#Japan #esports #Asian Games #JeSU #Aichi, Nagoya

eSports Team Japan for the 20th Asian Games

As the excitement builds for the upcoming 20th Asian Games, set to take place from September 19, 2026, in Aichi and Nagoya, Japan, the Japan eSports Union (JESU) has officially announced its national team. Comprising 25 talented players and four coaches, this team will represent Japan in various eSports competitions during the thrilling event.

Overview of the 20th Asian Games

Scheduled from September 23 to October 2, 2026, the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games will feature participants from 45 nations across Asia, making it one of the largest sports events in the region. eSports will be recognized as an official medal sport, with competitions spanning across 11 events and 13 game titles over the 10-day period.

JESU carefully selected the players, who were then endorsed by the Japan Olympic Committee (JOC) after completing the necessary certification process. This partnership underlines Japan's commitment to advancing eSports at an international level.

The Japanese eSports Team Line-up

The eSports team will compete across various game titles, showcasing a wide range of skills in disciplines such as fighting games, racing, and strategy. Here's a comprehensive look at the members:

eFootball™

• - Higaku Kazuya (Player: Tess, Team: KIWOOM DRX, Platform: PC)
• - Chaya Yuga (Player: lemon-pop, Team: Nagoya NTPOJA, Platform: Mobile)
• - Hashiki Shunpei (Coach: Ax, Team: KIWOOM DRX)

Team Fighting Games

• - Higuchi Kojiro (Player: higuchi, Team: ZETA DIVISION, Title: Street Fighter 6)
• - Nakayama Daichi (Player: NOBI, Team: TeamYAMASA, Title: Tekken 8)
• - Sawada Akihito (Player: SCORE, Team: AMATERASU GAMING, Title: THE KING OF FIGHTERS XV)

Gran Turismo 7

• - Kokubun Ryota

Identity V (Asian Games Version)

• - Awata Yuto (Player: Unpyi, Team: REJECT, Role: Survivor)
• - Uenaka Masaaki (Player: Katsuki, Team: FENNEL, Role: Survivor)
• - Kamiya Ryo (Player: Soba, Team: REJECT, Role: Survivor)
• - Onuma Masumi (Player: City, Team: REJECT, Role: Survivor)
• - Maeda Kentaro (Player: maeken, Team: FENNEL, Role: Survivor)
• - Uemura Kyu (Player: Aka, Team: REJECT, Role: Hunter)
• - Ooyama Ruyou (Player: yukakina, Team: Arneb with WoG, Role: Hunter)
• - Mikami Toshiki (Coach: Toki, Team: AXIZ WAVE)

Pokémon Unite

• - Toriba Kaito (Player: b1, Team: FENNEL, Role: Defense)
• - Koseko Yudai (Player: Mame, Team: FENNEL, Role: Support)
• - Higashi Renta (Player: ak1, Team: FENNEL, Role: Central Area)
• - Takada Yoshiki (Player: py1, Team: FENNEL, Role: Upper Route)
• - Sato Hiroki (Player: piui, Team: REJECT, Role: Lower Route)
• - Shirakawa Masaki (Player: Ma・sh1o, Team: FENNEL, Role: Lower Route)
• - Yoshiura Haruki (Team: TON・GG)

PUBG MOBILE (Asian Games Version)

• - Ishikawa Tomoki (Player: REX, Team: MAKING THE ROAD)
• - Adachi Toruma (Player: Aibou Saikyou, Team: MAKING THE ROAD)
• - Masuda Tetsusena (Player: PINE喰, Team: MAKING THE ROAD)
• - Tagashita Eigo (Player: Garnet, Team: MAKING THE ROAD)
• - Ohashi Nosuke (Player: Apollo, Team: REJECT)
• - Mochizuki Taiki (Coach: MimoriN, Team: REJECT)

Puyo Puyo eSports

• - Kurihara Yuki (Player: ゆうき, Team: Tokyo Verdy eSports)

Fans interested in details about the eSports events and the players can visit the dedicated JESU webpage. Tickets for the competition are on sale now, and attendees are encouraged to show their support for Team Japan during this remarkable multi-sport event.

As JESU aims to enhance its athletes' performance ahead of the Asian Games, they will implement various training measures, including integrity workshops and intensive training camps at the Ajinomoto National Training Center (NTC).

Beyond the Asian Games, JESU is committed to expanding opportunities for Japanese eSports athletes on the global stage and fostering a competitive environment that allows for more medal wins at the 20th Asian Games.

About the Japan eSports Union (JESU)

The Japan eSports Union is dedicated to promoting and developing eSports throughout Japan, particularly among young people, by enhancing competitive abilities and sportsmanship. They are actively pursuing various initiatives to raise awareness of eSports and create more opportunities for athletes, including official game title recognition and professional license issuance. They receive support from several sponsors to aid in the growth of Japan's eSports industry.