World Cup Dream Remains as Japan Defeat Samoa

Posted by

The Men’s Japan National team kept their World Cup dreams alive in a de-facto EAP Regional Final against Samoa in the Super Six stage of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Asia & EAP Qualifier in Oman.

Samoa, who had already knocked out Papua New Guinea, won the toss and chose to bowl first under the lights in a huge game for both teams, knowing that a loss would be make it extremely difficult to progress to the World Cup.

Openers Kendel Kadowaki-Fleming and Abhishek Anand put on 69 from 54 balls before the captain was adjudged LBW for 35 from 31 balls at the end of the 9th over.

Anand went on to reach his fifty from 38 balls before falling four balls later for 55 which left Japan 117 for three with less than five overs to play.

Enter Ibrahim Takahashi, who displayed his power hitting in the win over Kuwait, and was instrumental again in propelling Japan to a defendable total. His 30 from 14 balls pumped momentum into the innings as four almighty sixes were sent into the night sky towards the nearby mountain ranges.

A final total of 162 for six felt par, and when Samoa made a fast start the Japan team was under intense pressure to keep their dream alive.

Sean Solia (41 from 23) and Darius Visser (27 from 29) were the dangermen for Samoa and as they put on 66 for the first wicket inside eight overs Japan were desperately looking for a breakthrough.

Declan Suzuki, who finished with three for 29, was the man to provide it, after finishing an over where Sabaorish Ravichandran had to leave the field with a cut hand, all adding to the drama.

Japan squeezed the innings to a point where Samoa needed 42 from the final 18 balls, but just as fans began to relax, momentum swung again. Saumani Tiai played the Takahashi role, smoking 34 from 17 balls, including 26 from the 18th over to put his team in charge again as only 16 were needed from the final two overs.

Suzuki bowled the 19th, conceding 7 runs and taking the crucial wicket of Ross Taylor, before Shoma Sugaya-Slater successfully defended nine from the final over, dismissing Tiai with fourth ball of the over and securing the win by just four runs.

Japan will now rest the next two days and be back in action on Wednesday 15th October at 3pm JST.

Warm Up Matches:

Tournament Matches:

*Oman is 5 hours behind Japan

Super Six

  • 12th October (Sunday) 19:30 Japan vs Samoa (Japan won by four runs)
  • 15th October (Wednesday) 10:00 Japan vs Qatar
  • 16th October (Thursday) 14:30 Japan vs UAE
  • 17th October (Friday) 10:00 Japan vs Oman

All tournament matches can be watched live on ICC.tv while matches can also be followed live on the JCA App. 

Men’s National Team Partner

  • Mitsui Knowledge Industry Co., Ltd.

Mitsui Knowledge Industry Co., Ltd. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Mitsui & Co., Ltd. (MKI) specialized in providing services and products related to ICT (information and communication technology). Partnering with various global ICT vendors and supporting more than 2,500 companies, MKI offers best-in-class solutions to customers.

Website: https://www.mki.co.jp/english/

JCA Official Social Media

 

Japan Show Fight In Defeat To Nepal

Posted by

The men’s Japan national team fought hard against a quality Nepal team in front of a partisan crowd in Oman at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Asia & EAP Qualifier.

After winning the toss and choosing to bowl, Nepal may have been questioning their decision as Japan moved to 95 for one after 12 overs.

It was a partnership of 86 from 57 balls between Kendel Kadowaki-Fleming (60 off 46) and Esam Rahman (31 off 25) that had put Japan into such a strong position.

Captain Kadowaki-Fleming was particularly severe on Nepali star Sandeep Lamichhane, striking 6,6,4 in the 9th over.

Nepal countered after Rahman was dismissed, eventually keeping Japan to 131 for eight from their 20 overs.

That momentum carried into their batting innings, as Nepal survived some close appeals to be 62 for one after seven overs.

Aasif Sheikh fell in the eighth for a well made 38 from 21 balls, bounced out by Shoma Sugaya-Slater (two for 22), sparking a mini-collapse as Japan threatened an upset for the ages.

At 90 for five in the 13th over there was a huge appeal that was ultimately turned down, and from there Gulshan Jha was able to guide his team home with an unbeaten 28 from 20 balls to win the game by five wickets with two overs to spare.

The result will see Nepal advance into the Super Six phase with the two points earned from this win, while Japan will need to win enough games to finish in the top three and earn a place at the World Cup in India next year.

Warm Up Matches:

Tournament Matches:

*Oman is 5 hours behind Japan

Super Six

  • 12th October (Sunday) 19:30 Japan vs Samoa
  • 15th October (Wednesday) 10:00 Japan vs Qatar
  • 16th October (Thursday) 14:30 Japan vs UAE
  • 17th October (Friday) 10:00 Japan vs Oman

All tournament matches can be watched live on ICC.tv while matches can also be followed live on the JCA App. 

Men’s National Team Partner

  • Mitsui Knowledge Industry Co., Ltd.

Mitsui Knowledge Industry Co., Ltd. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Mitsui & Co., Ltd. (MKI) specialized in providing services and products related to ICT (information and communication technology). Partnering with various global ICT vendors and supporting more than 2,500 companies, MKI offers best-in-class solutions to customers.

Website: https://www.mki.co.jp/english/

JCA Official Social Media

 

Japan Knock Kuwait Out to Advance to Super Sixes

Posted by

The men’s Japan National team earned a famous victory at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Asia & EAP Qualifier in Oman, defeating World Cup hopefuls Kuwait and sending them home early.

After winning the toss and opting the bowl, Japan made a dream start as Abdul Samad struck in the first over.

The Kuwait batters worked hard and put themselves into a strong position at 89 for two after 11 overs,  before Sabaorish Ravichandran dragged things back for Japan, taking two wickets for 16 runs in the middle overs.

Declan Suzuki bowled a clinical final over, with the pressure on, finishing with three for 22 as Kuwait ended their innings with 177 for six from 20 overs.

Captain Kendel Kadowaki-Fleming hit boundaries at will in the opening exchanges, and although Abhishek Anand departed early, Japan were 63 for one after the power play and looking good.

Kadowaki-Fleming was unfortunately run out while backing up for 28 from 19 balls after adding 51 in five overs with Esam Rahman.

Rahman, who became the 112th player to represent Japan in an official international, went to his half century with a towering six from just 33-balls. He was eventually dismissed for 64 from 39 balls and Japan still needed 71 from 8.2 overs.

Enter Ibrahim Takahashi, who hit three sixes in a blockbusting 26 from 15 balls, while Ravichandran backed up his bowling display with a calming 39 from 29 balls.

It was left to Suzuki to scoop the winning run in the final over, meaning Japan won by five wickets to send the team ranked 23 in the world home early, while Japan move into the second phase with a game to spare.

Japan play Nepal on Friday 10th at 7:30pm Japan time as they keep the World Cup dream alive.

Warm Up Matches:

Tournament Matches:

  • 9th October (Thursday) 14:30 Japan vs Kuwait (Japan won by 5 wickets) 
  • 10th October (Friday) 14:30 Japan vs Nepal 

*Oman is 5 hours behind Japan

Other Groups:

  • Group A : UAE, Malaysia, Qatar
  • Group C : Oman, PNG, Samoa

All tournament matches can be watched live on ICC.tv while matches can also be followed live on the JCA App. 

Men’s National Team Partner

  • Mitsui Knowledge Industry Co., Ltd.

Mitsui Knowledge Industry Co., Ltd. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Mitsui & Co., Ltd. (MKI) specialized in providing services and products related to ICT (information and communication technology). Partnering with various global ICT vendors and supporting more than 2,500 companies, MKI offers best-in-class solutions to customers.

Website: https://www.mki.co.jp/english/

JCA Official Social Media

 

Partnership with Mitsui Norin renewed

Posted by

The JCA is pleased to announce the renewal of our partnership with Mitsui Norin as the JCA Tea Partner.

Since first signing this partnership in 2021, JCA and Mitsui Norin have been working together to “deliver smiles through tea and cricket.”

Cricket is a sport of British origin, famous for its culture of enjoying tea during matches. At the Tea Room at the SICG (Sano International Cricket Ground), visitors can enjoy standard iced and hot tea using Mitsui Norin products, along with arranged menus such as masala chai and ginger lemon squash that incorporate locally produced ginger. Beyond daily service, we have also developed collaborative events such as “Cricket with TEA,” where tea is enjoyed at cricket events, and “JAZZ at CRICKET with TEA,” combining jazz music and tea at the ground.

JCA CEO Naoki Alex Miyaji said:
 “We are delighted to renew our partnership with Mitsui Norin. Through tea menus at the Sano International Cricket Ground and events like ‘Cricket with TEA,’ we have shared the joy of tea and cricket in connecting people. Looking ahead, we aim to further promote this culture, strengthen our fan community, and deepen our collaboration with Mitsui Norin.”

Mitsui Norin Executive General Manager Kentaro Kikuchi said:
 “Our flagship brand, ‘Nittoh Tea,’ embodies the brand essence of ‘creating more with TEA’ by offering diverse ways to enjoy tea. Cricket has a tradition of enjoying tea during matches, giving it a natural affinity with our product. As the Tea Partner, we will continue to promote ‘Cricket with TEA’ to expand the possibilities of tea and cricket and to share their appeal through a wide range of activities.”

About Mitsui Norin Co., Ltd:

Mitsui Norin’s history can be traced back to the foundation of Mitsui & Co in 1909. It established the first Japanese black tea brand “Mitsui Black Tea” (currently “Nittoh Black Tea”) in 1927. Today, not only does it import high quality tea from countries where Cricket is popular, such as India and Sri Lanka, but it also promotes the culture of black tea. Mitsui Norin will continue to innovate while protecting core values such as quality and tradition.

Anand Stars in Warm Up Defeat to UAE

Posted by

The men’s Japan National Team showed they can compete with the best of Asia in a hard fought battle with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in the second warm up match prior to the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Asia & EAP Qualifier.

Ranked 15, the UAE are the highest ranked team at the qualifier and are expected by many to make it to the World Cup, but Japan pushed them hard in a 26-run defeat.

After winning the toss and choosing to bowl, Shoma Sugaya-Slater (two for 25) struck an early blow, as Benjamin Ito-Davis claimed the first of his four catches on the day.

Captain and star batter Waseem Muhammed made 50 off 28 balls to accelerate his team to 94 for two at the halfway mark, but it was the introduction of leg-spinning maestro Makoto Taniyama that turned the tide.

Dismissing Waseem in his first over, thanks to a steepling catch by Declan Suzuki (who would later collect two wickets of his own) and grabbing another in his third, his spell of three overs, two wickets for 12 runs turned the tide as UAE ended on 168 for seven from their 20 overs.

Japan started well in the chase with a second successive fifty partnership between Kendel Kadowaki-Fleming (20 off 18) and Abhishek Anand.

Anand held the innings together after the captains dismissal, striking five sixes on his way to 70 from just 50 balls, and with seven overs to go Japan needed 62 to win with seven wickets in hand.

Ultimately the superior quality of UAE shone through as our batters were unable to maintain the momentum, being bowled all out for 142 with one ball of the innings remaining.

The tournament proper starts on Wednesday, with Japan in action the following day. Full schedule below.

Warm Up Matches:

Tournament Matches:

  • 9th October (Thursday) 14:30 Japan vs Kuwait 
  • 10th October (Friday) 14:30 Japan vs Nepal 

*Oman is 5 hours behind Japan

Other Groups:

  • Group A : UAE, Malaysia, Qatar
  • Group C : Oman, PNG, Samoa

All tournament matches can be watched live on ICC.tv while matches can also be followed live on the JCA App. 

Men’s National Team Partner

  • Mitsui Knowledge Industry Co., Ltd.

Mitsui Knowledge Industry Co., Ltd. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Mitsui & Co., Ltd. (MKI) specialized in providing services and products related to ICT (information and communication technology). Partnering with various global ICT vendors and supporting more than 2,500 companies, MKI offers best-in-class solutions to customers.

Website: https://www.mki.co.jp/english/

JCA Official Social Media

Taniyama Topples Taylor in Warm Up Win Over Samoa

Posted by

Former New Zealand Super Star Ross Taylor was clean bowled by Makoto Taniyama as Japan eased to a five-wicket win in the first warm up match prior to the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Asia & EAP Qualifier.

In a game where the rules were relaxed enabling all 15 players to play some part, captain Kendel Kadowaki-Fleming won the toss and opted to bowl first under the lights.

The Samoan batting was as aggressive as expected, striking nine sixes on their way to a total of 159 for five from their 20 overs, Ben Mailata top scoring with 37 from 27 balls after Darius Visser made a fast start with 36 from 27.

Charlie Hara-Hinze was the pick of 10 bowlers used by Japan, conceding just five runs from his two overs while also dismissing Visser and the dangerous Dan Burgess.

It was a moment of pure joy in the 16th over when Taniyama, who moved level with Masaomi Kobayashi for the most appearances for Japan on the night (67), got the better of Taylor on his international return as he attempted a trademark slog-sweep.

Japan made a steady start in the chase as Kadowaki-Fleming (20 off 21) and Abhishek Anand (25 off 16) put on 50 for the first wicket, but both fell in quick succession before a partnership of 68 from 42 balls between Esam Rahman and Benjamin Ito-Davis (28 from 20) settled things down.

Rahman, making his first international appearance for Japan, struck a huge six to win the game with nine balls to spare, bringing up an excellent half century, from just 31 balls, in the process.

Japan take on UAE in a second warm up match on Sunday.

The full match schedule is as follows: 

Warm Up Matches:

  • 3rd October (Friday) 19:00 Japan vs Samoa (Japan won by 5 wickets)
  • 5th October (Saturday) 14:30 Japan vs UAE 

Tournament Matches:

  • 9th October (Thursday) 14:30 Japan vs Kuwait 
  • 10th October (Friday) 14:30 Japan vs Nepal 

*Oman is 5 hours behind Japan

Other Groups:

  • Group A : UAE, Malaysia, Qatar
  • Group C : Oman, PNG, Samoa

All tournament matches can be watched live on ICC.tv while matches can also be followed live on the JCA App. 

Men’s National Team Partner

  • Mitsui Knowledge Industry Co., Ltd.

Mitsui Knowledge Industry Co., Ltd. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Mitsui & Co., Ltd. (MKI) specialized in providing services and products related to ICT (information and communication technology). Partnering with various global ICT vendors and supporting more than 2,500 companies, MKI offers best-in-class solutions to customers.

Website: https://www.mki.co.jp/english/

JCA Official Social Media

About EMBASSY CUP 2025

Posted by

The eighth edition of the Embassy Cup, one of Japan’s largest domestic cricket events held under the concept of “Connecting with the World through Cricket,” will once again be supported by Global Trust Networks Co., Ltd. and take place on the weekend of Saturday 25th and Sunday 26th October at the Sano International Cricket Ground.

As in previous years, eight teams representing cricket-loving nations will take part, with the cooperation of their respective embassies. Across both days, 16 matches will be played in the T10 (60-ball) format, each lasting around 90 minutes. To help newcomers enjoy watching the games, live commentary will be provided during the second to fourth matches each day.

On Saturday 25th, the event will feature various special programs in addition to cricket. Popular dancer Daikichi, known from commercials and stage performances, will entertain the crowd between matches during the day. From 11:30am, a two-hour Cricket Tea Party, held in collaboration with a British sweets school from Utsunomiya, will take place (advance registration required). In the evening, Ann G, an artist with ties to the Caribbean, will perform live music, followed by a charity raffle with exciting prizes on offer.

On Sunday 26th, the highlights will include a comedy performance from the duo Tamashizu, known for their cricket-themed acts, as well as the tournament final. The day will also coincide with the long-running local “Tanuma Furosato Matsuri”, which attracts thousands of visitors to the area.

Throughout the weekend, visitors can enjoy a wide variety of international food, including classic British fish & chips and Indian and Sri Lankan curries, while also trying out cricket themselves in an area designed for soft-ball experiences. The Embassy Cup aims to offer everyone the chance to enjoy a vibrant, multicultural atmosphere through cricket.

Entry is free, and we warmly invite everyone to come along and enjoy the festivities.

＊Details will be shared regularly on the Official Event X.

 

Event & Tournament Schedule

About GTN

With “Making Your Stay in Japan Great” as its vision, GTN has specialized in services for foreign nationals since its inception, providing housing assistance and comprehensive support for living in Japan. GTN offers services centered on its rent guarantor service, including real estate brokerage services, support for living and working in Japan, mobile phone services, credit card services, and more to support foreign nationals, especially those living in Japan. With 70% of its staff consisting of foreign nationals from approximately 20 different countries, GTN handles a variety of cases with an understanding of language and cultural differences.

  • Company name: Global Trust Networks Co., Ltd.
  • Location: Oak Ikebukuro Building 2nd Floor, 1-21-11 Higashi Ikebukuro, Toshima-ku, Tokyo
  • Representative: Representative Director and President Hiroyuki Goto
  • Business Description: Rent guarantor, real estate agency, lifestyle support business, telecommunications, human resources, credit card, etc. specialized for foreigners
  • URL: https://www.gtn.co.jp

JCA Official Social Media

The 13th Japanese Companies Cricket League 2025 (India) – Report

Posted by

[Overview]

  • Date: Sunday, 24 August 2025
  • Location: Sri City Industrial Park, Andhra Pradesh, India
  • Match Format: Qualifying rounds 6-overs, Final Tournament 10-overs (7 rounds in total)
  • Organizer: Sri City Japanese Companies Liaison Group
  • Supervisor: India Metal One Steel Plate Processing Private Limited

[Report]
The 13th Japanese Companies Cricket League (JCCL) was held on Sunday, 24 August 2025, at the Sri City Industrial Park in Andhra Pradesh, India.

This year, 18 companies—including Daikin, Panasonic, Isuzu Motors, and Toray—participated, with teams formed by employees competing in spirited matches. Managers and HR representatives from various companies also came to support, contributing to the lively atmosphere throughout the event.

The tournament began at 6:00 a.m. and continued until 5:00 p.m., with a full day of play. The qualifying rounds were contested under a 6-over format, while the final tournament was played under a 10-over format, with a total of seven rounds completed.

The JCCL is not merely a sporting event but an important role in promoting networking among companies, fostering teamwork across departments, and providing employees with opportunities to refresh themselves— improving motivation in the workplace.

Throughout the day, copies of the Japan Cricket Association’s publication “Cricket in the World” were distributed to spectators, providing them with a chance to deepen their understanding of the sport.

Marking its 13th edition, the JCCL has firmly established itself as an event that strengthens both interaction among Japanese company employees and ties with the local community. It is expected to continue developing as a significant platform for corporate sports exchange.

 

・About Sri City Industrial Park
Sri City Industrial Park is located approximately 80 km north of Chennai, one of South India’s largest cities.Hosting approximately 30 Japanese companies in the automotive and electronics sectors, it plays a vital role in supporting the region’s economic development

Kawasaki Knight Riders Crowned Women’s Japan Cricket League 2025 Champions

Posted by

Kawasaki Knight Riders CC have completed a remarkable comeback to claim the Women’s Japan Cricket League title in 2025, following their early exit in 2024.

In a highly anticipated final, the KKR bowlers delivered a clinical performance, restricting the defending champions Sendai University CC to just 80 runs, despite a six-filled 44 not out from 18 balls by Haruna Iwasaki.

Leading the charge with the bat in the run chase was Kurumi Ota, who showcased her class with a blistering 44 off 27 balls, guiding her team comfortably to victory.

Despite the loss, Sendai University CC’s Haruna Iwasaki emerged as the tournament’s top run-scorer with 108 runs, underlining her consistency throughout the season.

On the bowling front, Haruka Yasue from Wyverns CC, along with Akari Nishimura and Elena Kusuda-Nairn from Sendai University CC, all finished with six wickets apiece. 

The 2025 season has marked a thrilling chapter in the Women’s Japan Cricket League, highlighting the growing depth and competitiveness of women’s cricket across the country.

Thank you to all the teams, coaches, and managers for the work they have put into getting the season played. Preparations for the 2026 season are underway and we look forward to sharing the information in due course.

Japan Finish 4th After Indonesia Loss

Posted by

The Women’s Japan National Team were undone by a powerful batting display by Indonesia to finish fourth at the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup East Asia Pacific Qualifier in Suva, Fiji, matching their result in the 2023 tournament. 

Batting first against Indonesia, Japan were indebted to captain Mai Yanagida who made a career best 67 from just 50 balls to lead Japan to a total of 125 for seven from 20 overs. 

Although Nonoha Yasumoto was able to make two early breakthroughs, Japan were unable to capitalise as Maria Corazon Wombaki struck a match-winning 74* from 52 balls to lead Indonesia to an eight-wicket win and third place in the tournament. 

We would like to thank everyone for their support during the tournament.

The results page on the ICC website

*(We sincerely apologize for the delayed publication due to issues with the JCA website.)

National Team Partner

  • Mitsui Knowledge Industry Co., Ltd.

Mitsui Knowledge Industry Co., Ltd. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Mitsui & Co., Ltd. (MKI) specialized in providing services and products related to ICT (information and communication technology). Partnering with various global ICT vendors and supporting more than 2,500 companies, MKI offers best-in-class solutions to customers.

Website: https://www.mki.co.jp/english/

JCA Official Social Media