The 16-player collegiate roster of the U.S. Women’s National Team (WNT) has landed in Iwakuni, Japan, to compete in the highly anticipated 2023 Japan All-Star Series. The event is scheduled from August 4-7, with games set in three cities across Japan.
This annual series represents a significant event in both Japan and the U.S., as it showcases the best global talent in women’s softball. It also serves as a platform to further the shared goals of the two countries in growing and developing the game at the highest level.
Ranking as the world’s No. 1 and No. 2, Team USA and Team Japan will face off in a three-game series at three prominent venues that played key roles in the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.
The first game will take place at Kizuma Stadium in Iwakuni, known as the host for the WNT pre-Olympic training. This will be followed by the second game at Azuma Stadium in Fukushima and the third at Yokohama Stadium in Yokohama. Both of these venues served as host sites during the Tokyo Olympic Games.
Thanks to the hospitality and dedicated efforts of the Japan All-Star Series Organizing Staff, Team USA will also have the opportunity to participate in a series of training sessions prior to the event while immersing themselves in the unique culture and traditions of the three Japanese host cities.
The series will kick off on Friday, August 4 at 7 p.m. JST (5 a.m. CT) in Iwakuni, Japan. The second game will be on Sunday, August 6 at 2 p.m. JST (12 a.m. CT) in Fukushima, Japan. The final match of the series will be on Monday, August 7 at 7 p.m. JST (5 a.m. CT) in Yokohama, Japan.
The Japan All-Star Series has enjoyed increasing popularity since its inception in 2016, when over 31,000 fans filled the Tokyo Dome. The 2017 series attracted 15,000 spectators at Yokohama Stadium, and last year’s three-day event, held at Azuma Stadium and Yokohama Stadium, drew more than 17,000 fans. The event was celebrated as a one-year commemoration of the Tokyo Olympic Games.
Having experienced a narrow 1-2 series defeat to Team Japan at the 2022 Japan All-Star Series, the U.S. WNT is looking to better their performance in this year’s games. The upcoming matches promise to deliver an exciting and competitive display of international softball at its best.
