Following two stops in the PVL with sister teams Nxled and Akari, Taka Minowa returns to Japan to join a men’s team in the V.League.
Former Akari Chargers head coach Taka Minowa is returning to Japan as he was announced as an assistant coach for Japan V.League men’s team Aisin Tealmare.
Minowa, husband of Filipino-born Sachi Minowa (formerly known as Jaja Santiago), was a coach in the PVL since 2023 beginning with the Nxled Chameleons, before he was shipped off to sister team Akari after one season.
The 33-year-old then helped Akari reach the Finals at the 2024 Reinforced Conference, before ultimately losing against powerhouse Creamline Cool Smashers in the championship round.
He also coached Akari in the 2024-25 PVL All-Filipino Conference where they ended up third, beating the Choco Mucho Flying Titans in the battle for bronze in three games.
Minowa announced his departure from Akari in late May.
He was succeeded by FEU women’s head coach Tina Salak in the subsequent PVL on Tour tournament, which recently wrapped up with PLDT winning the championship.
Post-Minowa, Akari finished 8th in the 12-team standings of the tournament while missing the services of Fifi Sharma and Justine Jazareno who are both playing for Alas Pilipinas.
Prior to Aisin Tealmare, he also coached for the Saitama Ageo Medics, where Santiago also played during the earlier days of her career in Japan.
The Japan V.League is now Japan's second-tier men’s and women’s volleyball competition after the SV.League.