【Handball】Men's Japan National Team U-21 (Junior) and Men's Japan National Team U-19 (Youth) 2026 Schedule and Staff System
The Japan Handball Association has announced the 2026 schedule and staff structure for the Men's U-21 (Junior) and U-19 (Youth) Japan National Handball Teams. The plan aims to develop and strengthen the next generation of players.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: April 7, 2026 at 03:00
- 🔍 Collected: April 6, 2026 at 18:00
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 7, 2026 at 00:09 (6h 9m after Collected)
The Japan Handball Association (Public Interest Incorporated Foundation) would like to announce the schedule and national team staff structure for the Men's Japan National Team U-21 and Men's Japan National Team U-19 for the 2026 fiscal year, as follows.
Men's Japan National Team U-21 (Junior)
Eligible players: Players born on or after January 1, 2006.
The Men's Junior Japan National Team, primarily composed of the generation that achieved its first victory at the 2024 Men's Youth Asia Championship and placed 14th at the 2025 Men's Youth World Championship, will participate in the Asia Championship this year. Japan has won this tournament for two consecutive years and will aim for a third consecutive victory on the Chinese stage in this tournament.
[Main Activity Schedule]
・1st Training Camp (Member Selection)
June 5 (Fri) - 9 (Tue)
・2nd Training Camp
July 9 (Thu) - 13 (Mon)
・19th Men's Junior Handball Asia Championship
Period: July 15 (Wed) - 26 (Sun)
Venue: China
[Staff]
Coach: Kenji Toyoda
In addition to serving as coach at Kokushikan University, he has gained international coaching experience as the coach of the Japan National Team U-21. He also served in the same position at the 2025 IHF Men's Junior World Championship and will continue to lead the team.
Assistant Coach: Katsuhito Yokoyama
He has experience as an analyst for the Japan National Team and currently serves as coach at Sapporo International University.
GK Coach: Masayuki Matsumura
He was active as a Japan National Team goalkeeper and currently serves as GK coach at Toyota Auto Body. He is responsible for strengthening the team's defense as GK coach for the Men's National Team U-21.
Men's Japan National Team U-21 (Junior)
Eligible players: Players born on or after January 1, 2006.
The Men's Junior Japan National Team, primarily composed of the generation that achieved its first victory at the 2024 Men's Youth Asia Championship and placed 14th at the 2025 Men's Youth World Championship, will participate in the Asia Championship this year. Japan has won this tournament for two consecutive years and will aim for a third consecutive victory on the Chinese stage in this tournament.
[Main Activity Schedule]
・1st Training Camp (Member Selection)
June 5 (Fri) - 9 (Tue)
・2nd Training Camp
July 9 (Thu) - 13 (Mon)
・19th Men's Junior Handball Asia Championship
Period: July 15 (Wed) - 26 (Sun)
Venue: China
[Staff]
Coach: Kenji Toyoda
In addition to serving as coach at Kokushikan University, he has gained international coaching experience as the coach of the Japan National Team U-21. He also served in the same position at the 2025 IHF Men's Junior World Championship and will continue to lead the team.
Assistant Coach: Katsuhito Yokoyama
He has experience as an analyst for the Japan National Team and currently serves as coach at Sapporo International University.
GK Coach: Masayuki Matsumura
He was active as a Japan National Team goalkeeper and currently serves as GK coach at Toyota Auto Body. He is responsible for strengthening the team's defense as GK coach for the Men's National Team U-21.