Under-19 Japanese outfit with High Commissioner in Colombo
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Voice of Asia Network Founder/Adviser Priyantha Kariyapperuma
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The relationship between Sri Lanka and Japan extends well beyond sports. The two nations established diplomatic relations in April 1952, and over the decades have built strong links in development, education, culture, trade and people-to-people exchanges. Cricket is now emerging as a new and increasingly important bridge between the two countries.
While baseball has traditionally dominated Japan’s sporting landscape, cricket has steadily developed through the work of the Japan Cricket Association (JCA), which was established in 1984 and became an ICC member in 1995. Today, Japan has a growing network of senior, university and junior teams, with the JCA reporting around 5,000 players and approximately 15,000 annual participants. Its development strategy places particular emphasis on junior cricket, women’s cricket and expanding the game into new communities.
A major milestone in Japan–Sri Lanka cricket relations came in March 2024, when Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) and the JCA headed by its CEO, Naoki Alex Miyaji signed a Memorandum of Understanding aimed at strengthening cooperation. The partnership provides a framework for collaboration, exchanges and the sharing of Sri Lankan expertise to assist Japanese cricket development. The relationship has subsequently developed into practical exchanges involving players, coaches and ground staff.
The partnership moved to another level in 2025 when Japan’s national team travelled to Sri Lanka for an important preparation tour. SLC arranged seven T20 practice matches against four Sri Lankan Under-19 teams, giving Japanese players valuable exposure to a country with a long-established cricket culture. The Japanese Embassy in Colombo described the visit as the beginning of a new era of “cricket diplomacy”, recognising sport as another vehicle for strengthening bilateral relations.
The exchanges have continued into 2026. Japan’s Under-19 National Academy toured Sri Lanka in August, playing five matches against Colombo-based representative sides and Western Province, winning three games. The JCA described the tour as part of the continuing partnership between the two national federations.
The importance of this relationship becomes even greater with the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games 2026. Cricket will be played in Japan from 24 September to 3 October providing an unprecedented opportunity to show the sport before a Japanese home audience. Japan will compete alongside major Asian cricket nations, while Sri Lanka is among the leading teams entering the men’s competition. Japan’s own squad has been drawn alongside Afghanistan and Nepal, with Sri Lanka among the teams awaiting the knockout stage.
The Asian Games are also part of a much bigger international cricket story. Japan will host major international cricket activity in September, including the historic India–Japan T20 International at Sano on 22 September, a match linked to the 75th anniversary of India–Japan diplomatic relations. Such fixtures can give Japanese cricket unprecedented visibility across Asia.
The timing could hardly be better. Cricket is returning to the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games, with six-team men’s and women’s T20 competitions. The Olympic return gives countries such as Japan an opportunity to use the global platform to introduce cricket to new audiences and accelerate grassroots.
Over the decades, Japan has extended its support to Sri Lanka through landmark projects including the introduction of colour television, the Sri Jayewardenepura General Hospital, the new Parliament complex and the airport terminal. Today, Sri Lanka is returning that goodwill by helping develop cricket in Japan.
One of the major achievements has been the transformation of a baseball ground into a cricket venue under the guidance of Pallekele International Cricket Stadium curator Asitha Wijesinghe. The upgraded facilities have provided Japan with improved infrastructure to nurture young cricketers.
Sri Lanka has also been sending coaches and officials to Japan on a regular basis, while annual exchange programs have further strengthened ties between the two cricketing nations. Former Royal College cricketer, Voice of Asia Network Founder/Adviser Priyantha Kariyapperuma has played a key role as the Goodwill Ambassador for Cricket Development in Japan and Special Adviser to the Japan Cricket Association, helping bridge the partnership between the two countries.
Japan’s rapid progress is evident with its participation in the ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup and its growing competitiveness among Asia’s leading cricketing nations. With both the men’s and women’s teams competing during the Asian Games in Japan, the partnership between SLC and JCA continues to produce encouraging results for the future of cricket in the region.
For Sri Lanka, this represents more than simply another cricketing partnership. Sri Lankan coaches, players, administrators and technical experts can contribute significantly to Japan’s development, while Japanese organisation, technology, discipline and infrastructure can provide valuable lessons for Sri Lankan cricket.
The future of Japan–Sri Lanka cricket therefore looks increasingly promising: from diplomatic friendship to cricket diplomacy, from player exchanges to the Asian Games, and ultimately towards an Olympic era in which cricket can become a truly global sport.
