Japan Names 2026 Women's World Championship Roster

Japan has named 23 players to their women's national team ahead of the 2026 World Championships in Denmark.

Japan will be led by Akane Shiga, who signed this season to return to the PWHL with Detroit. The main omission from Japan's roster is Mei Miuri, who was Japan's leading scorer at both the 2026 Olympics and 2025 World Championships.

Teenagers Umeka Odaira and Kika Terauchi who are both playing in Ontario, Canada in the OWHL were also named to Canada's roster, with Odaira committed to play for the University of Maine next season.

Japan finished 7th at the Olympics, and were also 7th at the 2025 World Championships. This season however, Japan will be challenged in the balanced group system. Their group will include Denmark, Sweden, Finland, and Canada.

Goaltenders (3): Rei Halloran, Miyuu Masuhara, Riko Kawaguchi.

Defenders (8): Aoi Shiga, Kanami Seki, Shiori Yamashita, Ayaka Tomiuchi, An Shinoda, Kohane Sato, Natsuki Okumura, Kika Terauchi

Forwards (12): Wakana Kurosu, Remi Koyama, Hikaru Yamashita, Akane Shiga, Marin Nagaoka, Yumeka Wajima, Hinata Lack, Makoto Ito, Rio Noro, Riri Noro, Ai Tada, Umeka Odaira