History of cricket in Japan

After cricket was brought to Japan by Britain’s Royal Navy around the time of the Meiji Revolution, the game came to be played throughout Japan mainly by foreigners.

The first cricket club, Yokohama Country & Athletic Club (known as YC&AC) was born in 1868. But cricket didn’t become quite as popular to the Japanese as baseball did, after being introduced by Americans.

In 1980, the first cricket club constituted by a Japanese member was born at Kobe Suburban National Language University. Since then many other Japanese clubs have been established, at Keio University in 1987, and several other universities in the suburbs of Tokyo, which saw the growth of cricket continuing.

The Far East Cricket Club was established in 1993 and with a rise in junior participation, Japan has managed to produce some outstanding players. The Japanese Cricket Association was formed in 1984 and became an Associate member of the ICC in 2005.

International competition

Japan finished as runners up in the ICC EA cricket 8s tournament in 2002 and in 2005 won the ICC EAP Cricket Cup held in Vanuatu. This was the national team’s first win in an international tournament in 11-a-side cricket.

Domestic Competition

The Japan One-Day Championship (40 overs) is held for men and it is classified into two levels: 1st grade and 2nd grade and there is the Woman’s One-Day Championship (35 overs) as well as another 30-overs women’s tournament.

Development program

With the cooperation of RCA, the JCA has been promoting a junior program mainly to primary school students, teachers and parents using Easy Cricket Sets since 2000. The program is accepted as a tool to learn foreign culture and language and as something new in PE classes. The first cricket ground was built in Fuji city in 2004.

Women’s cricket

The Japanese women’s team made their international tournament debut at the IWCC Trophy, and their development activity was commended by the ICC in 2003. The team participated in the Brian Bell EAP Women’s Cricket Challenge in 2006 and also represented the country at the Shanghai International 6’s Tournament.