…Kumi Nakada (中田 久美, Nakada Kumi; born 3 September 1965) is a former professional volleyball player and former coach of Hisamitsu Springs. She was a setter who led Japan to the bronze medal at the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles at 18 years of age.
Shiho Yoshimura (吉村志穂, Yoshimura Shiho; born December 13, 1989) is a former Japanese volleyball player. She played for…Shiho Yoshimura (吉村志穂, Yoshimura Shiho; born December 13, 1989) is a former Japanese volleyball player. She played for Ageo Medics in the V Premier League.
Ayano Nakaoji (中大路 絢野, Nakaōji Ayano; born (1991-07-24)24 July 1991) is a Japanese female volleyball player. With her…Ayano Nakaoji (中大路 絢野, Nakaōji Ayano; born (1991-07-24)24 July 1991) is a Japanese female volleyball player. With her club Hisamitsu Springs she competed at the 2015 FIVB Volleyball Women's Club World Championship.
Kotona Hayashi (林琴奈, Hayashi Kotona; born 13 November 1999) is a Japanese volleyball player. She plays for the Japan…Kotona Hayashi (林琴奈, Hayashi Kotona; born 13 November 1999) is a Japanese volleyball player. She plays for the Japan women's national volleyball team. She competed at the 2020 Summer Olympics, in Women's volleyball.
Airi Miyabe (宮部 藍梨, Miyabe Airi; born (1998-07-29)29 July 1998) is a Japanese volleyball player and a member of the…Airi Miyabe (宮部 藍梨, Miyabe Airi; born (1998-07-29)29 July 1998) is a Japanese volleyball player and a member of the Japan women's national volleyball team. She is of mixed Nigerian and Japanese heritage and is the older sister of Ameze Miyabe. Miyabe competed in the 2015 FIVB Volleyball World Grand Prix. At the club level, she represented Kinrankai Senior High School in 2015. At the collegiate level in the United States, Miyabe attended the College of Southern Idaho before transferring to the University of Minnesota, where she played for the Minnesota Golden Gophers. She was also a member of the Japanese national team at the 2024 Olympics.
Ameze Miyabe (宮部 愛芽世, Miyabe Ameze; born 12 October 2001) is a Japanese professional volleyball player. She plays in…Ameze Miyabe (宮部 愛芽世, Miyabe Ameze; born 12 October 2001) is a Japanese professional volleyball player. She plays in the SV.League for Osaka Marvelous.
Ayumi Nakamura (中村 亜友美, Nakamura Ayumi; born August 29, 1990) is a Japanese volleyball player who plays for JT…Ayumi Nakamura (中村 亜友美, Nakamura Ayumi; born August 29, 1990) is a Japanese volleyball player who plays for JT Marvelous. She also plays for the All-Japan women's volleyball team. Nakamura played for the All-Japan team for the first time at the Montreux Volley Masters in May 2013.
Fuyumi Hawi Okumu Oba (Japanese: オクム大庭 冬美ハウィ, romanized: Okumu Ōba Fuyumi Hawi; born 27 June 1998) is a Japanese…Fuyumi Hawi Okumu Oba (Japanese: オクム大庭 冬美ハウィ, romanized: Okumu Ōba Fuyumi Hawi; born 27 June 1998) is a Japanese volleyball player.
Mako Kobata (born August 15, 1992) is a Japanese professional volleyball player. She plays the libero position and is…Mako Kobata (born August 15, 1992) is a Japanese professional volleyball player. She plays the libero position and is known for her fast reactions and strong defense. Kobata has played for the Japan women's national volleyball team and participated in several international tournaments, including the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. She also plays for Hisamitsu Springs, a top team in Japan's V.League.
Ayaka Araki (荒木 彩花, Araki Ayaka; born 2 September 2001) is a Japanese professional volleyball player. She plays in the…Ayaka Araki (荒木 彩花, Araki Ayaka; born 2 September 2001) is a Japanese professional volleyball player. She plays in the SV.League for Saga Hisamitsu Springs.
Mami Uchiseto (内瀬戸 真実, Uchiseto Mami; born 25 October 1991) is a Japanese volleyball player who played for Saitama Ageo…Mami Uchiseto (内瀬戸 真実, Uchiseto Mami; born 25 October 1991) is a Japanese volleyball player who played for Saitama Ageo Medics in the V.League 1. She is part of the Japan women's national volleyball team.
Tomoko Yoshihara (吉原知子 Yoshihara Tomoko, born 4 February 1970) is a former volleyball player from Japan who competed at…Tomoko Yoshihara (吉原知子 Yoshihara Tomoko, born 4 February 1970) is a former volleyball player from Japan who competed at the 1992, 1996, and 2004 Summer Olympics. Yoshihara captained the 2004 Olympic squad. She was named Best Server at the 1994 FIVB World Championship in Brazil, where she finished in seventh place. She won a bronze medal at the 1994 Goodwill Games in Saint Petersburg. Yoshihara played as a middle blocker.
Ikumi Narita (成田 郁久美, Narita Ikumi; born January 1, 1976) is a Japanese former volleyball player. Her maiden name is…Ikumi Narita (成田 郁久美, Narita Ikumi; born January 1, 1976) is a Japanese former volleyball player. Her maiden name is Ikumi Ogake (大懸 郁久美, Ōgake Ikumi). Narita competed at the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens, Greece, where she finished in fifth place with the Japan women's national team. She played as a wing-spiker. She was named Best Digger and Best Receiver at the 2004 FIVB Women's World Olympic Qualification Tournament.
Saori Takahashi (高橋 沙織 Takahashi Saori, born December 9, 1992) is a Japanese volleyball player who plays for Hitachi…Saori Takahashi (高橋 沙織 Takahashi Saori, born December 9, 1992) is a Japanese volleyball player who plays for Hitachi Rivale. She also plays for the All-Japan women's volleyball team. Takahashi played for the All-Japan team for the first time at the Montreux Volley Masters in June 2013.
Megumi Itabashi (板橋 恵, Itabashi Megumi; born 7 June 1973) is a Japanese female volleyball player. She was part of the…Megumi Itabashi (板橋 恵, Itabashi Megumi; born 7 June 1973) is a Japanese female volleyball player. She was part of the Japan women's national volleyball team, at the 2005 FIVB Women's World Grand Champions Cup, and the 2006 FIVB Volleyball World Grand Prix.
Kana Ōno (大野 果奈, Ōno Kana, born 30 June 1992) is a female volleyball player from Japan. Kana plays for NEC Red Rockets…Kana Ōno (大野 果奈, Ōno Kana, born 30 June 1992) is a female volleyball player from Japan. Kana plays for NEC Red Rockets and also plays for Japan women's national volleyball team as Middle Blocker.
Arisa Satō (佐藤あり紗, Satō Arisa, born 18 July 1989) is a Japanese volleyball player who plays for Hitachi Rivale. She…Arisa Satō (佐藤あり紗, Satō Arisa, born 18 July 1989) is a Japanese volleyball player who plays for Hitachi Rivale. She also plays for Japan women's national volleyball team.
Kaoru Sugayama (菅山かおる, Sugayama Kaoru; born December 26, 1978) is a Japanese volleyball player. Although her nickname…Kaoru Sugayama (菅山かおる, Sugayama Kaoru; born December 26, 1978) is a Japanese volleyball player. Although her nickname is "yuu", Ai Otomo already had that nickname on the All-Japan women's Team, so she was given the new nickname "kaoru". Her nickname in television broadcasts is "koushuni kagayaku Kaoru-hime", (攻守に輝くカオル姫, translation: "Princess Kaoru who shines in offense and defense"). Also, she is sometimes known as "shiroi yousei" (白い妖精, translation: "White fairy") due in part to her fair skin. However, she is embarrassed to be called "Princess Kaoru" or "White fairy". She belongs to the volleyball team JT Marvelous of the V.League. In May 2008, she retired from the team and from organized volleyball. She married volleyball player Koichi Nishimura in 2011.
Kanami Tashiro (田代 佳奈美, Tashiro Kanami; born (1991-03-25)25 March 1991) is a Japanese volleyball player who plays for…Kanami Tashiro (田代 佳奈美, Tashiro Kanami; born (1991-03-25)25 March 1991) is a Japanese volleyball player who plays for Toray Arrows. She is also part of the Japan women's national volleyball team and played at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, and at the 2020 Summer Olympics, in Women's volleyball.
Natsumi Fujita (藤田 夏未 Fujita Natsumi, born August 5, 1991) is a Japanese volleyball player who plays for Toyota Auto…Natsumi Fujita (藤田 夏未 Fujita Natsumi, born August 5, 1991) is a Japanese volleyball player who plays for Toyota Auto Body Queenseis. She also plays for the All-Japan women's volleyball team. Fujita played for the All-Japan team for the first time at the Montreux Volley Masters in May 2013.
Miyuki Takahashi (高橋 みゆき Takahashi Miyuki, born 25 December 1978) is a Japanese volleyball player, who played for the…Miyuki Takahashi (高橋 みゆき Takahashi Miyuki, born 25 December 1978) is a Japanese volleyball player, who played for the NEC Red Rockets. Takahashi also played for the All-Japan women's volleyball team and participated at the 2004 and 2008 Summer Olympics. Her nickname is SHIN (心 Shin). Takahashi was the captain of the Japanese volleyball team during the 2002 FIVB World Championship.
Miyuki Akiyama (秋山美幸 Akiyama Miyuki, born August 27, 1984) is a Japanese volleyball player who plays for NEC Red…Miyuki Akiyama (秋山美幸 Akiyama Miyuki, born August 27, 1984) is a Japanese volleyball player who plays for NEC Red Rockets. She is represented by the talent agency AT Production.
Tomoko Okano (岡野知子 Okano Tomoko, born August 29, 1979) is a former Japanese volleyball player. She served as the…Tomoko Okano (岡野知子 Okano Tomoko, born August 29, 1979) is a former Japanese volleyball player. She served as the captain of Denso Airybees between 2006 and 2009.
Yuki Ishikawa may refer to: Yuki Ishikawa (wrestler, born 1967), Japanese wrestler Yuki Ishikawa (volleyball) (born…Yuki Ishikawa may refer to: Yuki Ishikawa (wrestler, born 1967), Japanese wrestler Yuki Ishikawa (volleyball) (born 1987), Japanese volleyball player Yuki Ishikawa (wrestler, born 1995), Japanese wrestler Yūki Ishikawa (born 1995), Japanese volleyball player
Shinako Tanaka (田中 姿子, Tanaka Shinako; born July 28, 1975, in Saitama) is a female beach volleyball player from Japan…Shinako Tanaka (田中 姿子, Tanaka Shinako; born July 28, 1975, in Saitama) is a female beach volleyball player from Japan, who won the silver medal in the women's team competition at the 2006 Asian Games in Doha, partnering compatriot Eiko Koizumi. In the final the couple lost (1–2) to the Chinese pair Xue Chen and Zhang Xi. Tanaka started her sports career in indoor volleyball, and played for the Women's National Team.
Erika Araki (荒木 絵里香, Araki Erika; born 3 August 1984) is a retired Japanese volleyball player. She served as captain…Erika Araki (荒木 絵里香, Araki Erika; born 3 August 1984) is a retired Japanese volleyball player. She served as captain for the national team from 2009 to 2012. She competed at the 2012 Summer Olympics winning a bronze medal, and 2020 Summer Olympics, in Women's volleyball which she was the captain.
Riho Otake (大竹 里歩, Ōtake Riho; born December 23, 1993) is a Japanese volleyball player who plays for Hisamitsu Springs.…Riho Otake (大竹 里歩, Ōtake Riho; born December 23, 1993) is a Japanese volleyball player who plays for Hisamitsu Springs. She also plays for the All-Japan women's volleyball team. Her father is Hideyuki Ōtake, who is a former volleyball player. Her younger brother, Issei Otake [大竹壱青], is also a volleyball player and plays for the national men's team as well as Panasonic Panthers. On 19 December 2011, Denso announced that she was joining the team. Ōtake played for the All-Japan team for the first time at the 2012 Asian Women's Cup Volleyball Championship in September 2012.
Kana Oyama (大山 加奈 Ōyama Kana, born June 19, 1984) is a Japanese volleyball player who plays for Toray Arrows. She…Kana Oyama (大山 加奈 Ōyama Kana, born June 19, 1984) is a Japanese volleyball player who plays for Toray Arrows. She competed at the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens, Greece wearing the #13 jersey. There, she and the Japan women's national team took fifth place. Oyama played as a wing-spiker. The Toray Arrows announced her retirement on 29 June 2010. While attending Shimokitazawa Seito Gakuen high school, the volleyball team won the high school national championship, with Erika Araki Oyama was selected for the national team for the Olympic games in Beijing, but declined due to lumbago.
Saori Kimura (木村 沙織, Kimura Saori; born August 19, 1986) is a retired Japanese volleyball player who played for Toray…Saori Kimura (木村 沙織, Kimura Saori; born August 19, 1986) is a retired Japanese volleyball player who played for Toray Arrows. She also played for the All-Japan women's volleyball team and was a captain of the team. She was a participant at the 2004 Summer Olympics, 2008 Summer Olympics, 2012 Summer Olympics and 2016 Summer Olympics, winning a bronze medal in 2012. She was so versatile that she could play any position. On 10 July 2012, Toray announced that Kimura will move to VakıfBank Türk Telekom next season. On 3 June 2013, Daikin (which is a sponsor of Galatasaray Daikin) announced that Kimura will move to Galatasaray Daikin next season. On 5 June 2014, Toray Arrows announced Kimura would join the next season. In 2017, Kimura announced her retirement.
Minako Onuki (大貫 美奈子, Ōnuki Minako; born (1972-10-15)15 October 1972) is a retired Japanese female volleyball player.…Minako Onuki (大貫 美奈子, Ōnuki Minako; born (1972-10-15)15 October 1972) is a retired Japanese female volleyball player. Onuki was part of the Japanese women's national volleyball team at the 1998 FIVB World Championship in Japan and in the 2002 FIVB World Championship in Germany.
Motoko Obayashi (大林 素子, Ōbayashi Motoko; born 15 June 1967) is a retired volleyball player from Japan who competed in…Motoko Obayashi (大林 素子, Ōbayashi Motoko; born 15 June 1967) is a retired volleyball player from Japan who competed in three consecutive Summer Olympics, starting in 1988. She won a bronze medal with the Japanese team at the 1994 Goodwill Games in Saint Petersburg. Obayashi took part in the torch relay of the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo.
