Jim Armstrong 
Japan captain Shiori Koike will lead the squad in the IIHF Group G Women’s Ice Hockey Final Olympic Qualification tournament in Tomakomai, Hokkaido Prefecture. (©Courtesy of JAPAN ICE HOCKEY FEDERATION/via KYODO)
Read the full story on SportsLook - Smile Japan Will Be All Business in Pursuit of 4th Straight Olympic Ice Hockey Berth
Head coach Yuji Iizuka says an improved offense will be the key when Smile Japan aims to secure its fourth straight women's Olympic ice hockey berth at a final qualifying tournament on home ice.
Japan will host France, China and Poland in the February 6-9 round-robin tournament at Nepia Ice Arena in Tomakomai, Hokkaido Prefecture, where only the team that finishes first will advance to the 2026 Milano Cortina Games.
Seven teams have already qualified for the 10-nation tournament at the 2026 Games: Canada, the United States, Finland, the Czech Republic, Switzerland and Russia have already secured berths along with Italy, which qualifies as the host nation.
The participation of Russia depends on whether it is allowed to return to the IIHF World Championship program.
In addition to the event in Japan, two additional qualifying tournaments are being held at the same time in Gavle, Sweden, and Bremerhaven, Germany.
Among the four teams playing in Tomakomai, Japan is the highest-ranked at No 7 but Iizuka said his team isn't about to rely on that.
"We expect a very tough competition," Iizuka said at a press conference announcing his 23-member roster. "We are the top seed and the host but we can't think about that. France, Poland and China all have the ability to secure an Olympic berth."
Smile Japan Needs a Boost From Yamashita and Shiga
For years Japan relied on stalwarts like Hanae Kubo and Haruka Toko but those players have been replaced by a new crop of rising stars.
Instead of Kubo and Toko, Japan will be counting heavily on forwards like Hikaru Yamashita, who plays in the domestic league, and Akane Shiga, who is now in the Swedish Women's Hockey League after a season with Ottawa in the Professional Women's Hockey League.
Shiga has emerged as Japan's top sniper. She led Japan with five points (two goals, three assists) in five games at the 2024 IIHF Women's World Championship.
"My strength is my shot," Shiga said. "I hope to be able to take advantage of my shooting ability to score some goals in this tournament."
Continue reading the full story on SportsLook.
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Author: Jim Armstrong
The author is a longtime journalist who has covered sports in Japan for over 25 years. You can find his articles on SportsLook.
