Japan are one of only two teams, along with China, to have been in all 25 editions of the FIVB World Grand Prix. They only have one medal to show for their 24 previous appearances – a silver from 2014 when they hosted the Final Six in Tokyo. Last year they finished eighth in the Group 1 Intercontinental Round on a 3-6 record.
Japan were a prominent force in the 1960s and 1970s, winning Olympic gold medals in Tokyo 1964 and Montreal 1976, as well as silver in Mexico City 1968 and Munich 1972. They picked up a bronze in Los Angeles 1984 and returned to the Olympic podium after 28 years with a win over Korea in the bronze medal match of London 2012. Last year in Rio 2016 they made the quarterfinals, but finished 5th. Japan have been crowned world champions three times, in 1962, 1967 and 1974. After 32 years without a medal they claimed bronze in 2010, before finishing 7th in 2014. They have also won numerous medals of all colours at the Asian Games and Asian Championships.