Soccer-Kano named Japan women's team coach on permanent basis


Apr 11, 2026; San Jose, California, USA; Japan interim head coach Michihisa Kano walks on the pitch before the game against the United States at PayPal Park. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images

May 15 (Reuters) - ⁠Michihisa Kano has been named the ⁠Japan women's team coach on ‌a permanent basis after acting as caretaker boss following the departure of Nils Nielsen ​in March, the country's ⁠football association (JFA) said.

Dane ⁠Nielsen stepped down as head coach less ⁠than ‌two weeks after guiding Japan to the Women's Asian ⁠Cup title, with Kano taking charge ​for ‌a three-match friendly tour of the ⁠United States ​last month, where they won once and suffered two defeats.

"We will ⁠do our utmost to showcase ​a 'Nadeshiko' Japan team that plays with aggression, toughness and vigour in both ⁠attack and defense," Kano said in a JFA statement on Thursday.

World Cup winners in 2011, Japan booked their ​spot at the ⁠2027 edition of the tournament in ​Brazil after reaching the ‌semi-finals of the Asian ​Cup.

(Reporting by Aadi Nair in Bengaluru; Editing by Peter Rutherford)

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