Ice hockey in Japan

Ice hockey in Japan
Exhibition game Amur Khabarovsk vs. Japanese national team on August 23, 2012. Face-off at the beginning of the game. Amur forwards Juha-Pekka Hytönen (at right) and Jakub Petružálek.
CountryJapan
Governing bodyJapan Ice Hockey Federation
National team(s)Men's national team;
Women's national team
National competitions
International competitions

Ice hockey remains a relatively minor sport in Japan but has been gradually gaining traction in recent years. While baseball and football (soccer) have long dominated the country's sports scene, ice hockey has maintained a more modest presence since its introduction in the 1920s. The sport is overseen by the Japan Ice Hockey Federation.