Japan national teams begin Olympic qualification bids

Japanese national teams in flag football and volleyball are beginning their pursuits of qualification for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

The Japanese women's flag football team has departed for the World Championships in Germany. With only the top two nations (excluding the host, USA) securing Olympic berths, players like Akasaki Kanaya expressed the high pressure and responsibility of the tournament to advance the sport domestically.

In volleyball, the Japanese men's team, currently ranked 6th in the world, has been placed in Group A for the Asian Championship qualifying round. They will compete against Australia, Bahrain, and Oman in Fukuoka, Japan, starting September 4. Winning the championship provides a direct path to the Los Angeles Olympics.