The Japan Ice Hockey Federation (JIHF) has officially announced a new coaching structure for the Women’s National Ice Hockey Team. The appointment of Tomohito Okubo as Head Coach, supported by Hanae Kubo and Jun Hanzawa as coaches, marks the beginning of a strategic mission to strengthen the team ahead of the 2030 Winter Olympics.
A New Era of Coaching
The incoming staff brings a wealth of experience, both as former elite players and accomplished coaches.
Tomohito Okubo (Head Coach): A veteran of the Japanese hockey scene, Okubo played for prestigious clubs including Seibu Railway, Nikko Ice Bucks, and Tohoku Free Blades. Since retiring in 2013, he has built a robust coaching resume, including leadership roles with the Tohoku Free Blades, the SEIBU Princess Rabbits, and various positions with the Men’s National Team and the Men’s U18 National Team.
Hanae Kubo (Coach): A legendary figure in Japanese women’s hockey, Kubo competed in three consecutive Winter Olympics (Sochi, PyeongChang, and Beijing) representing Japan. Since retiring in 2022, she has focused on youth development and has served as a coach for the Women’s U18 National Team since 2024.
Jun Hanzawa (Coach): With a playing career spanning Seibu Railway and Nikko Ice Bucks, Hanzawa has spent the last two decades dedicated to developing local talent in Hokkaido, particularly with the Shimizu Mikage programs and the Men’s U18 National Team, where he has coached since 2016.
Looking Toward the Future
This new leadership team is tasked with building a competitive squad that can perform on the world stage. The team’s journey under the new staff begins this June with domestic training camps.
The focus will be on two major upcoming milestones:
The Women’s Asia Championship: Scheduled to be held in Japan this October.
The IIHF Women’s World Championship: Scheduled for November in Denmark.
The JIHF emphasized that this transition is a key component of their long-term project to cultivate a team capable of achieving success at the 2030 Winter Olympic Games. Fans and supporters are eager to see how this blend of deep tactical experience and seasoned veteran leadership will shape the future of the national program.
