Japanese sports teams Toray Arrows Shiga and Blue Sakuya Kagoshima prepare for new seasons

In Japanese professional sports, volleyball team Toray Arrows Shiga and handball team Blue Sakuya Kagoshima are preparing for their upcoming seasons.

Toray Arrows Shiga, aiming to recover from a 13th-place finish last season, is led by captain Mikoto Nakajima and vice-captain Meisei Matsuoka. The team has bolstered its roster with new talent, including Josephine Obossa and Airina Ogawa, under the guidance of coach Hitomi Nakamichi. The leadership focuses on building a compassionate yet resilient team with high-quality receiving to support their setters.

In handball, the 2026-27 League H season is set to begin on October 12. During a recent press conference in Tokyo, captains from all 11 participating teams gathered to discuss the upcoming competition. Chikako Kasai, captain of Blue Sakuya Kagoshima, emphasized the team's depth and expressed a strong desire to reclaim the championship title. Blue Sakuya Kagoshima will open their season at home in Kirishima City against Osaka Lavitz.