Discover the fascinating story of Nadeshiko Japan, the women’s national football team of Japan, from the early years to the present day. Learn about the team’s achievements, famous players, coaches, badge, and uniform. Explore Nadeshiko Japan’s World Cup and Olympic Games’ records and get a glimpse into the team’s future.
Women’s Soccer in Japan
Nadeshiko Japan team during a friendly match against England in 2022. (Photo by Aflo Images)
Women’s soccer in Japan has come a long way since in the past four decades, evolving from a minority activity to a popular structured sport with a national professional league. The rise of Nadeshiko Japan, the women’s national football team of Japan, played a significant role in the transformation from grassroots amateurism to the foundation of the Japan Women’s Empowerment Professional Football League (WE League) in the year of 2020.
Nadeshiko Japan has inspired millions of young girls in Japan and around the world to pursue their dreams of playing soccer.
Nadeshiko Japan: Origin of The Name
Nadeshiko team nickname anouncement in 2004. (Photo by Aflo Images)
The name Nadeshiko Japan was chosen in 2004, after a public vote. The name refers to a type of pink flower called Dianthus superbus, which is native to Japan and represents grace, beauty, and charm. The name reflects the team’s commitment to playing attractive and elegant football while embodying the virtues of Japanese culture.
Nadeshiko Japan: History and Achievements
Nadeshiko Japan celebrating after winning the World Cup in 2011. (Photo by Aflo Images)
The Early Years
The Japan national women’s team played its first international match in 1981 against Chinese Taipei, losing 1-0. In the early years, the team struggled to compete at the highest level.
Victory in the 2011 FIFA World Cup
Nadeshiko Japan’s greatest achievement came in 2011 when they won the FIFA Women’s World Cup held in Germany. Coming just after the shock of the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami, the team’s inspiring journey to the finals captured the hearts of the nation, and their victory brought joy and hope to a country that was still recovering from the devastating natural disaster. The team’s never-say-die attitude and their style of football made them the darlings of the tournament.
World Cup Record
Nadeshiko Japan has participated in eight FIFA Women’s World Cups and has reached the finals twice in 2011 and 2015. In addition to their victory in 2011, they finished runners-up in 2015.
Olympic Games Record
Nadeshiko Japan has participated in five Olympic Games since women’s soccer was introduced in 1996. They won the silver medal in 2012, reached the quarterfinals in both 2004 and 2020, and reached the semifinals in 2008.
Other Achievements
In addition to their World Cup triumph and Olympic achievements, Nadeshiko Japan has won the Asian Cup twice, in 2014 and 2018. They have also won the East Asian Cup four times in 2008, 2010, 2019, and 2022.
Nadeshiko Japan: Famous Past and Current Players
Homare Sawa during a press event in 2023. (Photo by Yohei Osada/Aflo Images)
Nadeshiko Japan has produced many legendary players. Here are ten of the most famous players of all time:
Homare Sawa
The captain of the 2011 World Cup-winning team and the FIFA Women’s World Player of the Year in 2011, Sawa, played in the forward and midfield positions. She also helped the team to the silver medal at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London. Sawa played in both Japan and the United States with spells at the Atlanta Beat, NTV Tokyo Beleza, Washington Freedom, and INAC Kobe Leonessa. She played 186 games for the Japanese national team and scored 81 goals, and still holds the record as the team’s top scorer.
Aya Miyama
Team captain from 2012 to 2016, Miyama was considered one of the best midfielders in the world. She was part of four World Cup squads between 2003 and 2015, including the team that won the 2011 World Cup. She captained the team to the silver medal at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London. Miyama played for Nippon TV Tokyo Beleza, Okayama Yunogo Belle, Los Angeles Sol, Saint Louis Athletica and Atlanta Beat. She was awarded the AFC Women’s Footballer of the Year in 2011, 2012 and 2015.
Yuki Nagasato
Nagasato played as a forward for her country between 2004 and 2016, scoring 58 goals in 132 appearances, including the winning goal in the 2011 World Cup final. In 2020 Nagasato made history by playing for Hayabusa Eleven, a men’s team in the Kanagawa Prefecture League. Currently she plays for National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) team, Chicago Red Star. She has also represented Nippon TV Tokyo Beleza, Chelsea, Wolfsburg and Frankfurt in Europe.
Saki Kumagai
Kumagai is a defender who scored the winning penalty in the 2011 World Cup final shootout. Currently she plays for German Club FC Bayern Munich and captains Nadeshiko Japan. As well as the World Cup, Kumagai has won seven French domestic titles, five European Champions League titles, and an Asian Games gold medal. She played 8 seasons for Olympique Lyonnais, helping the team to consecutive victories in the European Champions League.
Mana Iwabuchi
Iwabuchi plays forward and scored the winning goal in the 2018 Asian Cup final. Currently she plays for Women’s Super League club Tottenham Hotspur. Previously she played for Aston Villa, Bayern Munich and 1899 Hoffenheim. She was part of the 2011 Women’s Soccer World Cup squad. Iwabuchi also won a silver medal in 2012 Summer Olympics in London and a gold medal in the 2018 Asian Games.
Nahomi Kawasumi
Attacking midfielder, Kawasumi, played a vital role in the 2011 World Cup triumph. A full international since 2008, she also won silver at the 2012 London Olympics. Currently she plays for NJ/NY Gotham FC in the NWSL.
Shinobu Ohno
Ohno is a striker who scored crucial goals in the 2011 World Cup, including the equalizer in the final. Currently she plays for Nojima Stella Kanagawa.
Yui Hasegawa
The attacking midfielder Yui Hasegawa won the Best Young Player award at the 2018 Asian Cup. After debuting in 2017 she has represented the national team in the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup and the 2021 Summer Olympic Games. Currently she plays for Women’s Super League club Manchester City.
Asako Takakura
Former player Takakura was the first female coach of the national team. In 2014 she led the U-17 team to victory at the 2014 U-17 Women’s World Cup and she repeated the achievement by mentoring the national team to win the 2018 Asian Cup. She was awarded the AFC Women’s Coach of the Year six times between 2012 and 2018.
Nadeshiko Japan: Past and Current Coaches
Head coach Futoshi Ikeda in 2023. (Photo by Naoki Morita/Aflo Images)
The current coach of Nadeshiko Japan is Futoshi Ikeda. Ikeda was named the manager of the Japanese Women’s national team in October 2021. He previously led Japan to the Women’s Under-20 World Cup title in 2018, defeating Spain in the final, and has also taken charge of the country’s U-19 side. A former defender Ikeda played for Urawa Red Diamonds from 1993 to 1996. After stopping his playing career in 1996 he transitioned to coaching and worked with the youth team of Urawa Reds from 1997 to 2001 and the club’s top team from 2002 to 2008.
The previous coach of Nadeshiko Japan was Asako Takakura. Takakura managed the team from 2016-2021. She was the first female to be appointed as manager of Japan’s senior national team. Takakura successfully led the team to the Asian Cup title in 2018 and was awarded the AFC Women’s Coach of the Year Award six times; in 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2017, and 2018.
Norio Sasaki coached Nadeshiko Japan from 2008-2016 and led the team to victory in the 2011 World Cup and the silver medal in the 2012 Olympics. Sasaki was awarded the AFC Coach of the Year and FIFA World Women’s Coach of the year in 2011. In addition, he was inducted into the Japan Football Hall of Fame in 2019.
Nadeshiko Japan: Current Badge and Uniform
The current Nadeshiko Japan uniform. (Photo by JFA/Aflo Images)
The team’s uniform is predominantly blue, with white and red accents and uses the same JFA badge as the men’s team. The main difference though is that Nadeshiko Japan’s jerseys include a single gold star commemorating their World Cup triumph. The uniform has undergone several changes over the years, but it has always featured the team’s distinctive blue color.
The Future of Nadeshiko Japan
U-19 Japan team training in Chiba. (Photo by JFA/Aflo Images)
As other national teams grow stronger, Japan needs to fight to keep up or risk being left behind. When the COVID-19 pandemic halted the progress of the women’s league in Japan, a significant number of players moved to play abroad. Players such as Yui Hasegawa, Mana Iwabuchi, Fuka Nagano, and Honoka Hayashi went to play in the rich Women’s Super League in England, and others, such as Saki Kumagai and Moeka Minami joined clubs in Europe.
With a new professional league launching in Japan fans are hoping to see the national team return to the top but domestic attendances and media interest has waned since the heights of 2011/12. The players will be hungry to add a second star onto their uniform at this year’s World Cup in Australia/New Zealand.
FAQ
Q: What is the meaning of the name “Nadeshiko Japan”?
A: The name “Nadeshiko Japan” refers to a type of pink flower called Dianthus superbus, which is native to Japan and represents grace, beauty, and charm.
Q: When did Nadeshiko Japan win the FIFA Women’s World Cup?
A: Nadeshiko Japan won the FIFA Women’s World Cup in 2011.
Q: Who is the current coach of Nadeshiko Japan?
A: The current coach of Nadeshiko Japan is Futoshi Ikeda.
Q: What is the color of Nadeshiko Japan’s uniform?
A: Nadeshiko Japan’s uniform is predominantly blue, with white and red accents.
Q: How many times has Nadeshiko Japan participated in the Olympic Games?
A: Nadeshiko Japan has participated in all 7 Olympic Games since women’s soccer was introduced in 1996.