Japan national cricket team

The Japan national cricket team is the men's team that represents the country of Japan in international cricket. The team is organised by the Japan Cricket Association (JCA), which has been a member of the International Cricket Council (ICC) since 1989. Japan made its international cricketing debut at the 1996 ACC Trophy in Malaysia. Most of the team's matches are played in regional competitions, generally against other teams in the ICC East Asia-Pacific development region. Between 2008 and 2012, Japan participated in the World Cricket League (WCL), reaching WCL Division Five at one point.

In April 2018, the ICC decided to grant full Twenty20 International (T20I) status to all its members. Therefore, all Twenty20 matches played between Japan and other ICC members since 1 January 2019 have the full T20I status.

History
Cricket was introduced to Japan in the 1860s, by the British, but did not become organised until the 1980s, when the Japan Cricket Association was formed. They became an affiliate member of the ICC in 1989, and the national team first played in the 1996 ACC Trophy, losing all their games including a 380 run defeat by Fiji. They continued without success in the 1998 tournament and the 2000 tournament.

After the 2000 ACC Trophy, they left the Asian Cricket Council and became part of the ICC's East Asia/Pacific region. They played in the East Asia Eights tournament in Australia in February 2002, finishing as runners-up to an Australian indigenous team. Indonesia and South Korea were the other teams in the tournament. In 2004, they hosted the East Asia Pacific Cricket Challenge tournament as part of qualification for the 2007 World Cup, finishing third after beating Indonesia in a play-off.

In June 2005, Japan were promoted to associate membership of the ICC and that year they played in the 2005 ICC EAP Cricket Cup in Vanuatu, winning the tournament after beating the Cook Islands in the final. The following year they played in the 2006 ICC EAP Cricket Trophy in Brisbane finishing last in the three team tournament that also involved Fiji and the Cook Islands.

In December 2007 Japan took part in the 2007 ICC EAP Cricket Trophy in Auckland, New Zealand, playing against the Cook Islands, Indonesia, Samoa, Tonga and Vanuatu. Japan won the tournament and qualified for Division Five of the World Cricket League where they finished in tenth place out of the twelve countries represented in Jersey.

On March 22, 2016, it was announced that Sano, Tochigi, would be home to the Sano International Cricket Ground, which will become Japan's first dedicated purpose-built cricketing venue which no longer had to compete with other sports for usage.

On October 9, 2022, Japan played their first ever T20 international match against Indonesia. In January 2023 it was announced that Japan and Indonesia would be included in Asian Cricket Council (ACC) pathway events, while remaining in the ICC East Asia-Pacific development region. Japan was formally readmitted to ACC membership in January 2024, with Indonesia also joining as a member.

Japan will be participating at 2022 Asian Games cricket tournament. They were placed in a group along with Cambodia and Hong Kong. This will be the Japan national cricket team's first appearance at the Asian Games.

ICC T20 World Cup Qualifier

 * 2023: Runners-up (EAP Regional Final)

ACC Challenger Cup

 * 2024: 4th place

ACC Trophy

 * 1996: First round
 * 1998: First round
 * 2000: First round

World Cricket League

 * 2008: Division 5 Tenth place
 * 2009: Division 7 Fourth place
 * 2011: Division 7 Sixth place
 * 2012: Division 8 Third place

East Asia Cup
Sources:


 * 2015: 2nd place
 * 2016: 2nd place
 * 2018: Winners
 * 2024: Runners-up

Current squad
Updated as of 12 May 2024

This lists all the players who have played for Japan in the past 12 months or has been part of the latest T20I squad.

Records
International Match Summary — Japan Last updated 12 May 2024

Twenty20 International

 * Highest team total: 258/0 v. China on 15 February 2024 at Mission Road Ground, Mong Kok.
 * Highest individual score: 134*, Lachlan Yamamoto-Lake v. China on 15 February 2024 at Mission Road Ground, Mong Kok.
 * Best individual bowling figures: 6/26, Reo Sakurano-Thomas v. Thailand on 2 February 2024 at Terdthai Cricket Ground, Bangkok.

Most T20I runs for Japan

Most T20I wickets for Japan

T20I record versus other nations

''Records complete to T20I #2606. Last updated 12 May 2024.''

Other matches
For a list of selected international matches played by Japan, see Cricket Archive.