Seven time defending World Champions Japan to compete in WBSC Women's Baseball World Cup Qualifier with 20 rookies

World No. 1 Japan - who have won seven consecutive WBSC Women's Baseball World Cups, including the 2024 Finals at the end of the first edition played with the new two-stage format - will feature a relatively inexperienced team without players with World Cup experience in the WBSC Women's Baseball World Cup 2026/2027 Qualifier, the VI Women's Baseball Asia Cup, scheduled from October 26 to November 2 in Hangzhou, China.

Manager Risa Nakashima announced a 20-player roster entirely made of rookies. The 20 players are members of the All-Japan University Women's Baseball Association.

"The aim is strengthening young players and providing them with international tournament experience and education," stated Samurai Japan in a press release.

The All-Japan Women's Baseball Association created a motto: Making women's baseball a natural sport and culture. It has established four themes: player development and strengthening, promotion, environment development, and human resource development. The Association is building programmes for developing and strengthening players in all categories.

At the 2025 Women's Baseball Asia Cup, Japan will face No. 18 China, No. 8 Hong Kong- China, No. 11 Indonesia, No. 11 India [India and Indonesia have both earned 269 points], No. 10 Korea, No. 14 Pakistan, No. 16 Philippines, No. 17 Thailand and No. 5 Chinese Taipei. The top four finishers will advance to the WBSC Women's Baseball World Cup Group Stage 2026.

Japan will open camp on Setember 26 at the Ajec Sakura Baseball Stadium (Ohira Sports Park Baseball Stadium) Mayumi, Ohira-cho, Tochigi City, Tochigi Prefecture.

Nakashima's staff includes Mitsuharu Yokoi, the only coach returning from the 2024 Finals, Toyoji Matsumura and Ayaka Deguchi.