BERLIN (Germany) - Already one of the leading nations in global women's hoops, Japan are hoping to make an even bigger splash when they step out as hosts of the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup 2030.
There is huge excitement after the country was awarded the responsibility of hosting the flagship event, fittingly coming as part of a 100-year celebration for the Japan Basketball Association (JBA) and also as the first edition that will be held in the new calendar slot, of November 26 to December 8.
The attention that the tournament will bring will be significant, while on the court it provides Japan with an opportunity to shine at the highest level on home soil.
After all, the last time the global spotlight was on Tokyo, they made their historic and famous run to the Olympic Final to secure an outstanding silver medal.
Almost a decade later, Japan will have the chance to impress again, utilizing some of their outstanding rising stars and mix of established performers who could prove to be podium-ready by the time the competition tips-off.
Their charge towards potential glory is likely to be led by the backcourt duo of Mai Yamamoto and Kokoro Tanaka - the latter still only 20-years-old and a sensation on her senior debut at the FIBA Women's Asia Cup 2025.
Meanwhile Yamamoto made the All-Star Five at the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup 2026 Qualifying Tournaments, showing her quality at both ends of the court.
Players like Aika Hirashita are also likely to be influential too, while it also provides a huge incentive for Japan ballers to step out at the U17 and U19 World Cups in the next two years.
The JBA President, Shimada Shinji, has expressed his delight at Japan being selected as hosts and has emphasized the importance of momentum.
He said: "We are really relieved, but we are also happy. It's a starting point for us and we want to create momentum in the next four years towards the event, and I think 2030 will be a turning point to increase the popularity of women’s basketball.
"We have a good group of young players in Japan, but we really think that hosting the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup 2030 in Japan goes beyond that and will really put forward women's basketball.
"That is the main reason we wanted to host the event and we are looking forward to the Women’s World Cup in Japan," added the JBA President.
Of course, while Japan will now understandably have one eye on the future, they also have to focus on trying to make an impression at this year's edition in Berlin.
Squeezing into the competition after some nerve-shredding games at the Qualifying Tournament back in March, they have been drawn in Group A with Germany, Mali and Spain.
Meanwhile before the 2030 edition, part of building that momentum will also include the FIBA Women's Asia Cup in 2027 and in 2029, either side of what they will hope to be an appearance at LA 2028.
FIBA