The Japan Lifesaving Association (JLA, Minato City, Tokyo; President: Takuya Iritani) has announced the selection of the Japanese national team, 'Lifesaving Japan,' for the Lifesaving World Championships 2026 (LWC2026), to be held in Port Elizabeth, South Africa, from Friday, November 27 to Wednesday, December 9, 2026. The announcement was made on July 3.

LWC2026 is the pinnacle of international lifesaving sports competitions. A total of 24 athletes—12 open and 12 youth Japanese national team members—have been selected through domestic qualifying races.

Open Japanese National Team

Women Athletes

Natsu ISHIGURO (Shimoda Lifesaving Club) – Captain

Nana TAKATSU (Nishihama Surf Lifesaving Club)

Sara TAZAKI (BMD Northcliffe SLSC)

Saaya NASUKAWA (Chigasaki Surf Lifesaving Club)

Sara HAMAJI (Nishihama Surf Lifesaving Club)

Yumi MASAKI (Oiso Lifesaving Club)

Men Athletes

Shogo NIKKAWA (Nishihama Surf Lifesaving Club) – Captain

Kodai AIZAWA (Nishihama Surf Lifesaving Club / Shimoda Lifesaving Club)

Shun NISHIYAMA (Chigasaki Surf Lifesaving Club)

Ryunosuke HANDA (Kujukuri Lifesaving Club)

Meguru HOTTA (Kujukuri Lifesaving Club)

Kenichi WADA (Awaji Island Lifesaving Club)

Youth Japanese National Team

Women Athletes

Karen HASHIMOTO (Nippon Sport Science University Ehara High School Lifesaving Club) – Captain

Mana UTSUDA (Nishihama Surf Lifesaving Club)

Shiori KAWABATA (KITAJIMAQUATICS)

Rui TAKADA (Shonan GoldenAge Academy)

Konatsu TSUKANE (Shonan GoldenAge Academy)

Kio YANAGI (Nippon Sport Science University Ehara High School Lifesaving Club)

Men Athletes

Risei TAKADA (Nishihama Surf Lifesaving Club) – Captain

Kaito OKAYASU (CLIFTON SLSC)

Ryoma KATAGIRI (Nippon Sport Science University Ehara High School Lifesaving Club)

Sou KOMATSU (Tateyama Surf Lifesaving Club)

Natsu TAKADA (Nippon Sport Science University Ehara High School Lifesaving Club)

Kai HAMAJI (Nishihama Surf Lifesaving Club)

The Lifesaving Japan National Team Program is supported by sponsorship from Sanyo Bussan Co., Ltd. and Sanyo Hanbai Co., Ltd.

A Sport to Save (Protect) Lives

Lifesaving sports were born in Australia in 1908 (Meiji 41), with the sole purpose of “wanting to save those who are drowning.” In lifesaving sports, precision is valued as much as speed. The combination of speed and accuracy creates a sport dedicated to offering infinite reassurance to those in distress and hope for the survival of lives in despair. Rooted in humanitarianism, the true essence of this sport transcends victory and defeat—it is a sport that saves (protects) lives, embodying the philosophy that “the person present here and now will save and protect.” Thus, lifesaving sports are not only an end in themselves but also serve the humanitarian purpose of saving human lives, which is one of its core significances. Since lifesaving sports aim to maintain and enhance rescue techniques and physical fitness for rescue operations, the events are based on simulations of actual rescue activities.

Japan Lifesaving Association (JLA)

The Japan Lifesaving Association is a public interest incorporated foundation dedicated to promoting and developing lifesaving activities—including environmental conservation, safety instruction, surveillance, and rescue operations—at water sites across Japan, such as beaches and swimming pools, contributing to the safe and comfortable use of water environments by the public.

JLA: https://jla-lifesaving.or.jp/

e-lifesaving (Water Safety Learning Platform): https://elearning.jla-lifesaving.or.jp/

Water Safety App: https://ls.jla-lifesaving.or.jp/accident-prevention/mimamori-system/

FACT BOX

  • Source: PR TIMES
  • Category: Event