Japan at the 1972 Winter Olympics

Japan was the host nation for the 1972 Winter Olympics in Sapporo. It was the first time that Japan had hosted the Winter Olympic Games, but second time overall after the 1964 Summer Olympics in Tokyo. It was also the first Winter Olympic Games held in Asia. The host nation sent 90 athletes, consisting of 70 men and 20 women, along with 20 officers. The flag bearer for the Japanese team, Mineyuki Mashiko did not participate in the game, but instead held the position of team manager.

Three Japanese ski jumpers swept the medals in the normal hill event, becoming national heroes. This achievement also made Yukio Kasaya the first gold medalist for Japan at the Winter Olympic Games. He was also the first ever Asian to win a Winter Olympic gold medal.

Medalists

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Alpine skiing

 * Men


 * Men's slalom


 * Women

Biathlon

 * Men


 * 1 One minute added per close miss (a hit in the outer ring), two minutes added per complete miss.


 * Men's 4 x 7.5 km relay


 * 2 A penalty loop of 200 metres had to be skied per missed target.

Cross-country skiing

 * Men


 * Men's 4 × 10 km relay


 * Women


 * Women's 3 × 5 km relay

Figure skating

 * Men


 * Women


 * Pairs

First round
Winners (in bold) entered the Medal Round. Other teams played a consolation round for 7th-11th places.


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Consolation round

 * Japan 3-3 Switzerland
 * Japan 3-2 Yugoslavia
 * Japan 4-5 Norway
 * Japan 7-6 West Germany

Luge

 * Men

(Men's) Doubles


 * Women

Nordic combined
Events:
 * normal hill ski jumping (Three jumps, best two counted and shown here.)
 * 15 km cross-country skiing

Speed skating

 * Men


 * Women