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Posted on Jan 12, 2026 / Sports

Team Japan will compete at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy, marking its 23rd appearance at the Winter Games with a delegation of 67 athletes across 7 sports, including figure skating, speed skating, short‑track, cross‑country, alpine, curling and women’s ice hockey. The team includes more women than men (48 women to 19 men), showing strong depth especially in skating and sliding disciplines.

Japan’s figure skating squad is a major medal highlight, led by Yuma Kagiyama, Olympic and World Championship medallist aiming for more podium success in men’s singles. Veterans like Kaori Sakamoto, a three‑time world champion who plans to retire after these Games, are also expected to shine in ladies’ singles. Japan will also compete in pair and ice dance events with teams like Yuna Nagaoka / Sumitada Moriguchi, who secured their Olympic berth with strong international results.

In speed skating, Japan has a large team with 14 qualified athletes (7 men and 7 women) based on World Cup results, giving strong medal potential in distances from sprint to middle distance. Seasoned skaters like Miho Takagi — a multiple Olympic medallist and world record‑setter — are among the ones to watch for podium finishes.

Japan’s short‑track speed skating team also boasts nine qualified athletes (four men and five women), ready to compete in individual distances and relays where tactical racing and speed both matter. This squad has shown competitive results on the World Tour and looks to challenge strong fields from Korea, China, and Europe.

The Japan women’s ice hockey team qualified by earning its spot through a final qualification tournament and will compete in Group B, offering chances for strong group stage results against tough opponents. Fans expect fast skating and disciplined team play to be hallmarks of their games.

Japan also enters curling with an all‑women squad, led by skip Sayaka Yoshimura, which secured its Olympic place by winning a key qualification event. This team combines experience and tactical savvy to compete through the round‑robin and aim for playoff contention.

The alpine skiing and cross‑country skiing teams are smaller but include competitive athletes who will race with personal goals of strong finishes and potential upsets, adding depth to Japan’s overall program.

Overall, Team Japan blends skating stars, experienced figure skaters, strong teams in short‑track and hockey, and rising talents across disciplines, making it one of the most watched Asian contingents at Milano Cortina 2026 and a nation with real medal hopes on ice and snow.

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