It was Japan’s first gold in the normal hill event since Yukio Kasaya led a podium sweep in Sapporo 50 years ago.
Reira Iwabuchi placed fifth and compatriot Kokomo Murase earned a 10th-place finish in her Olympic debut.
With seven points in Group B, Japan reached the last eight for the first time in four Olympic appearances.
The 18-year-old won the men’s free skate with a personal-best score of 208.94 points.
The Gifu Prefecture native earned Japan’s first medal at the Beijing Games.
The Japanese ace had an impressive second jump but was overtaken by the remaining jumpers.
Six Smile Japan players scored a goal as coach Yuji Iizuka’s squad improved to 2-0 in Beijing.
Kaori Sakamoto, Wakaba Higuchi, Yuma Kagiyama and Shoma Uno make preparations for Japan.
“You the Olympic athletes, you will show how the world would look like, if we all respect the same rules and each other.” ―IOC President Thomas...
"I’m happy with the way that it went today,” Chen said. “And overall, my goal is just to enjoy this experience as much as I can."
Global perspectives vary a great deal on last year's successful staging of the Summer Olympics and China's upcoming Winter Games.
Xi Jinping has promised a “splendid spectacle” with the Beijing Winter Olympics and Paralympics. No-one will be allowed to use the event to criticize him or...