[Handball] About the 2026 Schedule and Staff Structure for the Men's Japan National U-21 (Junior) and U-19 (Youth) Teams
The Japan Handball Association has announced the 2026 schedule and coaching staff for the Men's U-21 and U-19 national teams, aiming for consecutive Asian Championship titles and global success.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: April 7, 2026 at 03:00
- 🔍 Collected: April 6, 2026 at 18:00
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 21, 2026 at 01:00 (343h 0m after Collected)
The Japan Handball Association hereby announces the schedule and national team staff structure for the Men's Japan National Under-21 (U-21) and Men's Japan National Under-19 (U-19) teams for the 2026 fiscal year, as detailed below.
Men's Japan National U-21 (Junior)
Eligibility: Players born on or after January 1, 2006
Centered around the generation that won their first championship at the 2024 Men's Youth Asian Championship and placed 14th at the 2025 Men's Youth World Championship, the Men's Junior National Team will face the Asian Championship this year. Japan has won this tournament twice in a row, and will take on the stage in China aiming for a third consecutive title.
[Main Activity Schedule]
- 1st Training Camp (Member Selection)
June 5 (Fri) - 9 (Tue)
- 2nd Training Camp
July 9 (Thu) - 13 (Mon)
- 19th Asian Men's Junior Handball Championship
Period: July 15 (Wed) - 26 (Sun)
Location: China
[Staff]
Head Coach: Kenji Toyoda
While serving as head coach at Kokushikan University, he has gained experience coaching in international tournaments as the head coach of the Japan U-21 team. He also held this position at the 2025 IHF Men's Junior World Championship and will continue to lead.
Assistant Coach: Katsuhito Yokoyama
Has experience as an analyst for the Japan national team and currently serves as head coach at Sapporo International University.
GK Coach: Masayuki Matsumura
Was active as a goalkeeper for the Japan national team and currently serves as the GK coach for Toyota Auto Body. He is tasked with strengthening the team's defensive power as GK coach for the Men's U-21 team.
Men's Japan National U-19 (Youth)
Eligibility: Players born on or after January 1, 2008
The Men's U-19 category, where Japan won their first championship in the previous tournament, will challenge for their second consecutive title in this tournament. Through experience on the Asian stage, they will proceed with strengthening with an eye on the world.
[Main Activity Schedule]
- 1st Training Camp (Member Selection)
Late June - Early July (TBD)
- 2nd Training Camp
Early August (TBD)
Men's Japan National U-21 (Junior)
Eligibility: Players born on or after January 1, 2006
Centered around the generation that won their first championship at the 2024 Men's Youth Asian Championship and placed 14th at the 2025 Men's Youth World Championship, the Men's Junior National Team will face the Asian Championship this year. Japan has won this tournament twice in a row, and will take on the stage in China aiming for a third consecutive title.
[Main Activity Schedule]
- 1st Training Camp (Member Selection)
June 5 (Fri) - 9 (Tue)
- 2nd Training Camp
July 9 (Thu) - 13 (Mon)
- 19th Asian Men's Junior Handball Championship
Period: July 15 (Wed) - 26 (Sun)
Location: China
[Staff]
Head Coach: Kenji Toyoda
While serving as head coach at Kokushikan University, he has gained experience coaching in international tournaments as the head coach of the Japan U-21 team. He also held this position at the 2025 IHF Men's Junior World Championship and will continue to lead.
Assistant Coach: Katsuhito Yokoyama
Has experience as an analyst for the Japan national team and currently serves as head coach at Sapporo International University.
GK Coach: Masayuki Matsumura
Was active as a goalkeeper for the Japan national team and currently serves as the GK coach for Toyota Auto Body. He is tasked with strengthening the team's defensive power as GK coach for the Men's U-21 team.
Men's Japan National U-19 (Youth)
Eligibility: Players born on or after January 1, 2008
The Men's U-19 category, where Japan won their first championship in the previous tournament, will challenge for their second consecutive title in this tournament. Through experience on the Asian stage, they will proceed with strengthening with an eye on the world.
[Main Activity Schedule]
- 1st Training Camp (Member Selection)
Late June - Early July (TBD)
- 2nd Training Camp
Early August (TBD)