Japanese Women's National Team

[CKR13]

Ramu Tokashiki who will sign with the WNBA's Seattle Storm stated that the FIBA suspension on Japan was one of the reason she decided to sign with Seattle.

It frees up her summer so she can work out with the team.

[CKR13]

Despite FIBA ban, Kawabuchi Saburo is confident that the ban will be lifted when he attends FIBA's central board meeting to discuss the progress made by the JBA 2024 task force. With Saburo's blessing, JBA names 19 players for FIBA Asia 2015.

Ai Mitani (Fujitsu Red Wave)
Yoshida Asami (JX-Eneos)
Wang Cenjing (Mitsubishi)
Maki Takata (Denso)
Mika Kurihara (Toyota)
Yuka Mamiya (JX-Eneos)
Iju Minami (Denso Iris)
Ramu Tokashiki (JX Eneos)
Chinatsu Yamamoto (Fujitsu Red Wave)
Mio Shinozaki (Fujitsu Red Wave)
Kaede Kondo (Toyota)
Shana-sei Motokawa (Chanson Magic)
Aya Watanabe (Mitsubishi)
Rui Machida (Fujitsu Red Wave)
Yuki Miyazawa (JX-Eneos)
Miyoshi Minaho (Chanson Magic)
Eiko Nagaoka (Fujitsu Red Wave)
Miyuki Kawamura (Chanson Magic)
Evelyn Mawuli (Aisin)

The team's core is composed of the strong players from JX-Eneos lead by Tokashiki who is now with the WNBA Seattle Storm. Also, Fujitsu is another strong team that of which players will also merge with JX-Eneos and Denso Iris to form the national team.

[CKR13]

The road to Rio 2016 begins with the first training camp that opens today. With the FIBA ban partially lifted, the national team held a press conference yesterday.

[CKR13]

Three games lined up for the Japanese women's team against the Chinese Taipei women's team. Both are preparing for FIBA Asia 2015.

Aug 14 1st game
Aug 15 2nd game
Aug 16 3rd game

[carlo]

Japan lost to Australia the first of a 3-game series played in Dandenong, 86-65.
Box score

Japan played w/out Tokashiki who is with WNBA, while it seems that Liz Cambage, who should be back from her injujry, is for now out of selectors consideration.

[carlo]

The Australian 3-game series finished 2-1 for Jayco Opals, who lost the final game to Japan 76-75.
Box score
Motokawa was high for JPN with 24, surprisingly the rebounding count finished even.
Australia obviously missing several WNBAers.

[CKR13]

I must watch the youtube replays of the Opals vs Japan women soon.

Next up for Japan women is the Chinese Taipei women's team that they will play in a 3 game charity friendly.

Japan's Team B finished bronze in the Jones Cup. Bright future for several players.

[carlo]

Japan women are currently engaged on a 3-game series with New Zealand in Christchurch. They won game1, 75-58.
Fiba News
Box score

[carlo]

Japan aslo won game2 over New Zealand 93-66, displaying fine offense and an excellent 54% FG shooting.

http://www.basketball.org.nz/News/tall-ferns-lose-game-two

[carlo]

Beating Korea 64-55, U16 Japan NT will play the final against China and is qualified for 2016 U17 WC.

[CKR13]

Day 1 of the Charity Friendlies

Japan B 114 - 45 Thailand

Japan A 92 - 52 Chinese Taipei

[carlo]

Japan trounced Chinese Taipei also in 2nd exhib game, 94-51.
Yamamoto 12, Motokawa, Takata 11.
Doesn't seem ex Arizona State Joy Burke is with Chinese Taipei team.

[carlo]

Storm's Ramu Tokashiki to join NT for Fiba Asia championship (Aug 29 - Sept 5), missing four WNBA games.

http://storm.wnba.com/news/tokashiki-to-miss-four-games_150819/

[CKR13]

Japan women's NT revealed for FIBA Asia Women 2015:

Ai Mitani – Fujitsu Red Wave
Yuki Miyazawa – JX ENEOS
Yuka Mamiya – JX ENEOS
Mika Kurihara – Toyota Motors
Maki Takada – Denso Iris
Chinatsu Yamamoto – Fujitsu Red Wave
Ramu Tokashiki – Seattle Storm
Mio Shinozaki – Fujitsu Red Wave
Asami Yoshida – JX ENEOS
Rui Machida – Fujitsu Red Wave
Sanae Motokawa – Chanson Magic
Asako O – Mitsubishi Electric

Very young team with an average age of 25 years old.

[CKR13]

Tokashiki signs multi-year contract with the Seattle Storm.

http://www.wnba.com/news/tokashiki-signs-with-seattle-storm-multi-year-deal/