Basketball Sep 21, 2021
Tom Hovasse replaces Julio Lamas as Japan men's team head coach
The American led the women's Akatsuki Five team to a historic silver medal at this summer's Tokyo Olympics.
Summer Olympics / Basketball Aug 5, 2021
Japan's women's basketball team not satisfied with just being Cinderella
by Kaz Nagatsuka
The Akatsuki Five are officially in uncharted territory. Can they reach the podium?
Summer Olympics / Basketball Jul 1, 2021
Japan names women's basketball team for Tokyo Olympics
by Kaz Nagatsuka
The Japan Basketball Association announced the 12-player roster for the women's national team for the Tokyo Olympics on Thursday. Veteran center Maki Takada, small forward Yuki Miyazawa and point guard Rui Machida headline the squad, which will compete in its second straight Summer Games. Japan ...
Basketball Jun 15, 2021
Tom Hovasse pushing Akatsuki Five hard ahead of Olympics
by Kaz Nagatsuka
The American coach saw plenty of things to fix within his squad during last week's three-game exhibition series against Portugal.
Basketball Apr 25, 2021
Tom Hovasse's Akatsuki Five focusing on small ball ahead of Olympics
by Kaz Nagatsuka
With star forward Ramu Tokashiki still rehabbing from an ACL injury, Japan will need to find ways to make up for its height disadvantage against group opponents France and the United States.
Basketball Feb 3, 2021
Japan draws tough assignments for Tokyo Olympic basketball tournament
by Kaz Nagatsuka
Japan's men’s and women’s basketball teams will face a stiff challenge during the preliminary round of this summer Tokyo Games after being given a tough road during the draw for the Olympic tournaments on Tuesday. The host country’s male squad was placed into Group C ...
Basketball Nov 10, 2020
Japan women's coach Tom Hovasse looks to unearth new talent at camp
by Kaz Nagatsuka
The Akatsuki Five's first meeting in nine months offers the American coach a look at players who might not have made his Olympic roster if the games had taken place as scheduled.
Basketball Aug 15, 2020
Japan's national basketball teams switch gears with eye on next summer's Tokyo Olympics
by Kaz Nagatsuka
Japan’s national basketball team head coaches are staying positive as they refocus their efforts for the Summer Games.
Basketball Jan 23, 2020
Yuka Osaki hopes to secure a spot on Japan national team after becoming a mother
by Kaz Nagatsuka
Just over a year after giving birth to her first child, Yuka Osaki decided to return to the court with the goal of representing her home country at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. The provisional Japan women's national team is currently holding a training camp at ...
Basketball Oct 1, 2019
Japan looks ahead after capturing fourth straight FIBA Women's Asia Cup title
by Kaz Nagatsuka
Chasing its lofty goal of capturing a gold medal at next year's Tokyo Olympics, the Japan women's national team gained momentum by winning its fourth straight FIBA Women's Asia Cup title in Bangalore, India, on Sunday. Two days after accomplishing the feat by edging China ...
Basketball Jul 17, 2019
Ramu Tokashiki striving for national team return
by Kaz Nagatsuka
Ramu Tokashiki is thrilled to be back on the court. But the star player knows a spot on the national team is no guarantee. Tokashiki has not competed for Japan's women's national team since the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics due to nagging injuries, mostly ...
Basketball Jun 3, 2019
Japan hunts Olympic gold from beyond arc
by Kaz Nagatsuka
With a small-ball approach, Japan's women's basketball team will try to achieve big things. The Akatsuki Five wrapped up its first games of the year with a two-game sweep of Belgium in Mito, Ibaraki Prefecture, on Sunday, with wins of 91-75 and 84-71. It is certainly ...