After the team's participation in the 2008 Beijing Olympics, the Japan Volleyball Association took quick measures to build a new squad aiming at reaching and being successful at the 2012 London Olympics.

Masayoshi Manabe, who heads the Japan champion Hisamitsu Springs, has been appointed as new head coach of the Japanese Women's National Team, taking over the position from Shoichi Yanagimoto.

Yanagimoto led the team since February 2003 and guided Japan to two Olympics: Athens 2004 and Beijing 2008.

Manabe started with the team in April 2009 and will remain until 2012.

Manabe formed his new squad immediately after the V. League, Japan's premier league.

He invited fewer than thirty players to the inaugural training camp. The roster comprised youngsters and veterans alike, including seven Olympians such as Yoshie Takeshita, top setter and former captain, Yuko Sano, top libero, Megumi Kurihara, Saori Kimura and new captain Erika Araki.

Japan has been bringing its young players along since May at international competitions such as the Montreux Volley Masters (Switzerland), the Torino International Tournament (Italy) and the International Tournament for the Cup of the First President of Russia Boris Yeltsin (Russia). With such experience and the support of the older players, it is hoped the newcomers to the squad will be able to express themselves freely on court without worrying about making errors.

Japan reached the Final Six of the 2009 World Grand Prix and most recently won bronze at the 2009 Asian Championship.

Japan used to be a powerhouse in the Women's volleyball, and it will be the challenge of Manabe's squad to put in some unforgettable performances at the FIVB World Grand Champions Cup, one of the most prestigious events on the FIVB Volleyball calendar.  

Recent Results:

2006       World Grand Prix 2006                     6th

2006       World Championship (Japan)          6th

2007       World Grand Prix 2007                     9th

2007       Asian Championship (Thailand)      1st

2007        Women’s World Cup (Japan)          7th

2008       World Grand Prix 2008                     6th

2009       World Grand Prix 2009                     6th

2009       Asian Championship (Vietnam)       3rd

On his appointment, Manabe told a press conference, "I have participated in the 1988 Seoul Olympics as a player. After watching the 2008 Beijing Olympics outside of the court, however, I felt like participating in the Olympics again as a leader. I want to do my best and aim for the 2012 London Olympics."

As a setter on Japan's Men's Team, Manabe participated in many international events, including the 1988 Seoul Olympics.

He got his first taste of coaching in 1993 at Nippon Steel Blazers (the predecessor of Sakai Blazers), when he led the team as a player-coach until 1999. Under his leadership, the team became back-to-back V-League champions in 1996 and 1997. From 1999 to 2005, Manabe focused on his career as a player and moved from team to team.

Since his retirement as a player in 2005, Manabe has been head coach of Hisamitsu Springs, who won the V-Premier League in 2006-2007.

The Japanese Women's Team is aiming to medal at the 2012 London Olympics under the powerful leadership of Manabe.

In order to secure a place on the podium at the World Grand Champions Cup, Manabe started the team's training camp well in advance of the tournament.

We believe Manabe is a quiet tactician who has what it takes to make Japan's run at the World Grand Champions Cup a successful one.