Japan women's national football team

Japan

Nickname(s)	なでしこジャパン (Nadeshiko Japan)[1]
Association	Japan Football Association
Confederation	AFC (Asia)
Sub-confederation	EAFF (East Asia)
Head coach	Asako Takakura
Captain	Aya Miyama
Most caps	Homare Sawa (205)
Top scorer	Homare Sawa (83)
FIFA code	JPN
First colours Second colours
FIFA ranking
Current	8 1 (26 August 2016)[2]
Highest	3 (23 December 2011)
Lowest	14 (July 2003)
First international
India 1–0 Japan  (Jakarta, Indonesia; 21 January 1986)
Biggest win
Japan 21–0 Guam  (Guangzhou, China; 5 December 1997)
Biggest defeat
United States 9–0 Japan  (Charlotte, United States; 29 April 1999)
World Cup
Appearances	7 (first in 1991)
Best result	Winner (2011)
Asian Cup
Appearances	15 (first in 1981)
Best result	Winner (2014)
Medal record FIFA Women's World Cup 2011 Germany Team 2015 Canada Team Summer Olympics 2012 London Team AFC Women's Asian Cup 2014 Vietnam Team 2001 Chinese Taipei Team 1995 Malaysia Team 1991 Japan Team 1986 Hong Kong Team 2010 China Team 2008 Vietnam Team 1997 China Team 1993 Malaysia Team 1989 Hong Kong Team Asian Games 2010 Guangzhou Team 1990 Beijing Team 1994 Hiroshima Team 2006 Doha Team 2014 Incheon Team 1998 Bangkok Team 2002 Busan Team

The Japan women's national football team, or Nadeshiko Japan (なでしこジャパン), is a selection of the best female players in Japan and is run by the Japan Football Association (JFA). It is currently ranked 7th in the world.^[3]

Japan defeated the United States in the 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup Final in a penalty shootout, thus claiming their first FIFA Women's World Cup title, becoming the first Asian team to do so and only the fourth women's world champions.^[4] They won the silver medal at the 2012 Summer Olympics, and most recently finished second in the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup.^[5]

History

70s and 80s

During the 1970s, the number of women football players and teams increased in Japan, and teams made up regional leagues in various parts of Japan. In 1980, "All-Japan Women's Football Championship" was held, and in 1981 the Japan women's national football team played its first international match in Hong Kong. The team continued playing matches in Japan or in other countries, but it was not an "All Japan" national team but a temporarily organized team selected from the regional leagues.^[6]

In 1986, Ryohei Suzuki was selected as the coach of the Japan women's national football team, the first "All Japan" team. In 1989, the "Japan Women's Football League" (abbreviated to "L. League") was established, and the women’s national team qualified for the "1991 FIFA Women's World Cup" in China.

Crisis years

Japan women's national football team attended various championship tournaments such as the 1996 Summer Olympics and the 1995 FIFA Women's World Cup which had made the national team and the L. League very popular. However, in 1999, Japan failed to qualify for the 2000 Summer Olympics, and this helped to cause the withdrawal of a series of teams from the L. League. Japanese women’s football was on the verge of decline.

Regeneration

In August 2002, the Japan Football Association appointed Eiji Ueda, who had been coach for the Macau national football team, as the new head coach. Officials expected a revitalization of women's football and planned a team reorganization, aiming for the 2004 Summer Olympics. The team at first went through a losing streak, but Ueda gradually improved the team, and it eventually gained wide support in Japan. In particular, a game against Korea DPR, which decided who would participate in the 2004 Olympics, not only made fans rush to the National Stadium but also was widely watched on TV.

Following the increase in public interest in women's football in Japan, the JFA organized a public contest to select a nickname for the team. "Nadeshiko Japan" was chosen from among about 2,700 entries and was announced on 7 July 2004. "Nadeshiko", a kind of dianthus, comes from the phrase "Yamato Nadeshiko" (大和撫子, "ideal Japanese woman").

2003 and 2007 FIFA Women's World Cup

Japan was dropped with Germany, Canada and Argentina during 2003 FIFA Women's World Cup. Beginning by a 6-0 thrash to newcomer Argentina, but later Japan fell on 0-3 loss to later champion Germany, and 1-3 to Canada, who later won 4th place.

Again, in 2007 FIFA Women's World Cup held in China, they again faced Germany, Argentina and England. They started with a 2-2 draw over England, before beating Argentina 1-0 after 90'. But a 0-2 loss over reigning champion Germany again eliminated Japan from the group stage. Japan's disappointing campaign through two decisive Women's World Cup would not have expected to lead to a 2011 triumph.

Golden Period

2011 FIFA Women's World Cup

Nadeshiko, 2013

Japan qualified for the finals by finishing third in the 2010 AFC Women's Asian Cup. After finishing second in their group behind England, Nadeshiko Japan beat two-time defending champion and host nation Germany 1–0 in the quarterfinals, before easily defeating Sweden 3–1 to reach the final.

After the final game finished 2–2 after extra time, Japan beat the United States 3–1 in a penalty shootout, becoming the first Asian team to win the FIFA Women's World Cup, and the first Asian team to win a senior FIFA title.^[7][8] It came right after men's team won the 2011 AFC Asian Cup, marked their most successful year in Japanese football.

2012 Summer Olympics

Japan qualified for the 2012 Summer Olympics by finishing first in the Asian qualifier in September 2011, only 6 weeks after winning the Women's World Cup. At the Olympics, after finishing second in their group behind Sweden, Nadeshiko Japan defeated Brazil 2–0 in the quarterfinals, followed by a 2–1 victory over France, whom Nadeshiko had lost to in a friendly match right before the Olympics, to reach the final.

In a rematch of the World Cup final, Japan was defeated in the Olympic final by a score of 1-2 against the United States, allowing two goals to Carli Lloyd in the 8th and 54th minutes. Yūki Ōgimi scored the lone goal for Japan.^[9]

2014 AFC Women's Asian Cup

Despite having won a FIFA Women's World Cup in 2011, Japan entered the 2014 Asian Cup having never previously won the tournament. They were drawn with Asia's Queen Australia, host Vietnam and newcomer Jordan. Their first match in the group stage of the tournament resulted in a 2-2 draw against the defending champion Australia.^[10] Also in the group stage, Japan upset host Vietnam by a 4-0 win before defeating Jordan with a 7-0 win to finish first with a higher goal difference.

In the semi-final, Japan beat seven-time champions China 2-1 after 120'. In the final, they met Australia once again and successfully earned a 1-0 win with Azusa Iwashimizu's goal. This marked the first time Japan become "Queen of Asia". They became the first Asian team to subsequently win both the FIFA Women's World Cup and AFC Women's Asian Cup. Because of their top placement in the tournament, Japan, Australia, China, South Korea and newcomer Thailand secured their spot at the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup to be played in Canada the following year.^[11]

2015 FIFA Women's World Cup

The national teams of Japan and United States at the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup.

Japan, then fourth in the world, was drawn into Group C for the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup, with tournament debutants Ecuador, Switzerland, and Cameroon. Nadeshiko Japan won all three games, securing passage into the Round of 16, where they drew yet another tournament debutant in the Netherlands. Saori Ariyoshi and Mizuho Sakaguchi scored goals for Japan, and they ultimately survived a couple of nervy moments to get into the quarterfinals. Against Australia, Japan once again used their technical possession game to frustrate The Matildas and negate their speed. Mana Iwabuchi notched the only goal of the game three minutes from time to send Japan to the semifinals.

Against England in the semifinals, Nadeshiko Japan was able to survive against the tenacious Lionesses, as the two teams traded goals from the penalty spot (Aya Miyama for Japan, Fara Williams for England). Deadlocked from the 40th minute on, Japan got a truly fortunate break as English centre back Laura Bassett, in trying to clear out a Japan cross, ended up scoring an own-goal at the death. This set up a rematch with the United States from the 2011 Women's World Cup.

Unfortunately for Japan, the Americans came out flying and scored four goals in the first 16 minutes of the match, with American striker Carli Lloyd scoring a hat trick in the process. Yuki Ogimi brought Japan one back in the 27th minute, and an own goal from Julie Johnston halved the American lead, but Tobin Heath put the final touch on the United States' third Women's World Cup victory.

Schedule and results

All time results

Date	Venue	Opponent	Result*	Competition	Japanese scorers
24 May 2015	Kagawa Marugame Stadium, Marugame  Japan	New Zealand	1–0 W	Friendly match	Sawa  23'
28 May 2015	Nagano Olympic Stadium, Nagano  Japan	Italy	1–0 W	Friendly match	Ōgimi  52'
8 June 2015[12]	BC Place, Vancouver  Canada	Switzerland	1–0 W	2015 FIFA Women's World Cup	Miyama  29' (pen.)
12 June 2015	BC Place, Vancouver  Canada	Cameroon	2–1 W	2015 FIFA Women's World Cup	Sameshima  6' Sugasawa  17'
16 June 2015	Investors Group Field, Winnipeg  Canada	Ecuador	1–0 W	2015 FIFA Women's World Cup	Ōgimi  5'
23 June 2015	BC Place, Vancouver  Canada	Netherlands	2–1 W	2015 FIFA Women's World Cup	Ariyoshi  10' Sakaguchi  78'
27 June 2015	Commonwealth Stadium, Edmonton  Canada	Australia	1–0 W	2015 FIFA Women's World Cup	Iwabuchi  87'
1 July 2015	Commonwealth Stadium, Edmonton  Canada	England	2–1 W	2015 FIFA Women's World Cup	Miyama  32' (pen.) Bassett  90+2' (o.g.)
5 July 2015	BC Place, Vancouver  Canada	United States	2–5 L	2015 FIFA Women's World Cup	Ogimi  27' Johnston  52' (o.g.)
1 August 2015	Wuhan Sports Center Stadium, Wuhan  China	North Korea	2–4 L	2015 EAFF Women's East Asian Cup	Masuya  48' Sugita  69'
4 August 2015	Wuhan Sports Center Stadium, Wuhan  China	South Korea	1–2 L	2015 EAFF Women's East Asian Cup	Nakajima  29'
8 August 2015	Wuhan Sports Center Stadium, Wuhan  China	China PR	2–0 W	2015 EAFF Women's East Asian Cup	Yokoyama  88' Sugita  90+2'
29 November 2015	Kras Stadion, Volendam  Netherlands	Netherlands	1–3 L	Friendly match	Sakaguchi  49'
29 February 2016[13]	Kincho Stadium, Osaka  Japan	Australia	1–3 L	2016 Summer Olympic qualifying	Ōgimi  45+2'
2 March 2016	Kincho Stadium, Osaka  Japan	South Korea	1–1 D	2016 Summer Olympic qualifying	Iwabuchi  84'
4 March 2016	Kincho Stadium, Osaka  Japan	China PR	1–2 L	2016 Summer Olympic qualifying	Yokoyama  65'
7 March 2016	Kincho Stadium, Osaka  Japan	Vietnam	6–1 W	2016 Summer Olympic qualifying	Iwabuchi  39' Ohno  45' Kawasumi  80' Nakajima  83' Yokoyama  90' Ogimi  90+3'
9 March 2016	Kincho Stadium, Osaka  Japan	North Korea	1–0 W	2016 Summer Olympic qualifying	Iwabuchi  80'
2 June 2016	Dick's Sporting Goods Park, Commerce City  United States	United States	3–3 D	Friendly match	Iwabuchi  14' Ogimi  22' Yokoyama  90+3'
5 June 2016	FirstEnergy Stadium, Cleveland  United States	United States	0–2 L (Match abandoned in 76')	Friendly match
21 July 2016	Guldfågeln Arena, Kalmar  Sweden	Sweden	0–3 L	Friendly match

* Japan score always listed first

  Win   Draw   Loss

Coaches

• Ryōhei Suzuki (1986–1989)
• Tamotsu Suzuki (1989–1996, 1999)
• Satoshi Miyauchi (1997–1999)
• Shinobu Ikeda (2000–2001)
• Eiji Ueda (2002–2004)
• Hiroshi Ōhashi (2004–2008)
• Norio Sasaki (2008–2016)
• Asako Takakura (2016–)

Players

Current squad

The following squad has been selected for the international friendly against Sweden on July 21, 2016.

Caps and goals as of 5 June 2016, after the match against United States.

#	Name	Date of birth (age)	Caps	Goals	Club
Goalkeepers
1	Erina Yamane (山根 恵里奈)	20 December 1990	21	0	JEF United Chiba Ladies
12	Ayaka Yamashita (山下 杏也加)	29 September 1995	5	0	NTV Beleza
18	Chika Hirao (平尾 知佳)	31 December 1996	0	0	Urawa Red Diamonds Ladies
Defenders
2	Saori Ariyoshi (有吉 佐織)	1 November 1987	48	1	NTV Beleza
3	Tomoko Muramatsu (村松 智子)	23 October 1994	3	0	NTV Beleza
4	Saki Kumagai (熊谷 紗希)	17 October 1990	80	0	Olympique Lyonnais
5	Yuri Kawamura (川村 優理)	17 May 1989	28	2	Vegalta Sendai Ladies
15	Hikari Takagi (高木 ひかり)	21 May 1993	1	0	Nojima Stella Kanagawa Sagamihara
19	Mayu Sasaki (佐々木 繭)	12 January 1993	2	0	Vegalta Sendai Ladies
Midfielders
6	Rumi Utsugi (宇津木 瑠美)	5 December 1988	89	5	Seattle Reign FC
7	Emi Nakajima (中島 依美)	27 September 1990	31	7	INAC Kobe Leonessa
8	Sonoko Chiba (千葉 園子)	15 June 1993	2	0	AS Harima ALBION
10	Mizuho Sakaguchi (vc) (阪口 夢穂)	15 October 1987	102	28	NTV Beleza
13	Rika Masuya (増矢理花)	14 September 1995	12	3	INAC Kobe Leonessa
14	Yu Nakasato (中里 優)	14 July 1994	2	0	NTV Beleza
16	Mai Kyokawa (京川 舞)	28 December 1993	5	0	INAC Kobe Leonessa
21	Shino Kunisawa (國澤 志乃)	27 April 1991	0	0	AC Nagano Parceiro Ladies
Forwards
9	Yūki Ōgimi (c) (大儀見 優季)	15 July 1987	131	58	1. FFC Frankfurt
11	Saori Arimachi (有町 紗央里)	12 July 1988	5	0	Vegalta Sendai Ladies
17	Mina Tanaka (田中 美南)	28 April 1994	6	1	NTV Beleza
20	Kumi Yokoyama (横山 久美)	13 August 1993	12	5	AC Nagano Parceiro Ladies

Recent call ups

The following players have been called up to the Japan squad in the past 12 months.

Pos.	Name	Date of birth (age)	Caps	Goals	Club	Latest call-up
Goalkeepers
GK	Sakiko Ikeda (池田 咲紀子)	8 September 1992	0	0	Urawa Reds Ladies	v.  United States, 5 June 2016
GK	Miho Fukumoto (福元 美穂)	2 October 1983	81	0	Okayama Yunogo Belle	2016 AFC Women's Olympic Qualifying Tournament
GK	Fubuki Kuno (久野 吹雪)	27 December 1989	1	0	Iga Football Club Kunoichi	Training camp 13–19 Feb 2016
Defenders
DF	Yukari Kinga (近賀 ゆかり)	2 May 1984	100	5	INAC Kobe Leonessa	2016 AFC Women's Olympic Qualifying Tournament
DF	Megumi Kamionobe (上尾野辺 めぐみ)	15 March 1986	34	2	Albirex Niigata Ladies	2016 AFC Women's Olympic Qualifying Tournament
DF	Azusa Iwashimizu (岩清水 梓)	14 October 1986	122	11	NTV Beleza	2016 AFC Women's Olympic Qualifying Tournament
DF	Aya Sameshima (鮫島 彩)	16 June 1987	72	4	INAC Kobe Leonessa	2016 AFC Women's Olympic Qualifying Tournament
DF	Asuna Tanaka (田中 明日菜)	23 April 1988	39	3	INAC Kobe Leonessa	2016 AFC Women's Olympic Qualifying Tournament
DF	Ryoko Takara (高良 亮子)	9 April 1990	3	0	Vegalta Sendai Ladies	Training camp 13–19 Feb 2016
DF	Kaede Nakamura (中村 楓)	3 August 1991	0	0	Albirex Niigata Ladies	Training camp 13–19 Feb 2016
DF	Ruka Norimatsu (乗松 瑠華)	30 January 1996	2	0	Urawa Reds Ladies	Training camp 13–19 Feb 2016 ^INJ
DF	Yuki Sakai (坂井 優紀)	10 January 1989	1	0	Vegalta Sendai Ladies	v.  Netherlands, 29 November 2015
DF	Kana Osafune (長船 加奈)	16 October 1989	15	2	Vegalta Sendai Ladies	v.  Netherlands, 29 November 2015
Midfielders
MF	Ami Sugita (杉田 亜未)	14 March 1992	5	2	Iga Football Club Kunoichi	v.  United States, 5 June 2016
MF	Aya Miyama (宮間 あや)	28 January 1985	162	38	Okayama Yunogo Belle	2016 AFC Women's Olympic Qualifying Tournament
MF	Nahomi Kawasumi (川澄 奈穂美)	23 September 1985	82	20	Seattle Reign FC	2016 AFC Women's Olympic Qualifying Tournament
MF	Hikaru Naomoto (猶本 光 )	3 March 1994	8	0	Urawa Reds Ladies	Training camp 22–25 Feb 2016
Forwards
FW	Yuika Sugasawa (菅澤 優衣香)	5 October 1990	39	10	JEF United Chiba Ladies	v.  United States, 5 June 2016
FW	Mana Iwabuchi (岩渕 真奈)	18 March 1993	37	8	FC Bayern Munich	v.  United States, 5 June 2016
FW	Shinobu Ohno (大野 忍)	23 January 1984	139	40	INAC Kobe Leonessa	2016 AFC Women's Olympic Qualifying Tournament
FW	Megumi Takase (高瀬 愛実)	10 November 1990	61	9	INAC Kobe Leonessa	2016 AFC Women's Olympic Qualifying Tournament

• ^INJ Player withdrew from the squad due to an injury.

Records

As of 5 June 2016

Top appearances # Player Year(s) Caps 1 Homare Sawa 1993–2015 205 2 Aya Miyama 2003– 162 3 Shinobu Ohno 2003– 139 4 Yūki Ōgimi 2004– 131 5 Kozue Ando 1999– 126 6 Azusa Iwashimizu 2006– 122 7 Hiromi Ikeda 1997–2008 119 8 Tomoe Katō (Sakai) 1997–2008 114 9 Mizuho Sakaguchi 2006– 102 10 Nozomi Yamago 1997–2011 96

Top goalscorers # Player Year(s) Goals Caps 1 Homare Sawa 1993–2015 83 205 2 Yūki Ōgimi 2004– 58 131 3 Kaori Nagamine 1983–1996 49 64 4 Shinobu Ohno 2003– 40 139 5 Aya Miyama 2003– 38 162 6 Mio Ohtani 2000–2007 31 73 7 Kioka Futaba 1981–1996 30 75 8 Asako Takakura 1984-1996 29 79 8 Nami Ohtake 1993–2000 29 46 10 Mizuho Sakaguchi 2006– 28 102

World Cup

Hosts / Year Result GP W D* L GS GA GD 1991 Group stage 3 0 0 3 0 12 −12 1995 Quarterfinal 4 1 0 3 2 8 −6 1999 Group stage 3 0 1 2 1 10 −9 2003 Group stage 3 1 0 2 7 6 +1 2007 Group stage 3 1 1 1 3 4 −1 2011 Champions 6 4 1 1 12 6 +6 2015 Runner-up 7 6 0 1 11 8 +3 Total 7/7 29 13 3 13 36 54 −18 *Draws include knockout matches decided on penalty kicks.

FIFA Women's World Cup record Year Round Score Result 1991 Round 1  Japan 0–1  Brazil Loss Round 1  Japan 0–8  Sweden Loss Round 1  Japan 0–3  United States Loss 1995 Round 1  Japan 0–1  Germany Loss Round 1  Japan 2–1  Brazil Win Round 1  Japan 0–2  Sweden Loss Quarterfinals  Japan 0–4  United States Loss 1999 Round 1  Japan 1–1  Canada Draw Round 1  Japan 0–5  Russia Loss Round 1  Japan 0–4  Norway Loss 2003 Round 1  Japan 6–0  Argentina Win Round 1  Japan 0–3  Germany Loss Round 1  Japan 1–3  Canada Loss 2007 Round 1  Japan 2–2  England Draw Round 1  Japan 1–0  Argentina Win Round 1  Japan 0–2  Germany Loss 2011 Round 1  Japan 2–1  New Zealand Win Round 1  Japan 4–0  Mexico Win Round 1  Japan 0–2  England Loss Quarterfinals  Japan 1–0  Germany Win Semifinals  Japan 3–1  Sweden Win Final  Japan 2–2 (3–1)  United States Win 2015 Round 1  Japan 1–0   Switzerland Win Round 1  Japan 2–1  Cameroon Win Round 1  Japan 1–0  Ecuador Win Round of 16  Japan 2–1  Netherlands Win Quarterfinals  Japan 1–0  Australia Win Semifinals  Japan 2–1  England Win Final  Japan 2–5  United States Loss

Olympic Games

Hosts / Year Result GP W D* L GS GA GD 1996 Round 1 3 0 0 3 2 9 −7 2000 Did not Qualify 2004 Quarterfinals 3 1 0 2 2 3 −1 2008 Fourth place 6 2 1 3 11 10 +1 2012 Silver medal 6 3 2 1 7 4 +3 2016 Did not Qualify 2020 Host Total 5/7 18 6 3 9 22 26 −4 *Draws include knockout matches decided on penalty kicks.

Olympic Games record Year Round Score Result 1996 Round 1  Japan 2–3  Germany Loss Round 1  Japan 0–2  Brazil Loss Round 1  Japan 0–4  Norway Loss 2004 Round 1  Japan 1–0  Sweden Win Round 1  Japan 0–1  Nigeria Loss Quarterfinals  Japan 1–2  United States Loss 2008 Round 1  Japan 2–2  New Zealand Draw Round 1  Japan 0–1  United States Loss Round 1  Japan 5–1  Norway Win Quarterfinals  Japan 2–0  China PR Win Semifinals  Japan 2–4  United States Loss Third place  Japan 0–2  Germany Loss 2012 Round 1  Japan 2–1  Canada Win Round 1  Japan 0–0  Sweden Draw Round 1  Japan 0–0  South Africa Draw Quarterfinals  Japan 2–0  Brazil Win Semifinals  Japan 2–1  France Win Final  Japan 1–2  United States Loss

AFC Asian Cup

Hosts / Year	Result	GP	W	D*	L	GS	GA	GD
1975	Did not enter	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
1977	Group Stage	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
1979	Did not enter	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
1981	Group stage	3	1	0	2	1	3	-2
1983	Did not enter	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
1986	Runners-up	4	2	0	2	14	4	+10
1989	Third place	5	4	0	1	37	1	+36
1991	Runners-up	6	4	1	1	27	6	+21
1993	Third place	5	4	0	1	29	4	+25
1995	Runners-up	5	4	0	1	27	3	+24
1997	Third place	5	4	0	1	33	1	+32
1999	Fourth place	6	4	0	2	36	6	+30
2001	Runners-up	6	4	0	2	30	5	+25
2003	Fourth place	6	4	0	2	34	4	+30
2006	Fourth place	5	3	0	2	19	6	+13
2008	Third place	5	3	0	2	19	7	+12
2010	Third place	5	4	0	1	16	2	+14
2014	Champions	5	4	1	0	16	3	+13
Total	13/18	71	49	2	20	338	55	+283

*Draws include knockout matches decided on penalty kicks.

EAFF Women's East Asian Cup

Hosts / Year	Result	Pld	W	D*	L	GF	GA	GD
2005	Third place	3	0	2	1	0	1	-1
2008	Champions	3	3	0	0	8	2	+6
2010	Champions	3	3	0	0	7	1	+6
2013	Runners-up	3	1	1	1	3	2	+1
2015	Third place	3	1	0	2	5	6	-1
Total	5/5	15	8	3	4	23	12	+11

*Draws include knockout matches decided on penalty kicks.

Asian Games

Hosts / Year	Result	GP	W	D*	L	GS	GA	GD
1990	Runners-up	5	3	1	1	17	8	+9
1994	Runners-up	4	2	1	1	9	3	+6
1998	Third place	5	3	0	2	18	7	+11
2002	Third place	5	3	1	1	8	3	+5
2006	Runners-up	5	4	1	0	21	1	+20
2010	Champions	4	3	1	0	6	0	+6
2014	Runners-up	6	4	1	1	28	3	+25
Total	7/7	34	22	6	6	107	25	+82

*Draws include knockout matches decided on penalty kicks.

FIFA Rankings

July 2003 : 14 August 2003 : 14 (→) October 2003 : 14 (→) December 2003 : 14 (→) March 2004 : 14 (→) June 2004 : 13 (↑) August 2004 : 13 (→) December 2004 : 13 (→) March 2005 : 12 (↑) June 2005 : 11 (↑) September 2005 : 11 (→) December 2005 : 11 (→) March 2006 : 11 (→) May 2006 : 13 (↓)

September 2006 : 13 (→) December 2006 : 10 (↑) March 2007 : 9 (↑) June 2007 : 10 (↓) October 2007 : 11 (↓) December 2007 : 11 (→) March 2008 : 10 (↑) June 2008 : 10 (→) September 2008 : 9 (↑) December 2008 : 9 (→) March 2009 : 7 (↑) June 2009 : 7 (→) September 2009 : 6 (↑) December 2009 : 6 (→)

March 2010 : 5 (↑) May 2010 : 5 (→) August 2010 : 5 (→) November 2010 : 5 (→) March 2011 : 4 (↑) July 2011 : 4 (→) September 2011 : 4 (→) December 2011 : 3 (↑) March 2012 : 3 (→) June 2012 : 3 (→) August 2012 : 3 (→) December 2012 : 3 (→) March 2013 : 3 (→) June 2013 : 3 (→)

Honors

International

• FIFA Women's World Cup

Champions: 2011

Runners-up: 2015

• Olympics

Runners-up: 2012

Continental

• AFC Women's Asian Cup

Champions: 2014

Runners-Up: 1986, 1991, 1995, 2001

• Football at the Asian Games

Champions: 2010

Regional

• EAFF Women's Football Championship

Champions: 2008, 2010

Overall official record

Competition	Stage	Result	Opponent	Position	Notes
1981 Asian Championship	Round 1	0–1	Chinese Taipei
		0–2	Thailand
		1–0	Indonesia	3 / 4
1986 Asian Championship	Round 1	0–2	China
		10–0	Malaysia	2 / 3
	Semifinals	4–0	Thailand
	Final	0–2	China
1989 Asian Championship	Round 1	3–0	Hong Kong
		11–0	Indonesia
		14–0	Nepal	1 / 4
	Semifinals	0–1	Chinese Taipei
	Third place	9–0	Hong Kong
1990 Asian Games	Main Round	0–5	China
		5–0	Hong Kong
		8–1	South Korea
		1–1	North Korea
		3–1	Chinese Taipei	2 / 6
1991 Asian Championship	Round 1	1–0	North Korea
		4–1	Hong Kong
		12–0	Malaysia
		12–0	Singapore	1 / 5
	Semifinals	0–0 (PSO: 5–4)	Chinese Taipei
	Final	0–5	China
1991 World Cup	Round 1	0–1	Brazil
		0–8	Sweden
		0–3	United States
1993 Asian Championship	Round 1	6–1	Chinese Taipei
		15–0	Philippines
		4–0	Hong Kong	1 / 4
	Semifinals	1–3	China
	Final	3–0	Chinese Taipei
1994 Asian Games	Round 1	1–1	China
		3–0	Chinese Taipei
		5–0	South Korea	2 / 4
	Final	0–2	China
1995 World Cup	Round 1	0–1	Germany
		2–1	Brazil
		0–2	Sweden	3 / 4
	Quarterfinals	0–4	United States
1995 Asian Championship	Round 1	1–0	South Korea
		6–0	India
		17–0	Uzbekistan	1 / 4
	Semifinals	3–0	Chinese Taipei
	Final	0–2	China
1996 Summer Olympics	Round 1	2–3	Germany
		0–2	Brazil
		0–4	Norway	4 / 4
1997 Asian Championship	Round 1	21–0	Guam
		1–0	India
		9–0	Uzbekistan	1 / 4
	Semifinals	0–1	North Korea
	Third place	2–0	Chinese Taipei
1998 Asian Games	Round 1	6–0	Thailand
		2–3	North Korea
		8–0	Vietnam	2 / 4
	Semifinals	0–3	China
	Third place	2–1	Chinese Taipei
1999 World Cup	Round 1	1–1	Canada
		0–5	Russia
		0–4	Norway	4 / 4
1999 Asian Championship	Round 1	9–0	Thailand
		5–1	Uzbekistan
		14–0	Nepal
		6–0	Philippines	1 / 5
	Semifinals	0–2	Chinese Taipei
	Third place	2–3	North Korea
2001 Asian Championship	Round 1	14–0	Singapore
		11–0	Guam
		0–1	North Korea
		3–1	Vietnam	2 / 5
	Semifinals	2–1	South Korea
	Final	0–2	North Korea
2002 Asian Games	Main round	0–1	North Korea
		3–0	Vietnam
		1–0	South Korea
		2–2	China
		2–0	Chinese Taipei	3 / 6
2003 Asian Championship	Round 1	15–0	Philippines
		7–0	Guam
		7–0	Myanmar
		5–0	Chinese Taipei	1 / 5
	Semifinals	0–3	North Korea
	Third place	0–1	South Korea
2003 World Cup	Round 1	6–0	Argentina
		0–3	Germany
		1–3	Canada	3 / 4
2004 Summer Olympics	Round 1	1–0	Sweden
		0–1	Nigeria	3 / 3
	Quarterfinals	1–2	United States		Awarded the Fair Play Award
2005 East Asian Championship	Main Round	0–1	North Korea
		0–0	China
		0–0	South Korea	3 / 4	Awarded the Fair Play Award
2006 Asian Games	Round 1	13–0	Jordan
		4–0	Thailand
		1–0	China	1 / 4
	Semifinals	3–1	South Korea
	Final	0–0 (PSO: 2–4)	South Korea
2006 Asian Championship	Round 1	5–0	Vietnam
		11–1	Chinese Taipei
		1–0	China	1 / 4
	Semifinals	0–2	Australia
	Third place	2–3	North Korea
2007 World Cup	Round 1	2–2	England
		1–0	Argentina
		0–2	Germany	3 / 4
2008 East Asian Championship	Main Round	3–2	North Korea
		2–0	South Korea
		3–0	China	1 / 4
2008 Asian Cup	Round 1	1–3	South Korea
		11–0	Chinese Taipei
		3–1	Australia	1 / 4
	Semifinals	1–3	China
	Third place	3–0	Australia
2008 Summer Olympics qualification	Final round	2–0	Vietnam
		4–0	Thailand
		6–1	South Korea	1 / 4
2008 Summer Olympics	Round 1	2–2	New Zealand
		0–1	United States
		5–1	Norway	3 / 4
	Quarterfinals	2–0	China
	Semifinals	2–4	United States
	Third place	0–2	Germany
2010 East Asian Championship	Round 1	2–0	New Zealand
		3–0	Chinese Taipei
		2–1	South Korea	1 / 4
2010 Asian Cup	Round 1	8–0	Myanmar
		4–0	Thailand
		2–1	North Korea	1 / 4
	Semifinals	0–1	Australia
	Third place	2–0	China
2010 Asian Games	Round 1	4–0	Thailand
		0–0	North Korea	1 / 3
	Semifinals	1–0	China
	Final	1–0	North Korea
2011 World Cup	Round 1	2–1	New Zealand
		4–0	Mexico
		0–2	England	2 / 4
	Quarterfinals	1–0	Germany
	Semifinals	3–1	Sweden
	Final	2–2 (PSO: 3–1)	United States		Awarded the Fair Play Award
2012 Summer Olympics qualification	Final round	3–0	Thailand
		2–1	South Korea
		1–0	Australia
		1–1	North Korea
		1–0	China
2012 Summer Olympics	Round 1	2–1	Canada
		0–0	Sweden
		0–0	South Africa	2 / 4
	Quarterfinals	2–0	Brazil
	Semifinals	2–1	France
	Finals	1–2	United States
2013 EAFF Women's East Asian Cup	Final round	2–0	China
		0–0	North Korea
		1–2	South Korea
2014 AFC Women's Asian Cup	Round 1	2–2	Australia
		4–0	Vietnam
		7–0	Jordan	1 / 4
	Semifinals	2–1	China PR
	Final	1–0	Australia
2015 World Cup	Round 1	1–0	Switzerland
		2–1	Cameroon
		1–0	Ecuador	1 / 4
	Round of 16	2–1	Netherlands
	Quarterfinals	1–0	Australia
	Semifinals	2–1	England
	Final	2–5	United States

Youth national teams

Under-20 team

Under-17 team

References

1. "Taking the Measure of the Year's Victors". The New York Times. Retrieved 2012-09-02.
2. "Japan: FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking". Retrieved 10 July 2015.
3. "Japan: FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking". Retrieved 27 March 2015.
4. "Japan claim maiden title". fifa.com. July 17, 2011. Retrieved July 2, 2015.
5. "2015 FIFA Women's World Cup: Complete Tournament Results". ABC News. July 6, 2015. Retrieved July 6, 2015.
6. Hongo, Jun, "Nadeshiko Japan eyes London Olympic gold", Japan Times, 24 January 2012, p. 3.
7. "Japan edge USA for maiden title". FIFA. 17 July 2011. Retrieved 17 July 2011.
8. "Women's World Cup final: Japan beat USA on penalties". BBC Sport. 17 July 2011. Retrieved 18 July 2011.
9. "Olympics football: USA beat Japan to secure gold in Wembley thriller". BBC. August 12, 2012. Retrieved July 2, 2015.
10. "Nadeshiko Japan beats Australia to win Women's Asian Cup". The Japan Times. May 26, 2014. Retrieved October 28, 2014.
11. "Japan lift 2014 AFC Women's Asian Cup". Goal.com. May 26, 2014. Retrieved 28 October 2014.
12. "Group C: World champions to face debutant trio". FIFA. 2014-12-07. Retrieved 2014-12-12.
13. "女子サッカー アジア最終予選（リオデジャネイロオリンピック2016". JFA. 2015-11-27. Retrieved 2015-11-27.

External links

• Official website
• FIFA profile