Reception for Samurai Japan (Men’s Japan National Team) and Sakura Japan (Women’s Japan National Team) (August 11, 2026)
2026/8/14
On August 11, a reception was held at the Ambassador’s Residence to encourage the Japan Men’s National Hockey Team (Samurai Japan) and Japan Women’s National Hockey Team (Sakura Japan), who will compete in the 16th FIH Hockey World Cup Belgium & Netherlands 2026. Together with members of the local Japanese community, we offered our encouragement and support to the players, staff, and other team officials.
In his opening remarks, Ambassador MICHII noted that, as exchanges between Japan and the Netherlands have continued to develop in a wide range of fields, including politics, the economy, culture, academia, and defense, sports exchanges have also gained increasing prominence in recent years. He expressed his hopes for the Japan national hockey teams’ strong performances at this World Cup.
Following this, Ms. Fumiko Inoue, Co-Chair of the Rotterdam-Japan Club (RJC), delivered remarks, welcoming the players and staff to the Netherlands and expressing her hopes for their success in the tournament.
Next, Mr. Raiki Fujishima, captain of Samurai Japan, and Mr. Yu Kudo, captain of Sakura Japan, addressed the gathering and expressed their determination for the tournament, including their desire to put on performances that would inspire children and serve as an example for them to look up to.
This was followed by a toast proposed by Mr. Ryusuke Haga, Chairman of the Japan Chamber of Commerce and Industry in the Netherlands (JCC).
The event also provided an opportunity for active networking, further strengthening connections among the participants. The Embassy of Japan in the Netherlands wishes the Japan national hockey teams every success in the tournament.
The Japan national teams’ match schedule for the first group stage is as follows.
All matches will be held at Wagener Stadium in Amstelveen.
Saturday, August 15, 10:00 a.m. [Women] Japan vs. Australia
Sunday, August 16, 7:00 p.m. [Men] Japan vs. Argentina
Monday, August 17, 9:30 a.m. [Women] Japan vs. Chile
Tuesday, August 18, 9:30 a.m. [Men] Japan vs. New Zealand
Wednesday, August 19, 6:00 p.m. [Women] Japan vs. Netherlands
Thursday, August 20, 6:00 p.m. [Men] Japan vs. Netherlands
The match schedule, pairings, and venues from Friday, August 21 onward will be determined based on the results of the first group stage.
For ticket information and further details, please visit the official tournament website.
In his opening remarks, Ambassador MICHII noted that, as exchanges between Japan and the Netherlands have continued to develop in a wide range of fields, including politics, the economy, culture, academia, and defense, sports exchanges have also gained increasing prominence in recent years. He expressed his hopes for the Japan national hockey teams’ strong performances at this World Cup.
Following this, Ms. Fumiko Inoue, Co-Chair of the Rotterdam-Japan Club (RJC), delivered remarks, welcoming the players and staff to the Netherlands and expressing her hopes for their success in the tournament.
Next, Mr. Raiki Fujishima, captain of Samurai Japan, and Mr. Yu Kudo, captain of Sakura Japan, addressed the gathering and expressed their determination for the tournament, including their desire to put on performances that would inspire children and serve as an example for them to look up to.
This was followed by a toast proposed by Mr. Ryusuke Haga, Chairman of the Japan Chamber of Commerce and Industry in the Netherlands (JCC).
The event also provided an opportunity for active networking, further strengthening connections among the participants. The Embassy of Japan in the Netherlands wishes the Japan national hockey teams every success in the tournament.
The Japan national teams’ match schedule for the first group stage is as follows.
All matches will be held at Wagener Stadium in Amstelveen.
Saturday, August 15, 10:00 a.m. [Women] Japan vs. Australia
Sunday, August 16, 7:00 p.m. [Men] Japan vs. Argentina
Monday, August 17, 9:30 a.m. [Women] Japan vs. Chile
Tuesday, August 18, 9:30 a.m. [Men] Japan vs. New Zealand
Wednesday, August 19, 6:00 p.m. [Women] Japan vs. Netherlands
Thursday, August 20, 6:00 p.m. [Men] Japan vs. Netherlands
The match schedule, pairings, and venues from Friday, August 21 onward will be determined based on the results of the first group stage.
For ticket information and further details, please visit the official tournament website.
