Japan men's national ice hockey team

The Japanese national ice hockey team (Japanese: アイスホッケー男子日本代表 Aisuhokkē Danshi Nippon Daihyō) is the team that represents Japan in men's ice hockey. It is managed by the Japan Ice Hockey Federation and is part of the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF). As of 2025, Japan is ranked 20th in the IIHF World Ranking and is second in the Asian Ranking. The team currently plays in the IIHF World Championship Division I.

Japan has participated in eight Olympic Games and has achieved notable success in Asian competitions. The team has won the Asian Winter Games twice and earned a silver medal at the first IIHF Asia Championship. These accomplishments show the team's strong presence and competitive spirit in ice hockey.

Tournament participation

The Japan men's national ice hockey team has taken part in several big tournaments over the years.

Winter Olympics

Japan has played in the Winter Olympics many times. Here are some of their placements:

• 1936: 9th place (tied)
• 1960: 8th place
• 1964: 11th place
• 1968: 10th place
• 1972: 9th place
• 1976: 9th place
• 1980: 12th place
• 1998: 13th place

World Championship

Japan has also played in the World Championship many times. Here are some of their placements:

• 1930: Finished tied in 6th place
• 1957: Finished in 8th place
• 1962: Finished in 9th place (1st in "Pool B")
• 1967: Finished in 17th place (1st in "Pool C")
• 1969: Finished in 15th place (1st in "Pool C")
• 1970: Finished in 11th place (5th in "Pool B")
• And many more placements through the years...

Asian Winter Games

Asia Championship

• 2025: 2nd place
• 2026: 3rd place

Year	Host	Result	M	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD
1986	Japan	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
1990	Japan	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
1996	South Korea	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
1999	China	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
2003	Japan	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
2007	China	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
2011	Kazakhstan	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
2017	Japan	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
2025	China	2nd	8	4	1	3	46	21	+25
Total	-	9/9	39	27	3	9	334	81	+253

Honours

The Japan men's national ice hockey team has won several important tournaments. They won the IIHF World Championship Division I / Pool B in 1962 Pool B and 2023 (B). They also won the IIHF World Championship Division II / Pool C in 1967 Pool C, 1969 Pool C, 1982 Pool C, and 1987 Pool C.

Notable coaches

Japan's men's ice hockey team has been guided by notable coaches over the years. In 1962, the team was coached by Tsutomu Kawabuchi. More recently, in 2022, the team's coach was Perry Pearn.

All-time record against other nations

As of 24 April 2025

Team	GP	W	T	L	GF	GA	GD
Australia	7	7	0	0	93	17	+76
Austria	45	14	5	26	130	176	–46
Belarus	7	1	1	5	14	27	–13
Belgium	1	1	0	0	24	0	+24
Bulgaria	11	8	0	3	66	29	+37
Canada	47	3	4	40	90	276	-186
China	36	30	3	3	246	77	+169
Chinese Taipei	2	2	0	0	33	0	+33
Croatia	6	6	0	0	30	6	+24
Czech Republic	4	0	0	4	10	31	–21
Czechoslovakia	9	0	0	9	12	112	-100
Denmark	34	19	1	14	147	112	+35
East Germany	16	3	1	12	45	89	–44
England	1	0	0	1	1	7	–6
Estonia	7	6	1	0	32	16	+16
Finland	8	0	1	7	15	65	–50
France	30	11	2	17	101	120	–19
Germany	23	2	0	21	57	138	–81
Great Britain	15	7	1	7	41	39	+2
Hungary	35	17	0	18	112	102	+10
Israel	1	1	0	0	7	1	+6
Italy	35	10	2	23	92	132	–40
Kazakhstan	23	3	3	17	52	101	–49
Kuwait	1	1	0	0	44	1	+43
Latvia	13	1	0	12	25	75	–50
Lithuania	10	8	0	2	45	19	+26
Netherlands	32	19	4	9	170	95	+75
North Korea	10	10	0	0	68	15	+53
Norway	39	14	8	17	133	163	–30
Poland	42	6	2	34	98	214	–116
Romania	31	17	2	12	140	113	+27
Russia	1	0	0	1	1	6	–5
Serbia	3	3	0	0	21	3	+18
Slovakia	5	0	0	5	12	39	–27
Slovenia	19	5	1	13	38	68	-30
South Korea	37	27	1	9	207	75	+132
Spain	2	2	0	0	17	5	+12
Sweden	4	0	0	4	1	44	–43
Switzerland	31	9	3	19	93	141	–48
Thailand	3	3	0	0	62	3	+59
Ukraine	18	8	2	8	44	45	–1
United States	12	1	0	11	33	103	–70
Yugoslavia	34	17	2	15	133	139	-6
Total	760	302	50	408	2 859	3 162	–303