New Coach Ferhat Akbas Eyes Big Impact with 34-Player Japan Roster
Ferhat Akbas, Japan’s new women’s national team head coach, has selected 34 players for his 2025 squad, marking a bold start to his tenure. The Turkish coach brings back nine Olympians from the Paris 2024 team and introduces ten fresh faces, including 18-year-olds Kokomi Kawamata, Koyumi Fukumura, and Miku Akimoto.
Star outside hitter Mayu Ishikawa is expected to take on a bigger leadership role as Japan prepares for the Volleyball Nations League and Women’s World Championship. Notably absent from the list are retired captain Sarina Koga and veterans Arisa Inoue and Akane Yamagishi.
Akbas emphasized unity, excellence, and pride: “We will strive for success on the world stage while cultivating teamwork, resilience and pride.”
Japan kicks off training in Tokyo on May 5 and begins their VNL campaign in Canada in early June, facing top teams including the Netherlands and Serbia.
- Setters: Hitomi Shiode, Koyomi Iwasaki, Nanami Seki, Tamaki Matsui, Tsukasa Nakagawa
- Opposites: Kokomi Kawamata, Rui Nonaka, Yukiko Wada
- Outside Hitters: Ai Kurogo, Ameze Miyabe, Ayane Kitamado, Fuyumi Hawi Okumu Oba, Koyumi Fukumura, Mayu Ishikawa, Megumi Fukazawa, Miku Akimoto, Miwako Osanai, Yoshino Sato
- Middle Blockers: Airi Miyabe, Asuka Hamamatsu, Ayaka Araki, Emili Iiyama, Erina Ogawa, Haruyo Shimamura, Hiroyo Yamanaka, Maki Yamaguchi, Nanami Asano, Nichika Yamada, Rin Honda
- Liberos: Haruna Kawabata, Manami Kojima, Miiku Iwasawa, Minami Nishimura, Satomi Fukudome
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