Japan men's volleyball team reaches semi‑finals after 3‑1 win over China

On 29 July 2026 in Ningbo, China, the Japan men’s national volleyball team (world rank 4) defeated host China (rank 35) 3‑1 in the Nations League quarter‑finals, securing a place in the semi‑finals. After splitting the first two sets, Japan took the third set 25‑16 and closed the match with a fourth‑set victory.

Key performances came from outside hitters Yūshi Nishida and Shōma Tomita, while captain Ai Takahashi contributed a team‑high 21 points. The win was highlighted as a morale boost for Japanese disaster‑relief efforts following the Kumamoto earthquake on 28 July, with Takahashi noting the team’s desire to help affected communities. Japan now aims to win its first medal in two years.