Japan advanced to the men’s Volleyball Nations League 2026 semifinals with a four-set victory over host nation China.
Playing in front of nearly 6,000 spectators in Ningbo Beilun, Japan recovered from losing the opening set to win 3-1 and secure a place in the last four for the third time in tournament history.
China started strongly and took the first set 25-23 after building an early lead and holding off a late Japanese comeback. Japan responded in the second, overturning a three-point deficit before Yuji Nishida sealed another 25-23 finish.
The visitors dominated the third set, winning 25-16. China pushed Japan closely in the fourth and levelled the score at 23-23, but Shoma Tomita closed the match with a powerful ace.
Ran Takahashi led all scorers with 21 points, including two aces and two blocks. Nishida and Larry Ik Evbade-Dan added 13 points each, while Tomita finished with 10. Wang Bin was China’s top scorer with 19 points.
Japan will face the winner of Thursday’s quarterfinal between Italy and the United States.
Result: Japan 3-1 China — 23-25, 25-23, 25-16, 25-23.