Japanese Figure Skating 2016/17 season news, national team, updates

[Sylvia]

Re-posting @NMURA's translation of the 2016-17 national team names in this new thread:

2016-2017 Japanese Team announced!
http://www.skatingjapan.or.jp/image_data/fck/file/2016/H28FS160427.pdf

The main surprise (maybe not) is Marin [Honda] in the "Special" team. They are making an exeption for her accomplishment at JW.

Team "Special"
Men - Yuzuru Hanyu [S1], Shoma Uno [S2], Takahito Mura [S3]
Ladies - Satoko Miyahara [S1], Wakaba Higuchi [S2/J1/JW3], Mao Asada [S3], Rika Hongo [S4], Marin Honda [S9/J6/JGPF3/JW1]
Ice Dance - Kana Muramoto/Chris Reed [S1]

Team A
Men - Keiji Tanaka [S4], Sota Yamamoto [S6/J1/JGPF3/YOG1], Daisuke Murakami [S7], Ryuju Hino [S8], Kazuki Tomono [S16/J2/JW15], Daichi Miyata [S10/J3/JW18]
Ladies - Yuna Shiraiwa [S5/J2/JGPF5/YOG4/JW4], Kanako Murakami [S6], Yuka Nagai [S7], Rin Nitaya [S8/J4], Yuhana Yokoi [S11/J3]
Pairs - Sumire Suto/Francis Boudreau-Audet [S1]
Ice Dance - Emi Hirai/Marien de la Asuncion [S2]

Team B
Men - Shu Nakamura [S9/J5/JW12], Koshiro Shimada [S11/J4/YOG6], Mitsuki Sumoto [S14/J6], Sei Kawahara [S12], Taichiro Yamakuma [J7], Hidetsugu Kamata [J8]
Ladies - Mariko Kihara [S10], Yura Matsuda [S12], Kaori Sakamoto [S13/J5/YOG6], Yuna Aoki [S16/J7], Mai Mihara [J8/JGPF6]
Pairs - Marin Ono/Wesley Killing [S2], Miu Suzaki/Ryuichi Kihara [S3]
Ice Dance - Rikako Fukase/Aru Tateno [J1/JW19]

(I've added 2015-16 Senior/Junior Nationals, JGP Final, Youth Olympic Games & Jr. Worlds placements in brackets.)

GS article by T. Flade titled Marin Honda sets goal for 2016-17 (April 9, 2016): http://www.goldenskate.com/2016/04/marin-honda/
Excerpt:

For Honda, the next season already has already begun. Shortly after Junior Worlds, Jeffrey Buttle, who came for a show to Japan, choreographed a new long program for her to “Romeo and Juliet.”
“She picked the music herself,” Hamada offered.
For the short program, the skater will go to Detroit to work with Marina Zueva.
Honda will not be age-eligible for the international senior circuit as she will only turn 15 in August. Nevertheless, she wants to add more technical difficulty to her program.
“I want to do a triple Lutz-triple toe in my short program in the second half”, she announced.

 

[Sylvia]

Dreams on Ice (annual show for national team members & invited skaters) will take place in Nagaoka, July 1-3, 2016: http://www.onice.jp

Men: Mura, Tanaka, Nakamura, Tomono, Miyata, Shimada; Shun Sato (Novice A champ)
Ladies: Miyahara, Hongo, Honda, Higuchi, Yokoi, Sakamoto; Rika Kihira (Novice A champ)
Pairs: Suto/Boudreau Audet
Dance: Muramoto/Reed
Synchro: Jingu Ice Messengers Grace
Special Guest: Evgenia Medvedeva

 

[Sylvia]

In this short interview clip tweeted by Golden Skate on 4/24 at Team Challenge Cup, Rika Hongo revealed her choreographers for her 2016-17 programs will be Shae-Lynn Bourne (SP) and Akiko Suzuki (FS). Can someone confirm that Hongo mentioned at the Prince Ice World show yesterday that her SP music will be Carmina Burana? I believe this is a Japanese fan's tweet about it: https://twitter.com/mamefuji222/status/727724461034713090

PIW shows are April 30-May 5, 2016: http://www.princehotels.co.jp/iceshow/

ETA from Higuchi's fan thread today:

Wakaba [Higuchi] is skating in Prince Ice World. It is the show where fans can talk a bit with skaters at the rink. This is a hearsay but her SP is by Bourne and LP is by Scali. Her SP's music is calm, and she's a princess or a queen in her new LP. Hmmmmmm.....

 

[rosewood]

In this short interview clip tweeted by Golden Skate on 4/24 at Team Challenge Cup, Rika Hongo revealed her choreographers for her 2016-17 programs will be Shae-Lynn Bourne (SP) and Akiko Suzuki (FS). Can someone confirm that Hongo mentioned at the Prince Ice World show yesterday that her SP music will be Carmina Burana? I believe this is a Japanese fan's tweet about it: https://twitter.com/mamefuji222/status/727724461034713090

PIW shows are April 30-May 5, 2016: http://www.princehotels.co.jp/iceshow/

ETA from Higuchi's fan thread today:

Yeah, I also heard Rika said during PIW that her SP is Carmina Burana by Bourne. No confirmation yet.

Today it's confirmed on TV that Marin's new SP is "Smile."
https://twitter.com/Sachi0901Sachi/status/727975062922350593

It's already known but Marin's LP is R&J.

ETA:
When a fan asked about a new program in PIW, Mura answered "[My new LP is] Mao's." I guess it'll be Rach2 or MB.

 

[Spun Silver]

It sounds schizophrenic, but I guess Marin is taking a leaf from Mao. Good luck to Rika with Carmina Burana. I hate that music beyond any, and think it should only be skated by men!

 

[rosewood]

Shoma skated his new EX in PIW. It's Charlie Puth's "See you again." You can see a glimpse of it here. He did a new variation of cantilever (from 0:33).
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x48jig2_0504-piw-ショーに密着_tv

In PIW Machida skated his new exhibition program to Japanese top idol in 80's Seiko Matsuda's "Anata ni aitakute -Missing you" which was published in 1996. I don't know how he got the idea since he is waaay too young to adore Seiko-chan. People called Machida's hair-do as Hamill cut but I guess it was Seiko-chan cut. Here is a link to a video you can see a glimpse of the new exhibition.
5:20- http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x48njzz_2016-0504-piw-真凜密着_sport

 

[Sylvia]

Today it's confirmed on TV that Marin's new SP is "Smile."
https://twitter.com/Sachi0901Sachi/status/727975062922350593

It's already known but Marin's LP is R&J.

Thanks! Great to see you posting lots of info/links in the JPN news threads again. Since we don't yet know which "Romeo & Juliet" Jeff Buttle choreographed for Marina Honda, please let us know if/when it is made public.

 

[Ilvskating]

Spotted Mao in the middle of choreography, looked like step sequence. She looks good, and really hard working

 

[Sylvia]

Here's Zijun Li's cute photo with Mao Asada of #TeamLori (Nichol): https://www.instagram.com/p/BE-HseizX4F/

ETA that Zijun Li also posted Asada photos on her weibo (one is the same photo as linked above) around April 27 -- refer to the Mao cheer thread.

A smiling photo of the two of them at the rink, posted today: https://www.instagram.com/p/BFCzYuZzX5Z/

 

[rosewood]

Spotted Mao in the middle of choreography, looked like step sequence. She looks good, and really hard working

Thanx.

Here's Zijun Li's cute photo with Mao Asada of #TeamLori (Nichol): https://www.instagram.com/p/BE-HseizX4F/

ETA that Zijun Li also posted Asada photos on her weibo (one is the same photo as linked above) around April 27 -- refer to the Mao cheer thread.

A smiling photo of the two of them at the rink, posted today: https://www.instagram.com/p/BFCzYuZzX5Z/

AwwwwCuties
I love so much how people call Mao in Chinese; 猫酱=Mao-chan So cute! 小猫(little kitten) is now one of the oldest ladies in senior field. I feel I'm old. haha

Mr Sato's home rink Shinyokohama SKate Center where Mao usually trains is under ongoing renovation. It will take 3 month and a half or so (it will finish in the middle of August). I guess Mao stays in Canada longer than usual this year. I'm jealous of people who can watch Mao choreographs/trains at a rink in Toronto.

ETA:
Mao's next event in Japan scheduled so far is a skating lesson for kids. It will take place on May 15th.
https://www.kyodo-west.co.jp/tqs/?eid=577

 

[rosewood]

Calendar:
Japanese-skaters-related shows & show-ish events between 2016 Worlds and first event of 2016-2017 Sr GP circuit.

SOI Japan tour, April 9-10 12-13 15-17, FSU thread in GSD

Ice Legends, April 22 in Geneva, Mao & Daisuke, FSU thread in GSD

Team Challenge Cup, April 22-24 in Spokane, Team Asia skaters, FSU threads in K&C

Prince Ice World tour, April 30-May 1 in Yokohama, May 14-15 in Hachinohe, website

Fantasy on Ice tour, May 27-29 in Makuhari, June 3-5 in Sapporo, FSU thread in GSD

Prince Ice World tour, June 11-12 in Oita, website is the same as the one posted above

Fantasy on Ice tour, June 17-19 in Kobe, June 24-26 in Nagano, FSU thread is the same as the one posted above

Dreams on Ice (Team Japan skaters skate new competition or exhibition programs here), July 1-3 in Niigata, website & Sylvia's post earlier on this thread

Prince Ice World tour, July 15-18 in Tokyo, website is the same as the one posted above

The Ice tour, July 30-31 in Osaka, August 5-7 in Nagoya, August 10-11 in Kitakyushu, FSU thread in GSD

Friends on Ice, August 26-28 in Shinyokohama, website

Japan Open, October 1 in Saitama, gala show (Carnival on Ice) October 2 in Saitama, website
_________
*Around the beginning of August annual national summer camp for Sr Team Japan skaters will be held as well as annual scouting camp for Jr/novice skaters will be held a couple of weeks ahead. (Schedules are not announced yet.)

 

[Spun Silver]

The Japanese do NOT have a painful off-season! *envy*

 

[rosewood]

The Japanese do NOT have a painful off-season! *envy*

I don't understand when people say off-season is boring. It's the time for a core FS fan to get excited to see new programs in shows -new competitive programs from Jr skaters & new exhibition programs from Sr skaters in earlier shows, and new competitive programs from Sr skaters in later shows.

 

[Spun Silver]

Nice work if you can get it!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G_-ctuv3qYA

 

[rosewood]

I'm sure you'll be jealous of the people who saw Midori's 2A today, @Spun Silver.

Midori was one of the athletes who did a talk show during a gorgeous cruise. She did demonstrations as well as a skating lesson in a rink on the ship. Since she doesn't skate in shows any more, people who saw her skate/jump were so lucky.

She did the talk show together with Miki Sakagami who works as one of show choreographers/directors for THE ICE every year. Chukyo TV who is one of the organizers of THE ICE tweeted about the cruise today. Their crew were on the ship for the event. I wonder if our dream might come true that we can see Midori skates with Mao this year. <--Possibly my delusion, though.

 

[Spun Silver]

Sheesh, you're killing me, @rosewood.

 

[rosewood]

From Prince Ice World:
Tatsuki Machida's new program "Anatani aitakute"
Shoma Uno's new EX "See you again"
Takahito Mura "Writing's on the wall"
Kanako Murakami "Seven Nation Army"
Akiko Suzuki "Love Dance"
Shizuka Arakawa "One World"

ETA:
Opening
Nobunari Oda "Lay me down"
Finale (Marin landed 3Lz-3Lo, URed tho)
Backstage shot of Machida & Marin

 

[Doubletoe]

Meanwhile, Daisuke Murakami is landing quad flips now, but not with much consistency yet. The first one I saw today (which I just assumed was going to be a 3F+3T when he took off) was landed, but when he did some more about an hour and a half later, he fell on every one. They were rotated, but he just couldn't get his body over the right part of the blade and check out to hold the landing. A small Japanese camera crew was there to capture them.

 

[Pattina]

New Ice Dance pair for Japan Misato Komatsubara / Tim Koleto as reported by Tim

https://twitter.com/Timkoleto/status/732123193482301440?lang=it

Apparently coaches are Barbara Fusar-Poli (former coach of Misato when she skated for Italy with Andrea Fabbri) and Stefano Caruso.

 

[clairecloutier]

New Ice Dance pair for Japan Misato Komatsubara / Tim Koleto as reported by Tim

https://twitter.com/Timkoleto/status/732123193482301440?lang=it

Apparently coaches are Barbara Fusar-Poli (former coach of Misato when she skated for Italy with Andrea Fabbri) and Stefano Caruso.

Let's hope this lasts longer than Tim's last few partnerships ...

 

[Sylvia]

New Ice Dance pair for Japan Misato Komatsubara / Tim Koleto as reported by Tim

I wish them both a successful partnership in Italy.

 

[rosewood]

Annual scouting camp's (so called Nobeyama camp's) schedule:
July 15-18 Novice B (in Nobeyama), July 19-22 Novice A (in Nobeyama), July 27-30 Juniors (at Chukyo Uni's rink which is the national training center)
http://skatingjapan.or.jp/image_data/fck/file/2016_Figure/Nobeyama/2016Announcement0513.pdf

Local competition page is updated
http://www.jsfresults.com/local/2015-2016/fs/index.htm

 

[midori]

https://twitter.com/mainichi_haga/status/732824549725765632
New pair team was announced: Narumi Takahashi / Ryo Shibata
Ryo was a single skater and once retired in 2010. Reported they are training in Chicago.

 

[Sylvia]

New pair team was announced: Narumi Takahashi / Ryo Shibata
Ryo was a single skater and once retired in 2010. Reported they are training in Chicago.

Narumi Takahashi has confirmed her new partner today in her blog with a photo: http://ameblo.jp/narumi-pair-skating/entry-12161775688.html

 

[zebraswan]

Has it ever happened before that someone came out of retirement after such a long break and in a different discipline? I always liked Ryo & would be glad to see him again, but I'm afraid I'll have to cover my eyes when they compete, if they even get that far.

 

[feraina]

Shibata is 29 and only 5'7?? Has he even done pairs before?
So their main goal is probably to go to the Olympics in 2018? Besides Suzaki & Kihara, are there other pairs eligible to compete for Japan in the Olympics? It'll be interesting to see the one spot coming down to Takahashi and Kihara.

 

[rosewood]

Maybe Riku MIURA / Shoya ICHIHASHI are age eligible for 2018 Olys? At least I'm sure Ichihashi is senior age eligible already.

This is an interview with Ichihashi.
http://www.jsports.co.jp/press/article/N2015091415135906.html
http://www.jsports.co.jp/press/article/N2015091416330006.html
In his twitter profile he says he aims at making an Olympic team.
https://twitter.com/bestshoya?lang=ja

I wonder if the race for 2018 Olympics will be between Kihara and Ichihashi. Sorry to say this but I think it's difficult for Shibata to make an Oly team since this is a start line for him to skate as a pairs skater. He must need more time to win over Kihara and/or Ichihashi.

 

[sammyf]

Ami Koga/Spencer Howe both have Japanese citizenship as well. Has Spencer been released to skate for Japan? If so we could see them on the JGP as they both have two years as juniors left.

 

[Marco]

How is Japan looking for the Olympic team event in 2018? IIRC at 2016 Worlds their only dance team placed rather low and their only pairs team didn't make the free.

 

[rosewood]

Olys team event doesn't do any favor for Japanese singles skaters! Team event for taking place AFTER individual events!

On a TV program named Dodesuka it's reported Rika Hongo's FS is Lawrence of Arabia.