Japan is preparing for one of the biggest matches in its cricket history, with its first bilateral fixture against a full ICC member developing into a wider push involving government support, major corporate interest, upgraded facilities and preparations for the Asian Games, according to a report by The Indian Express.
Shreyas Iyer-led India will face Japan, captained by Kendel Kadowaki-Fleming, in a T20 International at Sano International Cricket Ground on September 22. Located around 100 kilometres from Tokyo, Sano has had its capacity increased from 500 to 2,000 in anticipation of increased spectator demand.
The fixture will form part of celebrations marking 75 years of diplomatic relations between India and Japan. The two countries had announced 2027 as the “India-Japan Year of Shared Horizons” following a meeting between Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi in July.
Japan Cricket Association CEO Naoki Alex Miyaji told The Indian Express: “Suddenly, this wasn’t just us wanting to attract a full member (of the International Cricket Council) to inspire a new audience — it became a key event in the 75th anniversary celebration of friendship between the two countries. We were suddenly able to get the support of both governments in talking to our Indian counterparts.”
JCA commits major investment as sponsors come on board
The scale of the occasion has also opened new commercial opportunities for the JCA. Suzuki has signed on as title sponsor, while the association approached MUFG, State Bank of India and TCS, companies that had not previously been JCA partners.
Miyaji said: “Of course, you cannot talk about 75 years of friendship between India and Japan without talking about Suzuki. We also approached MUFG, the biggest bank in Japan, State Bank of India, and TCS, none of whom were JCA partners. We had really good responses.”
The match represents a substantial financial commitment for an emerging cricket market. The JCA is spending around 100 million yen on the event against an annual budget of approximately 200 million to 300 million yen, with the BCCI also providing support.
Miyaji added: “Our annual budget is somewhere between 200 and 300 million yen. This match is costing us about 100 million yen. The BCCI has supported this event. But more than the money, it is about bringing new audiences, giving everyone an opportunity to see the impact a match can have, and also showcase what the Japan team can do.”
Interest has extended to the stands, with tickets attracting buyers quickly after going on sale.
Miyaji noted: “We put tickets on sale about two weeks before the event… even before we were able to send out the emails announcing the sale, the tickets started going.”
For Japan’s players, the fixture also represents a landmark opportunity against one of international cricket’s leading teams.
Kadowaki-Fleming said: “It feels real now. There is still some disbelief that we’ve managed to get this game together.”
Sri Lanka Cricket helps Japan upgrade pitches
Japan has also turned overseas for technical assistance to prepare the playing surface. Sri Lanka Cricket sent groundsmen and clay to Japan, supporting work at both Sano and Nisshin City in Aichi Prefecture.
The project extends beyond the India fixture. Nisshin City is due to stage cricket during the Asian Games, while matching surfaces at Sano will allow teams to use the venue for training.
Miyaji said: “We were going to re-lay the Sano International Cricket Ground anyway, but we brought that plan forward and decided to lay pitches in Aichi at the same time. Same clay, same pitches, so teams at the Asian Games can train in Sano too.”
The India T20I therefore arrives as Japan prepares for another significant period of international exposure through the Asian Games. Japan’s men’s team also narrowly missed qualification for the 2026 T20 World Cup earlier this year.
Japan looks beyond Sano for cricket growth
While Sano remains the centre of Japanese cricket, the JCA is trying to establish the sport in more parts of the country through its City of Cricket programme.
The initiative, which began in Sano more than a decade ago, has expanded to Watari, around 300 to 350 kilometres north of Tokyo, Kaizuka in Osaka and Nisshin. Cricket has also been introduced as a subject in some schools.
Miyaji added: “We’re also working in Hamamatsu, the home of Suzuki’s headquarters.”
Japan All-rounder Sabaorish Ravichandran, who was born in Chennai and has spent a decade in Japan, said: “In Japan, everyone has a day job. Nobody gets paid to play. But on the weekends, you will see hundreds heading to Sano to play cricket. There are a couple of them who even take the bullet train to travel to play. Players like Makoto Taniyama and Wataru Miyauchi, who came through the school cricket system, moved cities just to play cricket.”
Japan targets its own cricket identity
Alongside expanding participation, the JCA is encouraging players to learn cricket terminology in Japanese as part of an effort to make the game feel less like an imported sport.
Kadowaki-Fleming said: “We’ve been developing the Japan way. We do want to be distinctly Japanese in the way that we do things in cricket, on and off the field.”
Baseball, Japan’s dominant bat-and-ball sport, also represents a potential talent pool for cricket. The ambition is to make the sport a viable alternative for young athletes who already possess skills developed through baseball.
Kadowaki-Fleming added: “I want cricket to be a genuine option for baseball players in schools. Once that happens, cricket will have its own Shohei Ohtani (baseball superstar) in a few years.”
With the India fixture bringing together international competition, new commercial partners, infrastructure investment and increased spectator interest, Japan will now have an opportunity to put its developing cricket ecosystem in front of its largest audience yet.
