It’s been 47 years since Japan last played in the championship round of the FIVB Women’s World Championship. Can Hinotori Nippon return to the big stage and move one step closer towards the title?
Japan is chasing history when it faces Turkey in the semifinals of the 2025 FIVB Women’s World Championships on September 6, aiming to end a 48-year wait for a return to the championship round.
Match time is at 4:30 p.m. (PH time).
Hinotori Nippon leaned on the dynamic duo of Yukiko Wada and Mayu Ishikawa to outlast the Netherlands in a grueling five-set quarterfinal clash, 20-25, 25-20, 22-25, 25-22, 15-12.
[ALSO READ: Wada, Ishikawa shine as Japan reaches FIVB World Championship semis for first time since 2010]
Wada delivered a game-high 27 points built on 23 attacks and four aces, while team captain Ishikawa scored 26 and came through in the clutch with seven points in the deciding set.
Japan has not reached the championship round since 1978, when it beat South Korea in the semifinals but fell in straight sets to Cuba in the title match.
Nearly five decades later, Hinotori Nippon is once again on the cusp of history, with Turkey standing as the final hurdle to end its long wait for another shot at gold.
The semifinal berth continues Japan’s inspired run in the tournament, which began with a perfect 3-0 sweep in Group H before a dominant Round of 16 win over Thailand.
(With reports from Pao Ambat)
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[Editor's note: This article was written by a member of the One Sports Digital with the help of AI, and then checked by the staff to ensure accuracy.]