2024-25 Japanese National Qualifying Competitions & Other Domestic Events

Summary of 2024-25 Japanese domestic competitions. Links to information and results will be updated throughout the season. Events are also available on our calendar.

Reference: 2024-25 JSF National Competitions, 2024-25 Advancement Quota
See also: 2024-25 Nationals tag

Last updated: Dec. 10, 2024

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QUALIFYING STRUCTURE

Skaters qualify for the Japanese National Championships by competing at one of six regional (or “block”) championships and one of two sectional championships (Eastern and Western). Top finishers at regionals advance to sectionals, and top finishers at sectionals advance to nationals. The number of qualifying skaters in each discipline and competition is determined annually by the JSF.

Japan holds three separate national championships for three different levels: novice, junior, and senior. There are two categories of novice, Novice A (older) and Novice B (younger). To qualify for Novice Nationals, skaters are recommended by JSF or compete in the novice category at regional championships. Novice skaters perform only free skates and do not compete at sectionals. To qualify for Junior Nationals, skaters compete in the junior category at regionals and sectionals, and to qualify for Senior Nationals, skaters compete in the senior category at regionals and sectionals. Due to small field sizes, pair and ice dance teams usually do not compete at regionals, only sectionals.

Four (4) top finishers in singles at Novice Nationals are invited to participate in Junior Nationals, and eight (8) top finishers in singles at Junior Nationals are invited to compete at Senior Nationals. The maximum number of singles skaters who can qualify for the junior or senior National Championships is 30 women and 30 men.

Seeded skaters are chosen by the JSF to advance directly to Nationals without competing at qualifying competitions. Generally, medalists at the previous National Championships are seeded. Seeded skaters can still compete at regionals/sectionals if they want to, but they will not count towards the quota of skaters who advance. Seeded skaters for the 2024-25 season are:

• Junior women: Mao Shimada, Ikura Kushida, Rena Uezono

• Junior men: Rio Nakata, Tsudoi Suto

• Senior women: Kaori Sakamoto, Mone Chiba, Mao Shimada

• Senior men: Yuma Kagiyama, Sota Yamamoto

Skaters who would normally need to compete at regionals/sectionals may be exempt from doing so if they have an international competition during or close to their qualifying event.

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REGIONAL/SECTIONAL/NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS

Competitions will be livestreamed on Fuji on Demand (subscription required, can be accessed outside Japan using VPN). Entries are subject to change. Advancement quotas exclude seeded and exempt skaters.

Tokyo Regionals

• Results

• Entries

• Schedule

• Time and place: Sept. 20-23, Funabashi

• Level and disciplines: novice, junior, senior men & women

• Advance to: Eastern Sectionals

• Advancement quota: 21 senior women, 21 senior men, 12 junior women, 16 junior men

• Notable entries: Senior - Nozomu Yoshioka, Koshiro Shimada, Kao Miura, Shun Sato, Yuna Aoki, Maria Egawa, Wakaba Higuchi, Rion Sumiyoshi, Rinka Watanabe. Junior - Daiya Ebihara, Tsudoi Suto (seeded), Saho Otake

• Broadcast: Fuji on Demand

Chubu Regionals

• Results

• Entries

• Schedule

• Time and place: Sept. 21-23, Nagoya

• Level and disciplines: novice, junior, senior men & women

• Advance to: Western Sectionals

• Advancement quota: 11 senior women, 6 senior men, 9 junior women, 9 junior men

• Notable entries: Senior - Mako Yamashita, Mana Kawabe, Kinayu Yokoi, Rino Matsuike, Miyabi Oba. Junior - Seigo Tauchi

• Broadcast: Fuji on Demand

Kanto Regionals

• Results

• Entries

• Schedule

• Time and place: Sept. 26-29, Nikko

• Level and disciplines: novice, junior, senior men & women

• Advance to: Eastern Sectionals

• Advancement quota: 4 senior women, 4 senior men, 7 junior women, 7 junior men

• Notable entries: Junior - Taiga Nishino

• Broadcast: Fuji on Demand

Kinki Regionals

• Results

• Entries

• Schedule

• Time and place: Sept. 26-29, Takaishi

• Level and disciplines: novice, junior, senior men & women

• Advance to: Western Sectionals

• Advancement quota: 13 senior women, 16 senior men, 11 junior women, 15 junior men

• Notable entries: Senior - Shunsuke Nakamura, Nobunari Oda, Kazuki Tomono, Takeru Amine Kataise, Sena Miyake, Tatsuya Tsuboi, Hana Yoshida, Yuna Shiraiwa, Mai Mihara. Junior - Haru Kakiuchi, Ikura Kushida, Ayumi Shibayama, Kei Yamada, Mayuko Oka, Haruna Murakami

• Broadcast: Fuji on Demand

Chu-Shikoku-Kyushu Regionals

• Results

• Entries

• Schedule

• Time and place: Oct. 3-6, Kurashiki

• Level and disciplines: novice, junior, senior men & women

• Advance to: Western Sectionals

• Advancement quota: 6 senior women, 8 senior men, 7 junior women, 5 junior men

• Broadcast: Fuji on Demand

Tohoku-Hokkaido Regionals

• Results

• Entries

• Schedule

• Time and place: Oct. 4-6, Sapporo

• Level and disciplines: novice, junior, senior men & women

• Advance to: Eastern Sectionals

• Advancement quota: 5 senior women, 5 senior men, 9 junior women, 7 junior men

• Broadcast: Fuji on Demand

Novice National Championships

• Results

• Entries

• Schedule

• Time and place: Oct. 18-20, Amagasaki

• Level and disciplines: Novice A & Novice B men, women, ice dance

• Broadcast: Fuji on Demand

Eastern Sectionals

• Results

• Entries

• Schedule

• Time and place: Oct. 25-27, Hachinohe

• Level and disciplines: junior & senior men, women, ice dance

• Advance to: Nationals

• Advancement quota: 5 senior women, 5 senior men, 8 junior women, 12 junior men

• Notable entries: Senior - Kosho Oshima, Maria Egawa, Yurina Okuno, Shiika Yoshioka, Azusa Tanaka/Shingo Nishiyama, Utana Yoshida/Masaya Morita. Junior - Daiya Ebihara, Tsudoi Suto, Rio Nakata, Taiga Nishino, Saho Otake, Mao Shimada, Yo Takagi, Ami Nakai, Sara Kishimoto/Atsuhiko Tamura, Ayumi Shibayama/Tomoki Kimura, Kaho Yamashita/Yuto Nagata, Sumire Yoshida/Ibuki Ogahara

  Broadcast: Fuji on Demand

Western Sectionals

• Results

• Entries

• Schedule

• Time and place: Nov. 1-4, Nagoya

• Level and disciplines: junior & senior men, women, pairs

• Advance to: Nationals

• Advancement quota: 7 senior women, 9 senior men, 15 junior women, 12 junior men

• Notable entries: Senior - Nobunari Oda, Takeru Amine Kataise, Shunsuke Nakamura, Sena Miyake, Miyabi Oba, Mana Kawabe, Yuna Shiraiwa, Saki Miyake, Mako Yamashita, Kinayu Yokoi, Yuna Nagaoka/Sumitada Moriguchi. Junior - Shuntaro Asaga, Haru Kakiuchi, Seigo Tauchi, Sena Takahashi, Masaya Mishima, Rena Uezono, Mayuko Oka, Mei Okada, Reina Kawakatsu, Ikura Kushida, Riria Kono, Haruna Murakami, Kei Yamada, Kaoruko Wada, Ryoga Morimoto, Sae Shimizu/Lucas Tsuyoshi Honda

• Broadcast: Fuji on Demand

Junior National Championships

• Results

• Schedule

• Time and place: Nov. 15-17, Hiroshima

• Level and disciplines: junior men, women, ice dance, pairs

• Notable entries: Rio Nakata, Sena Takahashi, Taiga Nishino, Haru Kakiuchi, Daiya Ebihara, Tsudoi Suto, Shuntaro Asaga, Mao Shimada, Ami Nakai, Kaoruko Wada, Mei Okada, Ikura Kushida, Yo Takagi, Rena Uezono, Mayuko Oka, Haruna Murakami, Kei Yamada, Riria Kono, Sae Shimizu/Lucas Tsuyoshi Honda, Sara Kishimoto/Atsuhiko Tamura, Sumire Yoshida/Ibuki Ogahara, Ayumi Shibayama/Tomoki Kimura, Kaho Yamashita/Yuto Nagata

• Broadcast: Fuji on Demand

Senior National Championships

• Results

• Schedule

• Time and place: Dec. 19-22, Osaka

• Level and disciplines: senior men, women, ice dance, pairs

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OTHER COMPETITIONS

97th National Intercollegiate Championships

• Results & entries

• Schedule

• Time and place: Jan. 4-7, Kofu

• Level and disciplines: senior men, women

• Notable entries: TBA

• Broadcast: TBA

• Note: Entries open to university students.

74th National High School Championships

• Results & entries

• Schedule

• Time and place: Jan. 20-22, Yokohama

• Level and disciplines: junior men, women

• Notable entries: TBA

• Broadcast: TBA

• Note: Entries open to high school students.

79th National Winter Sports Festival

• Results & entries

• Website

• Time and place: Jan. 26-30, Kurashiki

• Level and disciplines: junior & senior men, women

• Notable entries: TBA

• Broadcast: TBA

• Note: Multi-sport event including figure skating. Skaters represent their prefectures.

45th National Junior High School Championships

• Results & entries

• Schedule

• Time and place: Feb. 2-4, Nagano

• Level and disciplines: junior men, women

• Notable entries: TBA

• Broadcast: TBA

• Note: Entries open to junior high (middle school) students.

2023-24 Japanese National Qualifying Competitions & Other Domestic Events

Summary of 2023-24 Japanese domestic competitions. Links to information and results will be updated throughout the season. Events are also available on our calendar.

Reference: 2023-24 JSF National Competitions, 2023-24 Advancement Quota
See also: 2023-24 Nationals tag

Last updated: Feb. 4, 2024

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QUALIFYING STRUCTURE

Skaters qualify for the Japanese National Championships by competing at one of six regional (or “block”) championships and one of two sectional championships (Eastern and Western). Top finishers at regionals advance to sectionals, and top finishers at sectionals advance to nationals. The number of qualifying skaters in each discipline and competition is determined annually by the JSF.

Japan holds three separate national championships for three different levels: novice, junior, and senior. There are two categories of novice, Novice A (older) and Novice B (younger). To qualify for Novice Nationals, skaters are recommended by JSF or compete in the novice category at regional championships. Novice skaters perform only free skates and do not compete at sectionals. To qualify for Junior Nationals, skaters compete in the junior category at regionals and sectionals, and to qualify for Senior Nationals, skaters compete in the senior category at regionals and sectionals. Due to small field sizes, pair and ice dance teams usually do not compete at regionals, only sectionals.

Four (4) top finishers in singles at Novice Nationals are invited to participate in Junior Nationals, and eight (8) top finishers in singles at Junior Nationals are invited to compete at Senior Nationals. The maximum number of singles skaters who can qualify for the junior or senior National Championships is 30 women and 30 men.

Seeded skaters are chosen by the JSF to advance directly to Nationals without competing at qualifying competitions. Generally, medalists at the previous National Championships are seeded. Seeded skaters can still compete at regionals/sectionals if they want to, but they will not count towards the quota of skaters who advance. Seeded skaters for the 2023-24 season are:

• Junior women: Mao Shimada, Ami Nakai

• Senior women: Kaori Sakamoto, Mai Mihara, Mao Shimada

• Senior men: Shoma Uno, Koshiro Shimada, Kazuki Tomono

• Senior pairs: Riku Miura/Ryuichi Kihara

Skaters who would normally need to compete at regionals/sectionals may be exempt from doing so if they have an international competition during or close to their qualifying event.

---

REGIONAL/SECTIONAL/NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS

Regionals and Sectionals will be livestreamed on Fuji on Demand (available only in Japan). Entries are subject to change. Advancement quota numbers do not include seeded or exempted skaters.

Tokyo Regionals

• Results & entries

• Time and place: Sept. 22-24, Nishitokyo

• Level and disciplines: novice, junior, senior men, women

• Advance to: Eastern Sectionals

• Advancement quota: 12 junior women, 20 junior men, 21 senior women, 23 senior men

• Notable entries: Senior - Nozomu Yoshioka, Shun Sato, Yuma Kagiyama, Kao Miura, Yuna Aoki, Maria Egawa, Wakaba Higuchi, Marin Honda, Rion Sumiyoshi, Rinka Watanabe. Junior - Tsudoi Suto, Rio Nakata, Yurina Okuno

• Broadcast: Fuji on Demand

Chubu Regionals

• Results & entries

• Time and place: Sept. 22-24, Nagoya

• Level and disciplines: novice, junior, senior men, women

• Advance to: Western Sectionals

• Advancement quota: 5 junior women, 8 junior men, 14 senior women, 4 senior men

• Notable entries: Senior - Sota Yamamoto, Nana Araki, Mako Yamashita, Mana Kawabe, Rino Matsuike, Miyabi Oba. Junior - Kinayu Yokoi, Kaoruko Wada

• Broadcast: Fuji on Demand

Kinki Regionals

• Results & entries

• Time and place: Sept. 29 - Oct. 1, Otsu

• Level and disciplines: novice, junior, senior men, women

• Advance to: Western Sectionals

• Advancement quota: 15 junior women, 14 junior men, 9 senior women, 17 senior men

• Notable entries: Senior - Lucas Tsuyoshi Honda, Nobunari Oda, Yuto Kishina, Takeru Amine Kataise, Sena Miyake, Tatsuya Tsuboi, Mone Chiba, Hana Yoshida, Yuna Shiraiwa, Ayumi Kagotani. Junior - Sena Takahashi, Ikura Kushida

• Broadcast: Fuji on Demand

Tohoku-Hokkaido Regionals

• Results & entries

• Time and place: Sept. 29 - Oct. 1, Niigata

• Level and disciplines: novice, junior, senior men, women

• Advance to: Eastern Sectionals

• Advancement quota: 6 junior women, 6 junior men, 4 senior women, 4 senior men

• Broadcast: Fuji on Demand

Kanto Regionals

• Results & entries

• Time and place: Oct. 7-9, Yokohama

• Level and disciplines: novice, junior, senior men, women

• Advance to: Eastern Sectionals

• Advancement quota: 11 junior women, 3 junior men, 5 senior women, 3 senior men

• Notable entries: Senior - Shiika Yoshioka

• Broadcast: Fuji on Demand

Chu-Shikoku-Kyushu Regionals

• Results & entries

• Time and place: Oct. 7-9, Fukuoka

• Level and disciplines: novice, junior, senior men, women

• Advance to: Western Sectionals

• Advancement quota: 7 junior women, 4 junior men, 7 senior women, 9 senior men

• Broadcast: Fuji on Demand

Novice National Championships

• Results & entries

• Time and place: Oct. 20-22, Nishitokyo

• Level and disciplines: Novice A & Novice B men, women, ice dance

• Broadcast: Fuji on Demand

Western Sectionals

• Results & entries

• Time and place: Oct. 26-29, Hiroshima

• Level and disciplines: junior & senior men, women, ice dance

• Advance to: Nationals

• Advancement quota: 13 junior women, 16 junior men, 7 senior women, 6 senior men

• Notable entries: Senior - Nobunari Oda, Haruya Sasaki, Lucas Tsuyoshi Honda, Yuto Kishina, Sena Miyake, Nana Araki, Miyabi Oba, Ayumi Kagotani, Sae Shimizu, Yuna Shiraiwa, Saki Miyake, Mako Yamashita, Misato Komatsubara/Tim Koleto, Azusa Tanaka/Shingo Nishiyama, Utana Yoshida/Masaya Morita. Junior - Shuntaro Asaga, Haru Kakiuchi, Seigo Tauchi, Sena Takahashi, Shunsuke Nakamura, Masaya Mishima, Ryoga Morimoto, Haruna Murakami, Ikura Kushida, Mao Shimada, Kinayu Yokoi, Rena Uezono, Kaoruko Wada, Ayumi Shibayama, Sara Kishimoto/Atsuhiko Tamura

• Broadcast: Fuji on Demand

Eastern Sectionals

• Results & entries

• Time and place: Nov. 2-5, Hachinohe

• Level and disciplines: junior & senior men, women, pairs

• Advance to: Nationals

• Advancement quota: 11 junior women, 10 junior men, 5 senior women, 8 senior men

• Notable entries: Senior - Shun Sato, Nozomu Yoshioka, Yuna Aoki, Maria Egawa, Marin Honda, Shiika Yoshioka, Yuna Nagaoka/Sumitada Moriguchi. Junior - Daiya Ebihara, Tsudoi Suto, Rio Nakata, Taiga Nishino, Yurina Okuno, Yo Takagi, Ami Nakai, Sae Shimizu/Lucas Tsuyoshi Honda

• Broadcast: Fuji on Demand

Junior National Championships

• Results & entries

• Time and place: Nov. 17-19, Otsu

• Level and disciplines: junior men, women, ice dance, pairs

• Notable entries: Shuntaro Asaga, Daiya Ebihara, Haru Kakiuchi, Tsudoi Suto, Seigo Tauchi, Sena Takahashi, Rio Nakata, Shunsuke Nakamura, Taiga Nishino, Ryoga Morimoto, Rena Uezono, Yurina Okuno, Ikura Kushida, Ayumi Shibayama, Mao Shimada, Yo Takagi, Ami Nakai, Haruna Murakami, Kinayu Yokoi, Kaoruko Wada, Sae Shimizu/Lucas Tsuyoshi Honda, Sara Kishimoto/Atsuhiko Tamura

• Broadcast: Fuji on Demand

Senior National Championships

• Results & entries

• Time and place: Dec. 20-24, Nagano

• Level and disciplines: senior men, women, ice dance, pairs

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OTHER COMPETITIONS

96th National Intercollegiate Championships

• Results & entries

• Schedule

• Time and place: Jan. 4-7, Maebashi

• Level and disciplines: senior men, women

• Notable entries: Yuma Kagiyama, Lucas Tsuyoshi Honda, Sumitada Moriguchi, Nozomu Yoshioka, Kosho Oshima, Saki Miyake, Yuna Shiraiwa, Mana Kawabe, Rino Matsuike, Kinayu Yokoi, Yuna Aoki, Rinka Watanabe, Maria Egawa, Rion Sumiyoshi

• Broadcast: Fuji on Demand

• Note: Entries open to university students.

73rd National High School Championships

• Results & entries

• Schedule

• Time and place: Jan. 17-21, Hitachinaka

• Level and disciplines: junior men, women

• Notable entries: Yurina Okuno, Ikura Kushida, Mone Chiba, Yo Takagi, Hana Yoshida, Ayumi Shibayama, Shunsuke Nakamura, Kao Miura

• Broadcast: Free Youtube livestreams

• Note: Entries open to high school students.

78th National Winter Sports Festival

• Results & entries

• Website

• Time and place: Jan. 28-31, Tomakomai

• Level and disciplines: junior & senior men, women

• Notable entries: Senior - Rion Sumiyoshi, Wakaba Higuchi, Yuna Aoki, Mana Kawabe, Kaori Sakamoto, Saki Miyake, Maria Egawa, Rino Matsuike, Haruya Sasaki, Kazuki Tomono, Nobunari Oda, Nozomu Yoshioka. Junior - Kao Miura, Daiya Ebihara, Seigo Tauchi, Shunsuke Nakamura, Ryoga Morimoto, Yurina Okuno, Hana Yoshida, Ayumi Shibayama, Ikura Kushida

• Broadcast: Free livestreams

• Note: Multi-sport event including figure skating. Skaters represent their prefectures.

44th National Junior High School Championships

• Results & entries

• Schedule

• Time and place: Feb. 3-6, Nagano

• Level and disciplines: junior men, women

• Notable entries: Taiga Nishino, Daiya Ebihara, Sena Takahashi, Seigo Tauchi, Ami Nakai, Mayuko Oka, Mei Okada, Kaoruko Wada, Ayumi Nakao

• Broadcast: JSports on Demand

• Note: Entries open to junior high (middle school) students.

2022-23 Japanese National Qualifying Competitions & Other Domestic Events

Summary of 2022-23 Japanese domestic competitions. Links to information and results will be updated throughout the season. Events are also available on our calendar.

Reference: 2022-23 JSF National Competitions, 2022-23 Advancement Quota
See also: 2022-23 Nationals tag

Last updated: Feb. 3, 2023

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QUALIFYING STRUCTURE

Skaters qualify for the Japanese National Championships by competing at one of six regional (or “block”) championships and one of two sectional championships (Eastern and Western). Top finishers at regionals advance to sectionals, and top finishers at sectionals advance to nationals. The number of qualifying skaters in each discipline and competition is determined annually by the JSF.

Japan holds three separate national championships for three different levels: novice, junior, and senior. There are two categories of novice, Novice A (older) and Novice B (younger). To qualify for Novice Nationals, skaters compete in the novice category at regional championships. Novice skaters perform only free skates and do not compete at sectionals. To qualify for Junior Nationals, skaters compete in the junior category at regionals and sectionals, and to qualify for Senior Nationals, skaters compete in the senior category at regionals and sectionals. Top finishers at Novice Nationals are invited to participate in Junior Nationals, and top finishers at Junior Nationals are invited to compete at Senior Nationals. Due to small field sizes, pair and ice dance teams usually do not compete at regionals, only sectionals.

Seeded skaters are chosen by the JSF to advance directly to Nationals without competing at qualifying competitions. Generally, medalists at the previous National Championships are seeded. Seeded skaters can still compete at regionals/sectionals if they want to, but they will not count towards the quota of skaters who advance. Seeded skaters for the 2022-23 season are:

• Junior women: Mao Shimada, Mone Chiba

• Junior men: Nozomu Yoshioka

• Senior women: Kaori Sakamoto, Wakaba Higuchi, Mana Kawabe

• Senior men: Shoma Uno, Yuma Kagiyama

• Senior pairs: Riku Miura/Ryuichi Kihara

• Senior ice dance: Misato Komatsubara/Tim Koleto, Kana Muramoto/Daisuke Takahashi

Skaters who would normally need to compete at regionals/sectionals may be exempt from doing so if they have an international competition during or close to their qualifying event.

The maximum number of singles skaters who can qualify for the junior or senior National Championships is 30 women and 30 men. For the 2022-23 season, the top 8 finishers in the singles disciplines at Junior Nationals will be invited to Senior Nationals.

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REGIONAL/SECTIONAL/NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS

Regionals and Sectionals will be livestreamed on Fuji on Demand. Entries are subject to change.

Kanto Regionals

• Results & entries

• Time and place: Sept. 23-25, Nikko

• Level and disciplines: novice, junior, senior men, women

• Advance to: Eastern Sectionals

• Advancement quota: 11 junior women, 7 junior men, 4 senior women, 4 senior men

• Notable entries: Senior - Shiika Yoshioka

Chubu Regionals

• Results & entries

• Time and place: Sept. 23-25, Nagoya

• Level and disciplines: novice, junior, senior men, women

• Advance to: Western Sectionals

• Advancement quota: 8 junior women, 7 junior men, 13 senior women, 6 senior men

• Notable entries: Senior - Sota Yamamoto, Chisato Uramatsu, Mako Yamashita, Mana Kawabe, Kinayu Yokoi, Rino Matsuike, Rika Kihira, Miyabi Oba, Yuhana Yokoi

Chu-Shikoku-Kyushu Regionals

• Results & entries

• Time and place: Sept. 30 - Oct. 2, Okayama

• Level and disciplines: novice, junior, senior men, women

• Advance to: Western Sectionals

• Advancement quota: 6 junior women, 9 junior men, 7 senior women, 10 senior men

• Notable entries: Senior - Chiyono Nagami, Saki Miyake, Hina Takeno

Tokyo Regionals

• Results & entries

• Time and place: Sept. 30 - Oct. 2, Nishitokyo

• Level and disciplines: novice, junior, senior men, women

• Advance to: Eastern Sectionals

• Advancement quota: 12 junior women, 16 junior men, 21 senior women, 20 senior men

• Notable entries: Senior - Koshiro Shimada, Shun Sato, Kao Miura, Rinka Watanabe, Yuna Aoki, Akari Matsubara, Maria Egawa, Marin Honda, Rion Sumiyoshi

Tohoku-Hokkaido Regionals

• Results & entries

• Time and place: Oct. 8-9, Hachinohe

• Level and disciplines: novice, junior, senior men, women

• Advance to: Eastern Sectionals

• Advancement quota: 7 junior women, 6 junior men, 5 senior women, 6 senior men

Kinki Regionals

• Results & entries

• Time and place: Oct. 8-10, Amagasaki

• Level and disciplines: novice, junior, senior men, women

• Advance to: Western Sectionals

• Advancement quota: 16 junior women, 13 junior men, 10 senior women, 14 senior men

• Notable entries: Senior - Lucas Tsuyoshi Honda, Sumitada Moriguchi, Kazuki Tomono, Mitsuki Sumoto, Sena Miyake, Yuto Kishina, Tatsuya Tsuboi, Ayumi Kagotani, Mai Mihara. Junior - Azusa Tanaka, Ikura Kushida

Novice National Championships

• Results & entries

• Time and place: Oct. 21-23, Sapporo

• Level and disciplines: Novice A & Novice B men, women, ice dance

Western Sectionals

• Results & entries

• Time and place: Oct. 27-30, Kyoto

• Level and disciplines: junior & senior men, women, ice dance

• Advance to: Nationals

• Advancement quota: 12 junior women, 16 junior men, 7 senior women, 10 senior men

• Notable entries: Senior - Mitsuki Sumoto, Sumitada Moriguchi, Lucas Tsuyoshi Honda, Tatsuya Tsuboi, Yuto Kishina, Mai Mihara, Ayumi Kagotani, Hana Yoshida, Mako Yamashita, Kinayu Yokoi, Miyabi Oba. Junior - Takeru Amine Kataise, Shunsuke Nakamura, Ikura Kushida, Ayumi Shibayama, Mao Shimada, Azusa Tanaka, Nao Kida/Masaya Morita

Eastern Sectionals

• Results & entries

• Time and place: Nov. 3-6, Maebashi

• Level and disciplines: junior & senior men, women, pairs

• Advance to: Nationals

• Advancement quota: 12 junior women, 9 junior men, 8 senior women, 4 senior men

• Notable entries: Senior - Yuna Aoki, Maria Egawa, Tomoe Kawabata, Marin Honda, Akari Matsubara, Shiika Yoshioka. Junior - Rio Nakata, Nozomu Yoshioka, Mone Chiba, Ami Nakai, Haruna Murakami/Sumitada Moriguchi

Junior National Championships

• Results & entries

• Time and place: Nov. 25-27, Hitachinaka

• Level and disciplines: junior men, women, ice dance, pairs

• Notable entries: Takeru Amine Kataise, Rio Nakata, Shunsuke Nakamura, Ryoga Morimoto, Nozomu Yoshioka, Ikura Kushida, Ayumi Shibayama, Mao Shimada, Mone Chiba, Ami Nakai, Haruna Murakami/Sumitada Moriguchi, Nao Kida/Masaya Morita

• Broadcast: Paid livestreaming on Fuji on Demand

Senior National Championships

• Results & entries

• Time and place: Dec. 21-25, Osaka

• Level and disciplines: senior men, women, ice dance, pairs

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OTHER COMPETITIONS

95th National Intercollegiate Championships

• Results & entries

• Schedule

• Time and place: Jan. 4-7, Tomakomai

• Level and disciplines: men, women

• Notable entries: Shun Sato, Nozomu Yoshioka, Takeru Amine Kataise, Lucas Tsuyoshi Honda, Sumitada Moriguchi, Tatsuya Tsuboi, Maria Egawa, Rion Sumiyoshi, Yuna Aoki, Tomoe Kawabata, Rinka Watanabe, Mako Yamashita, Yuhana Yokoi, Saki Miyake, Kaori Sakamoto

• Broadcast: Fuji on Demand (paid livestream)

• Note: Entries open to university students. Free skates only.

72nd National High School Championships

• Results & entries

• Schedule

• Time and place: Jan. 16-17, Ageo

• Level and disciplines: men, women

• Notable entries: Kao Miura, Shunsuke Nakamura, Ryoga Morimoto, Tsudoi Suto, Mone Chiba, Yurina Okuno, Mana Kawabe, Rino Matsuike, Hana Yoshida, Azusa Tanaka

• Broadcast: Sportsbull (free livestream)

• Note: Entries open to high school students.

78th National Winter Sports Festival

• Results & entries

• Schedule

• Website

• Time and place: Jan. 28-31, Hachinohe

• Level and disciplines: junior & senior men, women

• Notable entries: Senior - Rinka Watanabe, Rion Sumiyoshi, Yuhana Yokoi, Kaori Sakamoto, Mai Mihara, Mako Yamashita, Saki Miyake, Shun Sato, Sota Yamamoto, Tatsuya Tsuboi, Lucas Tsuyoshi Honda, Nobunari Oda, Kazuki Tomono, Nozomu Yoshioka, Sena Miyake, Sumitada Moriguchi. Junior - Mone Chiba, Rino Matsuike, Hana Yoshida, Ayumi Shibayama, Yurina Okuno, Tsudoi Suto, Shunsuke Nakamura, Ryoga Morimoto, Haru Kakiuchi

• Broadcast: Video archives

• Note: Multi-sport event including figure skating. Skaters represent their prefectures.

43rd National Junior High School Championships

• Results & entries

• Schedule

• Time and place: Feb. 5-7, Nagano

• Level and disciplines: men, women

• Notable entries: Rio Nakata, Sena Takahashi, Mao Shimada, Ayumi Shibayama, Haruna Murakami, Yo Takagi, Ikura Kushida, Kaoruko Wada, Ami Nakai

• Broadcast: JSports livestreams (paid)

• Note: Entries open to junior high (middle school) students.

2021-22 Japanese National Qualifying Competitions & Other Domestic Events

Summary of 2021-22 Japanese domestic competitions. Links to information and results will be updated throughout the season. Events are also available on our calendar.

Reference: 2021-22 JSF National Competitions, 2021-22 Advancement Quota
See also: 2021-22 Nationals tag

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QUALIFYING STRUCTURE

Skaters qualify for the Japanese National Championships by competing at one of six regional (or “block”) championships and one of two sectional championships (Eastern and Western). Top finishers at regionals advance to sectionals, and top finishers at sectionals advance to nationals. The number of qualifying skaters in each discipline and competition is determined annually by the JSF.

Japan holds three separate national championships for three different levels: novice, junior, and senior. There are two categories of novice, Novice A (older) and Novice B (younger). To qualify for Novice Nationals, skaters compete in the novice category at regional championships. Novice skaters perform only free skates and do not compete at sectionals. To qualify for Junior Nationals, skaters compete in the junior category at regionals and sectionals, and to qualify for Senior Nationals, skaters compete in the senior category at regionals and sectionals. Top finishers at Novice Nationals are invited to participate in Junior Nationals, and top finishers at Junior Nationals are invited to compete at Senior Nationals. Due to small field sizes, pair and ice dance teams usually do not compete at regionals, only sectionals.

Seeded skaters are chosen by the JSF to advance directly to Nationals without competing at qualifying competitions. Generally, medalists at the previous National Championships are seeded. Seeded skaters can still compete at regionals/sectionals if they want to, but they will not count towards the quota of skaters who advance. Seeded skaters for the 2021-22 season are:

• Junior women: Rino Matsuike (competing senior in 2021-22), Hana Yoshida, Mao Shimada

• Junior men: Lucas Tsuyoshi Honda (competing senior in 2021-22), Kao Miura

• Senior women: Rika Kihira, Kaori Sakamoto, Satoko Miyahara

• Senior men: Yuzuru Hanyu, Shoma Uno, Yuma Kagiyama

• Senior pairs: Miura/Kihara

• Senior ice dance: Komatsubara/Koleto

Skaters who would normally need to compete at regionals/sectionals may be exempt from doing so if they have an international competition during or close to their qualifying event.

The maximum number of singles skaters who can qualify for the junior or senior National Championships is 30 women and 30 men.

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REGIONAL/SECTIONAL/NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS

Regionals, Sectionals, Novice and Junior Nationals will be streamed live for subscribers with Fuji On Demand, available only in Japan. Entries are subject to change.

Chu-Shikoku-Kyushu Regionals

• Results & entries

• Schedule

• Time and place: Sept. 24-26, Iizuka

• Level and disciplines: novice, junior, senior men, women

• Advance to: Western Sectionals

• Advancement quota: 10 junior women, 9 junior men, 7 senior women, 9 senior men

• Notable entries: Senior - Chiyono Nagami, Saki Miyake, Hina Takeno. Junior - Maria Egawa

• Broadcast: Oct. 9 at 20:00 JST, Fuji TV TWO

Chubu Regionals

• Results & entries

• Schedule

• Time and place: Sept. 24-26, Nagoya

• Level and disciplines: novice, junior, senior men, women

• Advance to: Western Sectionals

• Advancement quota: 10 junior women, 4 junior men, 11 senior women, 6 senior men

• Notable entries: Senior - Sota Yamamoto, Rin Nitaya, Yuhana Yokoi, Nana Araki, Chisato Uramatsu, Mako Yamashita, Rino Matsuike, Miyabi Oba. Junior - Kinayu Yokoi

• Broadcast: Oct. 10 at 20:00 JST, Fuji TV TWO

Kanto Regionals

• Results & entries

• Schedule

• Time and place: Oct. 1-3, Chiba

• Level and disciplines: novice, junior, senior men, women

• Advance to: Eastern Sectionals

• Advancement quota: 10 junior women, 15 junior men, 7 senior women, 4 senior men

• Notable entries: Senior - Shun Sato, Yuma Kagiyama, Shiika Yoshioka. Junior - Natsu Suzuki

• Broadcast: Oct. 16 at 11:00 JST, Fuji TV TWO

Tohoku-Hokkaido Regionals

• Results & entries

• Schedule

• Time and place: Oct. 1-3, Sapporo

• Level and disciplines: novice, junior, senior men, women

• Advance to: Eastern Sectionals

• Advancement quota: 10 junior women, 4 junior men, 7 senior women, 4 senior men

• Notable entries: Senior - Honoka Hirotani

• Broadcast: Oct. 17 at 11:00 JST, Fuji TV TWO

Kinki Regionals

• Results & entries

• Schedule

• Time and place: Oct. 7-10, Uji

• Level and disciplines: novice, junior, senior men, women

• Advance to: Western Sectionals

• Advancement quota: 10 junior women, 17 junior men, 12 senior women, 14 senior men

• Notable entries: Senior - Lucas Tsuyoshi Honda, Mitsuki Sumoto, Sena Miyake, Yuto Kishina, Kazuki Tomono, Mana Kawabe, Yuna Shiraiwa, Riko Takino, Ayaka Hosoda, Kaori Sakamoto, Mai Mihara. Junior - Shunsuke Nakamura, Takeru Kataise, Tatsuya Tsuboi, Hana Yoshida, Azusa Tanaka, Ayumi Shibayama. Novice A - Mao Shimada

• Broadcast: Oct. 23 at 11:00 JST, Fuji TV TWO

Tokyo Regionals

• Results & entries

• Schedule

• Time and place: Oct. 7-10, Nishitokyo

• Level and disciplines: novice, junior, senior men, women

• Advance to: Eastern Sectionals

• Advancement quota: 10 junior women, 11 junior men, 15 senior women, 20 senior men

• Notable entries: Senior - Koshiro Shimada, Taichiro Yamakuma, Rinka Watanabe, Miyu Honda, Satoko Miyahara, Yuna Aoki, Akari Matsubara, Ibuki Sato, Tomoe Kawabata, Wakaba Higuchi, Marin Honda. Junior - Ami Nakai, Rion Sumiyoshi

• Broadcast: Oct. 24 at 11:00 JST, Fuji TV TWO

Novice National Championships

• Results & entries

• Schedule

• Time and place: Oct. 22-24, Otsu

• Level and disciplines: Novice A & Novice B men, women, ice dance

• Broadcast: Nov. 6 at 11:00 JST, Fuji TV TWO

Eastern Sectionals

• Results & entries

• Schedule

• Time and place: Oct. 28-31, Nishitokyo

• Level and disciplines: junior & senior men, women, ice dance

• Advance to: Nationals

• Advancement quota: 10 junior women, 8 junior men, 5 senior women, 6 senior men

• Notable entries: Sr - Koshiro Shimada, Taichiro Yamakuma, Yuna Aoki, Tomoe Kawabata, Ibuki Sato, Honoka Hirotani, Marin Honda, Akari Matsubara, Shiika Yoshioka, Rinka Watanabe. Jr - Kao Miura, Natsu Suzuki, Rion Sumiyoshi, Ami Nakai

• Broadcast: Nov. 13 at 11:00 JST, Fuji TV TWO

Western Sectionals

• Results & entries

• Schedule

• Time and place: Nov. 4-7, Fukuoka

• Level and disciplines: junior & senior men, women, senior pairs

• Advance to: Nationals

• Advancement quota: 14 junior women, 17 junior men, 11 senior women, 9 senior men

• Notable entries: Sr - Yuto Kishina, Kazuki Kushida, Sumitada Moriguchi, Mitsuki Sumoto, Nana Araki, Chisato Uramatsu, Miyabi Oba, Ayumi Kagotani, Riona Kato, Yuna Shiraiwa, Hina Takeno, Rin Nitaya, Saki Miyake, Mako Yamashita. Jr - Takeru Kataise, Tatsuya Tsuboi, Shunsuke Nakamura, Maria Egawa, Ayumi Shibayama, Azusa Tanaka, Kinayu Yokoi, Hana Yoshida

• Broadcast: Nov. 20 at 11:00 JST, Fuji TV TWO

Junior National Championships

• Results & entries

• Schedule

• Time and place: Nov. 19-21, Nagoya

• Level and disciplines: junior men, women, ice dance

• Notable entries: Takeru Kataise, Tatsuya Tsuboi, Shunsuke Nakamura, Kao Miura, Nozomi Yoshioka, Maria Egawa, Ikura Kushida, Ayumi Shibayama, Mao Shimada, Sae Shimizu, Natsu Suzuki, Rion Sumiyoshi, Sakurako Daimon, Yo Takagi, Azusa Tanaka, Mone Chiba, Ami Nakai, Kinayu Yokoi, Hana Yoshida

• Broadcast: Dec. 4 at 11:00 JST, Fuji TV TWO

Senior National Championships

• Results & entries

• Schedule

• Time and place: Dec. 22-26, Saitama

• Level and disciplines: senior men, women, pairs, ice dance

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OTHER COMPETITIONS

94th National Collegiate Championships

• Results: Level 7/8 Men, Level 7/8 Women

• Time and place: Jan. 5-9, Obihiro

• Level and disciplines: men, women

• Notable entries: Sota Yamamoto, Tatsuya Tsuboi, Sena Miyake, Lucas Tsuyoshi Honda, Mitsuki Sumoto, Kaori Sakamoto, Rinka Watanabe, Yuna Aoki, Akari Matsubara, Yuhana Yokoi

• Broadcast: Fuji on Demand

• Note: Free skate only. Entries open to university students.

71st National High School Championships

• Results & entries

• Time and place: Jan. 17-21, Aomori

• Level and disciplines: men, women

• Notable entries: Miyu Honda, Mone Chiba, Rion Sumiyoshi, Kinayu Yokoi, Azusa Tanaka, Shunsuke Nakamura, Takeru Kataise, Nozomu Yoshioka

• Broadcast: Free livestream

• Note: Entries open to high school students.

77th National Winter Sports Festival

• Results & entries

• Time and place: Jan. 24-27, Nikko

• Level and disciplines: junior & senior men, women

• Notable entries: Sr - Sota Yamamoto, Lucas Tsuyoshi Honda, Yuna Aoki, Mako Yamashita. Jr - Shunsuke Nakamura, Takeru Kataise, Nozomu Yoshioka, Mone Chiba, Rion Sumiyoshi, Kinayu Yokoi, Azusa Tanaka

• Broadcast: Free livestreams

• Note: Multi-sport event including figure skating. Skaters represent their prefectures.

42nd National Junior High School Championships

• Results & entries

• Time and place: Jan. 30 - Feb. 1, Nagano

• Level and disciplines: men, women

• Notable entries: Mao Shimada, Ami Nakai, Ayumi Shibayama, Sakurako Daimon

• Broadcast: TBA

• Note: Entries open to junior high (middle school) students.

2020-21 Japanese National Qualifying Competitions & Other Domestic Events

The 2020-21 Japanese regional/sectional competitions will take place from September to November. This post will explain the JSF’s national qualifying structure as well as a list of other notable domestic competitions. Links to information and results will be updated throughout the season. Events have also been added to our Google calendar ("SYWTWFS Extra").

Reference: JSF National Competitions, 2020-21 Advancement Quota

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QUALIFYING STRUCTURE

Skaters qualify for the Japanese National Championships by competing at one of six regional (or “block”) championships and one of two sectional championships (Eastern and Western). Top finishers at regionals advance to sectionals, and top finishers at sectionals advance to nationals. The number of qualifying skaters in each discipline and competition is determined annually by the JSF.

Japan holds three separate national championships for three different levels: novice, junior, and senior. There are two categories of novice, Novice A (older) and Novice B (younger). To qualify for Novice Nationals, skaters compete in the novice category at regional championships. Novice skaters perform only free skates and do not compete at sectionals. To qualify for Junior Nationals, skaters compete in the junior category at regionals and sectionals, and to qualify for Senior Nationals, skaters compete in the senior category at regionals and sectionals. Top finishers at Novice Nationals are invited to participate in Junior Nationals, and top finishers at Junior Nationals are invited to compete at Senior Nationals. Pair and ice dance teams do not compete at regionals, only sectionals.

Seeded skaters are chosen by the JSF to advance directly to Nationals without competing at qualifying competitions. Generally, medalists at the previous National Championships are seeded. Seeded skaters can still compete at regionals/sectionals if they want to, but they will not count towards the quota of skaters who advance. Seeded skaters for the 2020-21 season are:

• Junior ladies: Hana Yoshida

• Junior men: Lucas Tsuyoshi Honda

• Senior ladies: Rika Kihira, Wakaba Higuchi, Tomoe Kawabata, Satoko Miyahara

• Senior men: Shoma Uno, Yuzuru Hanyu, Yuma Kagiyama

Skaters who would normally need to compete at regionals/sectionals may be exempt from doing so if they have an international competition during or within one week of their qualifying event. The following skaters are exempt from Sectionals and automatically qualify for Nationals:

• Senior men: Koshiro Shimada

• Senior pairs: Miura/Kihara

• Senior ice dance: Fukase/Cho, Muramoto/Takahashi

The maximum number of singles skaters who can qualify for the junior or senior National Championships is 30 ladies and 30 men.

(Reference, reference)

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REGIONAL/SECTIONAL/NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS

Regionals, Sectionals, Novice Nationals and Junior Nationals can be streamed live with Fuji On Demand (available only in Japan) and delayed highlights will be aired on Fuji TV channels. Please keep an eye on our blog for more information on watching the Senior National Championships.

Regionals, Sectionals, and Novice Nationals will be held without an audience due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Entries are subject to change.

Chu-Shikoku-Kyushu Regionals

• Results & entries

• Schedule

• Time and place: Sept. 25-27, Okayama, Okayama Prefecture

• Level and disciplines: Novice, junior, senior men & ladies

• Advance to: Western Sectionals

• Advancement quota: 7 junior ladies, 10 junior men, 7 senior ladies, 7 senior men

• Notable entries: Senior - Keiji Tanaka, Hina Takeno

• Broadcast: Fuji On Demand (live). Oct. 10 at 11:00 JST, Fuji TV NEXT

Chubu Regionals

• Results & entries

• Schedule

• Time and place: Sept. 25-27, Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture

• Level and disciplines: Novice, junior, senior men & ladies

• Advance to: Western Sectionals

• Advancement quota: 11 junior ladies, 3 junior men, 14 senior ladies, 9 senior men

• Notable entries: Senior - Ryuju Hino, Sota Yamamoto, Rika Hongo, Rin Nitaya, Yura Matsuda, Yuhana Yokoi, Nana Araki, Mako Yamashita, Miyabi Oba, Rino Kasakake. Junior - Tatsuya Tsuboi, Chisato Uramatsu, Kinayu Yokoi, Rino Matsuike

• Broadcast: Fuji On Demand (live). Oct. 11 at 13:00 JST, Fuji TV ONE

Kinki Regionals

• Results & entries

• Schedule

• Time and place: Oct. 2-4, Takaishi, Osaka Prefecture

• Level and disciplines: Novice, junior, senior men & ladies

• Advance to: Western Sectionals

• Advancement quota: 12 junior ladies, 17 junior men, 9 senior ladies, 14 senior men

• Notable entries: Senior - Kazuki Tomono, Taichi Honda, Mitsuki Sumoto, Mana Kawabe, Ayaka Hosoda, Yuna Shiraiwa, Riko Takino, Moa Iwano, Kaori Sakamoto, Mai Mihara. Junior - Shunsuke Nakamura, Lucas Tsuyoshi Honda (seed), Sena Miyake, Yuto Kishina, Haruya Sasaki, Takeru Kataise

• Broadcast: Fuji On Demand (live). Oct. 18 at 13:00 JST, Fuji TV ONE

Kanto Regionals

• Results & entries

• Schedule

• Time and place: Oct. 2-4, Hitachinaka, Ibaraki Prefecture

• Level and disciplines: Novice, junior, senior men & ladies

• Advance to: Eastern Sectionals

• Advancement quota: 7 junior ladies, 14 junior men, 6 senior ladies, 3 senior men

• Notable entries: Senior - Shun Sato, Yuma Kagiyama (seed), Shiika Yoshioka. Junior - Kao Miura

• Broadcast: Fuji On Demand (live). Oct. 17 at 13:00 JST, Fuji TV ONE

Tokyo Regionals

• Results & entries

• Schedule

• Time and place: Oct. 9-11, West Tokyo, Tokyo

• Level and disciplines: Novice, junior, senior men & ladies

• Advance to: Eastern Sectionals

• Advancement quota: 10 junior ladies, 10 junior men, 18 senior ladies, 21 senior men

• Notable entries: Senior - Taichiro Yamakuma, Miyu Honda, Marin Honda, Yuna Aoki, Akari Matsubara, Yuka Nagai, Ibuki Sato. Junior - Rion Sumiyoshi

• Broadcast: Fuji On Demand (live). Oct. 24 at 12:00 JST, Fuji TV NEXT

Tohoku-Hokkaido Regionals

• Results & entries

• Schedule

• Time and place: Oct. 10-11, Niigata, Niigata Prefecture

• Level and disciplines: Novice, junior, senior men & ladies

• Advance to: Eastern Sectionals

• Advancement quota: 13 junior ladies, 6 junior men, 6 senior ladies, 6 senior men

• Notable entries: Senior - Rinka Watanabe. Junior - Mone Chiba

• Broadcast: Fuji On Demand (live). Oct. 25 at 12:00 JST, Fuji TV NEXT

Novice National Championships

• Results & entries

• Schedule

• Time and place: Oct. 23-25, Maebashi, Gunma Prefecture

• Level and disciplines: Novice A & Novice B

• Broadcast: Fuji On Demand (live). Nov. 8 at 18:00 JST, Fuji TV NEXT

Western Sectionals

• Results & entries

• Schedule

• Time and place: Oct. 30 - Nov. 1, Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture

• Level and disciplines: Junior & senior men, ladies, ice dance

• Advance to: Nationals

• Advancement quota: 18 junior ladies, 12 junior men, 11 senior ladies, 12 senior men

• Notable entries: Senior - Mitsuki Sumoto, Keiji Tanaka, Kazuki Tomono, Ryuju Hino, Taichi Honda, Sota Yamamoto, Nana Araki, Miyabi Oba, Ayumi Kagotani, Rino Kasakake, Mana Kawabe, Kaori Sakamoto, Yuna Shiraiwa, Riko Takino, Hina Takeno, Rin Nitaya, Ayaka Hosoda, Rika Hongo, Yura Matsuda, Mai Mihara, Mako Yamashita, Yuhana Yokoi, Komatsubara/Koleto. Junior - Takeru Kataise, Yuto Kishina, Haruya Sasaki, Tatsuya Tsuboi, Lucas Tsuyoshi Honda (seed), Sena Miyake, Chisato Uramatsu, Maria Egawa, Sae Shimizu, Azusa Tanaka, Momoka Maeno, Rino Matsuike, Kinayu Yokoi, Hana Yoshida (seed), Yoshida/Nishiyama.

• Broadcast: Fuji On Demand (live). Nov. 14 at 13:00 JST, Fuji TV ONE

Eastern Sectionals

• Results & entries

• Schedule

• Time and place: Nov. 6-8, Kofu, Yamanashi Prefecture

• Level and disciplines: Junior & senior men & ladies

• Advance to: Nationals

• Advancement quota: 7 junior ladies, 13 junior men, 9 senior ladies, 9 senior men

• Notable entries: Senior - Yuma Kagiyama (seed), Shun Sato, Taichiro Yamakuma, Yuna Aoki, Tomoe Kawabata (seed), Ibuki Sato, Yuka Nagai, Wakaba Higuchi (seed), Marin Honda, Miyu Honda, Akari Matsubara, Shiika Yoshioka, Rinka Watanabe. Junior - Kao Miura, Rion Sumiyoshi, Mone Chiba

• Broadcast: Fuji On Demand (live). Nov. 21 at 13:00 JST, Fuji TV ONE

Junior National Championships

• Results & entries

• Schedule

• Time and place: Nov. 21-23, Hachinohe, Aomori Prefecture

• Level and disciplines: Junior men, ladies, ice dance

• Notable entries: Chisato Uramatsu, Maria Egawa, Rion Sumiyoshi, Azusa Tanaka, Mone Chiba, Rino Matsuike, Kinayu Yokoi, Hana Yoshida, Takeru Kataise, Yuto Kishina, Haruya Sasaki, Tatsuya Tsuboi, Lucas Tsuyoshi Honda, Sena Miyake, Kao Miura, Yoshida/Nishiyama

• Broadcast: Fuji On Demand (live). Dec. 6 at 17:30 JST, Fuji TV NEXT

Senior National Championships

• Results & entries

• Schedule

• Time and place: Dec. 24-27, Nagano, Nagano Prefecture

• Level and disciplines: Senior men, ladies, ice dance

• More info

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OTHER COMPETITIONS

The 93rd Collegiate Championships (Jan. 7-10) and 41st Junior High School Championships (Jan. 30 - Feb. 2) have been cancelled.

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70TH HIGH SCHOOL CHAMPIONSHIPS

The competition is eligible for high school students. Due to the number of entries, the ladies’ SP is split into 3 groups. The top 24 SP scores from all 3 groups combined will advance to the free skate.

Results & entries | Schedule

When: Jan. 21-24
Where: Nagano, Nagano Prefecture
Level & disciplines: Men & ladies

Schedule (UTC+9)

• 1/21: Ladies’ SP A 12:20

• 1/22: Ladies’ SP B 10:00; Men’s SP 15:00

• 1/23: Ladies’ SP C 10:00; Men’s FS 15:00

• 1/24: Ladies’ FS 09:20

Notable entries: Shun Sato, Yuma Kagiyama, Yuto Kishina, Lucas Tsuyoshi Honda, Rion Sumiyoshi (Grp A), Rino Matsuike (Grp A), Miyu Honda (Grp B), Kinayu Yokoi (Grp B), Rinka Watanabe (Grp C), Chisato Uramatsu (Grp C)

How to watch: Free livestream

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76TH NATIONAL WINTER SPORTS FESTIVAL

Skaters represent their prefecture in this competition.

Results & entries | Schedule

When: Jan. 27-30
Where: Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture
Level & disciplines: Junior & senior men, ladies

Schedule (UTC+9)

• 1/27: Jr Ladies’ SP 11:20; Jr Men’s SP 15:20

• 1/28: Jr Ladies’ FS 10:30; Jr Men’s FS 14:00; Sr Men’s SP 18:15

• 1/29: Sr Ladies’ SP 10:25; Sr Men’s FS 14:20

• 1/30: Sr Ladies’ FS 08:45

Notable entries: Senior - Ryuju Hino, Sota Yamamoto, Kazuki Tomono, Taichi Honda, Taichiro Yamakuma, Keiji Tanaka, Yuto Kishina, Wakaba Higuchi, Tomoe Kawabata, Yuna Aoki, Rin Nitaya, Yuhana Yokoi, Yuna Shiraiwa, Riko Takino, Kaori Sakamoto, Mai Mihara, Hina Takeno. Junior - Shun Sato, Yuma Kagiyama, Lucas Tsuyoshi Honda, Rinka Watanabe, Mone Chiba, Shiika Yoshioka, Rion Sumiyoshi, Chisato Uramatsu, Rino Matsuike, Mana Kawabe, Hana Yoshida, Moa Iwano

How to watch: Free livestreams: Day 1, Day 2, Day 3, Day 4

2018-19 Japanese National Qualifying Competitions + Other Domestic Events

For countries with a large number of skaters such as Japan, Russia, Canada and the USA, skaters usually qualify for their country’s national championships through a series of smaller regional competitions. Japanese qualifying competitions will take place from September to November. This post will explain the JSF’s qualifying structure and provide a list of other notable domestic competitions. Links to information and results will be updated throughout the season.

Reference: Japan Skating Federation

See also: 2018-19 National Figure Skating Competitions

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QUALIFYING STRUCTURE

Skaters qualify for the Japanese National Championships by competing at one of six regional (or “block”) championships and one of two sectional championships (Eastern and Western). Top finishers at regionals advance to sectionals, and top finishers at sectionals advance to nationals. The number of qualifying skaters in each discipline and competition is determined annually by the JSF.

Japan holds three separate national championships for three different levels: novice, junior, and senior. Levels are separated by age. There are two categories of novice, Novice A (older) and Novice B (younger). To qualify for Novice Nationals, skaters compete in the novice category at regional championships. Novice skaters perform only free skates and do not compete at sectionals. To qualify for Junior Nationals, skaters compete in the junior category at regionals and sectionals, and to qualify for Senior Nationals, skaters compete in the senior category at regionals and sectionals. Top finishers at Novice Nationals are invited to participate in Junior Nationals, and top finishers at Junior Nationals are invited to compete at Senior Nationals. Pair and ice dance teams do not compete at regionals, only sectionals.

Seeded skaters are chosen by the JSF to advance directly to Nationals without competing at qualifying competitions. Generally, medalists at the previous National Championships are seeded. Seeded skaters can still compete at regionals/sectionals if they want to, but they will not count towards the quota of skaters who advance. Skaters who would normally need to compete at regionals/sectionals may be exempt from doing so if they have an international competition during or within one week of their qualifying event.

Seeded skaters for the 2018 Japanese National Championships:

• Junior: Nana Araki, Mitsuki Sumoto, Sena Miyake, Tatsuya Tsuboi

• Senior: Satoko Miyahara, Kaori Sakamoto, Rika Kihira, Shoma Uno, Keiji Tanaka, Yuzuru Hanyu

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REGIONAL/SECTIONAL/NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS

Videos from regional and sectional championships are scarce, but Japanese TV will air news clips and sometimes a few performances from these events. The Junior and Senior National Championships are aired on TV by Fuji TV. Please keep an eye on our blog for more information on watching the National Championships.

Reference: JSF Results. Entries are subject to change.

Chu-Shikoku-Kyushu Regionals

• Results & entries

• Schedule

• Time and place: Sept. 21-24, Kita, Kagawa Prefecture

• Level and disciplines: Novice, junior, senior men & ladies

• Advance to: Western Sectionals

• Notable entries: Senior - Hina Takeno

Tohoku-Hokkaido Regionals

• Results & entries

• Schedule

• Time and place: Sept. 21-24, Sapporo, Hokkaido

• Level and disciplines: Novice, junior, senior men & ladies

• Advance to: Eastern Sectionals

• Exemptions: Senior - Hiroaki Sato

• Notable entries: Senior - Jun Suzuki. Junior - Rinka Watanabe

Kanto Regionals

• Results & entries

• Schedule

• Time and place: Sept. 27-30, Nikko, Tochigi Prefecture

• Level and disciplines: Novice, junior, senior men & ladies

• Advance to: Eastern Sectionals

• Exemptions: Junior - Shiika Yoshioka

• Notable entries: Junior - Yuma Kagiyama, Shun Sato, Yuna Aoki

Chubu Regionals

• Results & entries

• Schedule

• Time and place: Sept. 28-30, Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture

• Level and disciplines: Novice, junior, senior men & ladies

• Advance to: Western Sectionals

• Exemptions: Senior - Rin Nitaya, Yura Matsuda, Rika Hongo, Sota Yamamoto, Ryuju Hino

• Notable entries: Senior - Sui Takeuchi, Mako Yamashita, Miyabi Oba, Hinano Isobe. Junior - Tatsuya Tsuboi, Yuhana Yokoi, Kinayu Yokoi, Rino Kasakake. Novice A - Shunsuke Nakamura

Kinki Regionals

• Results & entries

• Schedule

• Time and place: Oct. 5-8, Amagasaki, Hyogo Prefecture

• Level and disciplines: Novice, junior, senior men & ladies

• Advance to: Western Sectionals

• Exemptions: Senior - Mai Mihara

• Notable entries: Senior - Kazuki Tomono, Shu Nakamura, Taichi Honda, Daisuke Takahashi, Yuna Shiraiwa. Junior - Mitsuki Sumoto, Miyu Honda, Riko Takino, Moa Iwano, Mana Kawabe. Novice A - Sara Honda

• Broadcast: Oct. 8 at 11:45-15:45 JST, Fuji ONE (live)

Tokyo Regionals

• Results & entries

• Schedule

• Time and place: Oct. 5-8, Tokyo

• Level and disciplines: Novice, junior, senior men & ladies

• Advance to: Eastern Sectionals

• Exemptions: Senior - Marin Honda. Junior - Rion Sumiyoshi, Tomoe Kawabata, Koshiro Shimada

• Notable entries: Senior - Wakaba Higuchi, Akari Matsubara

Novice National Championships

• Results & entries

• Schedule

• Time and place: Oct. 19-21, Takaishi, Osaka Prefecture

• Level and disciplines: Novice A & Novice B men & ladies, novice ice dance

Eastern Sectionals

• Results & entries

• Schedule

• Time and place: Oct. 25-28, Hachinohe, Aomori Prefecture

• Level and disciplines: Junior & senior men & ladies, junior pairs

• Advance to: Nationals

• Exemptions: Marin Honda, Wakaba Higuchi, Miu Suzaki/Ryuichi Kihara

• Notable entries: Senior - Hiroaki Sato, Akari Matsubara. Junior - Yuma Kagiyama, Shun Sato, Koshiro Shimada, Yuna Aoki, Tomoe Kawabata, Rion Sumiyoshi, Shiika Yoshioka

Western Sectionals

• Results & entries

• Schedule

• Time and place: Nov. 1-4, Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture

• Level and disciplines: Junior & senior men, ladies, ice dance

• Advance to: Nationals

• Exemptions: Yura Matsuda, Mako Yamashita, Rika Hongo, Yuna Shiraiwa, Mai Mihara, Kazuki Tomono, Sota Yamamoto, Misato Komatsubara/Tim Koleto

• Notable entries: Senior - Daisuke Takahashi, Shu Nakamura, Ryuju Hino, Taichi Honda, Hinano Isobe, Miyabi Oba, Rika Kihira, Sui Takeuchi, Rin Nitaya. Junior - Yuto Kishina, Haruya Sasaki, Mitsuki Sumoto, Tatsuya Tsuboi, Sena Miyake, Nana Araki, Moa Iwano, Rino Kasakake, Mana Kawabe, Riko Takino, Miyu Honda, Kinayu Yokoi, Yuhana Yokoi

• Broadcast: Nov. 4 at 15:30-21:00 JST, Fuji TWO (live)

Junior National Championships

• Results & entries

• Schedule

• Time and place: Nov. 23-25, Fukuoka, Fukuoka Prefecture

• Level and disciplines: Junior men, ladies, pairs, ice dance

Senior National Championships

• Results & entries

• Schedule

• Time and place: Dec. 20-24, Kadoma, Osaka Prefecture

• Level and disciplines: Senior men, ladies, pairs, ice dance

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OTHER COMPETITIONS

These competitions are not related to the National Championships or its qualifying events.

91st Intercollegiate Championships

• Results & entries

• Time and place: Jan. 4-7, Nikko, Tochigi Prefecture

• Level and disciplines: Men & ladies

• Notable entries: Shu Nakamura, Kazuki Tomono, Taichi Honda, Mai Mihara, Hina Takeno, Rin Nitaya

• Note: For skaters enrolled at university.

68th Inter-High School Championships

• Results & entries

• Time and place: Jan. 24-27, Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture

• Level and disciplines: Men & ladies

• Notable entries: Taichiro Yamakuma, Yuto Kishina, Mitsuki Sumoto, Tatsuya Tsuboi, Sena Miyake, Kaori Sakamoto, Yuhana Yokoi, Yuna Shiraiwa, Mako Yamashita, Nana Araki, Yuna Aoki, Akari Matsubara, Rinka Watanabe, Sui Takeuchi

• Note: For skaters enrolled in high school.

74th National Winter Sports Festival

• Results & entries

• Time and place: Jan. 29 - Feb. 2, Kushiro, Hokkaido

• Level and disciplines: Junior & senior men & ladies

• Notable entries: TBA

• Note: Skaters represent their prefecture.

39th Inter-Junior High School Championships

• Results & entries

• Time and place: Feb. 1-5, Nagano

• Level and disciplines: Men & ladies

• Notable entries: TBA

• Note: For skaters enrolled in junior high (middle) school.