We are happy to confirm the new staff structures for all the Japanese National Squads for 2026, along with some changes in staff positions.
High Performance Staff
- Alan Curr: High Performance Director
- Yuto Sato: High Performance Assistant Director
- Duncan Harrison: High Performance Consultant Coach
- Hideaki Nagamoto: Doctor
- Yuichi Yageta: Anti-Doping Educator
- Devon Van Onselen: Strength & Conditioning Coach
- Manami Hoshi: Trainer (Women’s & Women’s National Academy)
- Hiromu Inoue: Trainer (Men’s National Academy U19 & U16)
- Kendel Kadowaki-Fleming: Analyst
Men
The staffing is as follows:
- Dhugal Bedingfield: Head Coach and Head Selector
- Duncan Harrison: Selector
- Devon Van Onselen: Selector
The Men’s Japan National Squad and Men’s Japan A Squad remain as the core structures within the Men’s programme.
The Men’s Japan National Squad is an annual training squad consisting of the top performing players. The aim of the squads is to build an inspirational Men’s National Team. Men’s Japan National Teams that play International Cricket are selected from this squad.
Men A
The staffing is as follows:
- Dhugal Bedingfield: Head Coach and Head Selector
- Duncan Harrison: Selector
- Devon Van Onselen: Selector
The Men’s Japan A Squad is an annual training squad consisting of promising players with the potential of representing Japan. This squad aims to help such players maximise their potential.
Players in this squad may also be called up to represent the Men’s Japan National Team in matches or tournaments.
Japan National Academy (Men’s U19 & U16)
The staffing is as follows:
- Reo Sakurano-Thomas: Head Coach and Head Selector
- Benjamin Ito-Davis: Assistant Coach and Selector
- Kendel Kadowaki-Fleming: Assistant Coach and Selector
- Duncan Harrison: Selector
The National Academy has three sections: Men’s Under 19, Men’s Under 16 and Women.
Reo Sakurano-Thomas is Head of the Japan National Academy (Men U19, U16), supported by Benjamin Ito-Davis.
Each category is a group of promising players within each age limit that take part in an annual training program. The squads will however train together most of the time.
The aim of the Men’s U19 category is to build an inspirational Men’s U19 Japan National Team while the Men’s U16 category aims to develop the next generation of players. Men’s U19 & U16 Japan National
Teams that play International Cricket at age-group level are selected from both categories of the National Academy.
Players in this squad may also be called up to represent the Men’s Japan National Team in matches or tournaments.
Women
The staffing is as follows:
- Vinay Iyer: Head Coach and Head Selector
- Benjamin Ito-Davis: Assistant Coach and Selector
- Duncan Harrison: Selector
The Women’s Japan National Squad will be led by Vinay Iyer as Head Coach, supported by Benjamin Ito-Davis as Assistant Coach.
The Women’s Japan National Squad is an annual training squad consisting of the top performing players. The aim of the squad is to build an inspirational Women’s National Team. Women’s Japan National Teams that play International Cricket are selected from this squad.
Japan National Academy (Female)
The staffing is as follows:
- Vinay Iyer: Head Coach and Head Selector
- Souta Wada: Assistant Coach and Selector
Vinay Iyer is Head of the Japan National Academy (Female), supported by Souta Wada.
The National Academy (Female) Squad is an annual training squad consisting of promising players.
The Japan National Academy (Female) is an annual training squad consisting of talented players. The aim of the squad is to develop players that can represent Japan in the future.
This squad does not have an age limit and will also be where the Women’s U19 Japan National Team is selected from.
Players in this squad may also be called up to represent the Women’s Japan National Team in matches or tournaments.
All squads are selected in line with the JCA Eligibility Criteria.
Thank you to all the staff for the efforts they make to assist our national teams.
