BENGALURU (India) - For the first time, a different team will be waving the Japanese flag in the Women's Basketball League Asia (WBL Asia) as the Denso Iris are set to fight for the country in the 2026 games.
Team history
While they may be new to the competition, the ball club has long been in existence.
It was founded in 1962, and has been active in the top-flight league of women's basketball in the domestic scene since being promoted to the Japan League Division 1 (now known as the W League) in 1993.
They're actually a successful multi-sport organization, owning and operating volleyball, softball, athletics, table tennis, and rowing teams.
Path to WBL Asia 2026
As mentioned, they've been active for decades now, but it wasn't until the 2025-26 W League season where the Iris would finally strike gold.
Denso claimed their first-ever championship by beating the regular season champions Toyota Antelopes in four games in the best-of-5 title series, capped by a dominant 70-51 victory in the clincher.
It was a storybook ending not only to their long wait of ascending to the top but to a solid season as well. They finished second in the eliminations with an 18-10 record, thus qualifying for the Semi-Finals.
And it would be in the 'final four' where their magical run of sorts would begin. They took down no less than the Fujitsu Red Wave in the best-of-3 affair, effectively ending the latter's 'three-peat' aspirations.
That also assured a new W League representative to the WBL Asia 2026, an honor which Denso would eventually earn after winning it all.
Players to watch
The Iris have produced many Japan national team players over the years such as Maki Takada and Himawari Akaho, and the former Olympians are set to banner their maiden campaign in the prestigious club tilt.
Takada herself was key in their golden run, eventually netting Playoff MVP honors after averaging 20.75 points in the Final in yet another proof of how valuable she remains even at 38 - especially in high-stakes affairs.
Denso have also inked Kiersten Johnson as one of their reinforcements for the Oct. 20-25 showpiece, and this would be her baptism of fire as the former NCAA D1 standout is set to enter her rookie year as a pro.
For sure, the Iris are hoping that their current pieces would be enough to help Japan reach success in WBL Asia after the Red Wave settled for a runner-up finish behind Dongguan New Century in last year's tilt.
Schedule
FIBA