Japanese figure skating 2017-18 season news & updates

[Sylvia]

Japan Skating Federation (JSF) updated their national team document on June 23: http://www.skatingjapan.or.jp/image_data/fck/file/2017/H29FS170623.pdf
(This replaces the original team document link that @rosewood posted back on April 27, 2017.)
Team Bios are linked from here: http://www.skatingjapan.or.jp/national/national_list.php?sports_id=2

JPN Nationals (Novice in Oct. 2016/Junior in Nov. 2016/Senior in Dec. 2016) and 2017 Junior Worlds placements are added below:

Special
Men (4): Yuzuru Hanyu, Shoma Uno S1, Keiji Tanaka S2, Takahito Mura S3
Ladies (6): Satoko Miyahara S1, Wakaba Higuchi S2, Mai Mihara S3, Rika Hongo S5, Marin Honda J3/S4/JW2, Kaori Sakamoto J1/S7/JW3
A
Men (7): Ryuju Hino S4, Kazuki Tomono J1/S5/JW9, Shu Nakamura S6, Koshiro Shimada J2/S7/JW14, Hiroaki Sato S8, Mitsuki Sumoto J3/S13, Daisuke Murakami (could not compete at Nationals due to injury; moved from B to A after being given his NHK Trophy assignment)
Lady: Yuna Shiraiwa J2/S6/JW5
B
Men (8): Sena Miyake J6/S9, Tatsuya Tsuboi J5/S10, Sei Kawahara S11, Taichi Honda S12, Yuto Kishina J4/S16, Kazuki Hasegawa J7, Taichiro Yamakuma J8, Sota Yamamoto (he could not compete at Nationals due to injury)
Ladies (12): Saya Suzuki J5/S9, Yura Matsuda S10, Rin Nitaya S11, Rino Kasakake J4/S22, Rika Takino J6/S14, Akari Matsubara J7, Yuhana Yokoi J8, Rika Kihira J11 (ISU SB 18 but too young for ISU Senior); added: Akari Matsuoka N3/J12, Moa Iwano N2/J15, Mako Yamashita J16 (won 2 JGP bronze medals last fall), Nana Araki (Western Sectional J25)

Ice Dance Special
Kana Muramoto/Chris Reed S1
Ice Dance A (none)
Emi Hirai/Marien De La Asuncion S2 (removed after they announced their retirement )
Ice Dance B
Misato Komatsubara/Timothy Koleto S3, Rikako Fukase/Aru Tateno J1/JW13, Utana Yoshida/Takumi Sugiyama N1

Pairs A
Sumire Suto/Francis Boudreau-Audet S1, Miu Suzaki/Ryuichi Kihara S2
Pairs B
Narumi Takahashi/Ryo Shibata S4, Riku Miura/Shoya Ichihashi J1/JW13

Synchronized Skating A
Jingu Ice Messengers

Daisuke Murakami tweeted this Team Japan photo [April 29] -- good to see Sota Yamamoto back (next to Shoma in top row) and Satoko Miyahara too! https://twitter.com/DaisukeMurakami/status/858316820003958785/photo/1
(I believe this was taken at the Japan Institute of Sports Sciences in the National Training Center in Tokyo.)

Grand Prix assignments as of May 26 (event order is RUS, CAN, CHN, JPN, FRA, USA):
Men: Hanyu (RUS & JPN), Uno (CAN & FRA), Tanaka (RUS & CHN), Mura (CAN & USA), Murakami (JPN), 1 Man TBD for NHK Trophy
Ladies (7): Miyahara (JPN & USA), Mihara (CHN & FRA), Higuchi (RUS & CHN) Hongo (CAN & JPN), Honda (CAN & CHN), Sakamoto (RUS & USA), Shiraiwa (JPN & FRA)
Dance: Muramoto/Reed (JPN & USA), 1 TBD
Pair: Suto/Boudreau-Audet (RUS & JPN), 1 TBD

This June 23rd article ( https://www.nikkansports.com/sports/news/1844761.html ) mentions 3 ISU Challenger assignments: Hanyu to Autumn Classic International in Montreal; Uno to Lombardia Trophy in Bergamo; Marin Honda to U.S. Classic in SLC.

International Selection Criteria (document published on June 23, 2017) - order of listed criteria is 2018 Olympics/Worlds/4CC/Jr. Worlds/JGP/other internationals: http://www.skatingjapan.or.jp/image_data/fck/file/2017/170623_FS_Senkokijun.pdf
( Link to Google translation )

 

[Sylvia]

Dreams on Ice (Team Japan's annual summer exhibition show): http://www.onice.jp/top.html
Date & Place: July 7-9, 2017 in Shinyokohama
Cast:
Men (6): Shoma Uno, Keiji Tanaka, Takahito Mura, Kazuki Tomono, Mitsuki Sumoto, Shun Sato (2-time Novice A champ)
Ladies (7): Mai Mihara, Wakaba Higuchi, Rika Hongo, Marin Honda, Kaori Sakamoto, Yuna Shiraiwa, Rion Sumiyoshi (Novice A champ)
Pairs (2): Sumire Suto / Francis Boudreau Audet, Riku Miura / Shoya Ichihashi
Dance (3): Kana Muramoto / Chris Reed, Emi Hirai / Marien De La Asuncion (recently retired), Rikako Fukase / Aru Tateno
Synchro: Jingu Ice Messengers
Guests (4): Nathan Chen, Evgenia Medvedeva, Maria Sotskova, Anna Shcherbakova (expected to make her JGP debut)

 

[Sylvia]

Photos from Dreams on Ice (36 total in gallery): https://sports.yahoo.co.jp/photo/figureskate/all/dtl/2208/
(Notice published on July 5 says Shcherbakova withdrew due to injury.)

ETA programs list for DOI (in Japanese): https://twitter.com/lycheeskate/status/883457832082849792
"The Prophet" is Keiji Tanaka's SP.

 

[Sylvia]

In addition to Marin Honda making her senior international debut in SLC, other ladies' ISU Challenger assignments were published in this June 23rd article: http://www.asahi.com/articles/ASK6R4VWLK6RUTQP015.html

Satoko Miyahara: Finlandia Trophy
Mai Mihara: Autumn Classic
Wakaba Higuchi: Lombardia Trophy
Kaori Sakamoto: Asian Open Trophy & U.S. International Classic

ETA (looking for original source link - I don't see assignments published on the JSF website?): https://twitter.com/gototaisuke/status/878159410341728256
Takahito Mura: U.S. International Classic
Keiji Tanaka: Asian Open Trophy & Ondrej Nepela Memorial
Rika Hongo: Ondrej Nepela Memorial

ETA #2 - Komatsubara/Koleto (who train in Milan) will compete at Lombardia Trophy: https://www.fsuniverse.net/forum/th...leto-are-getting-married.101320/#post-5094141

 

[Sylvia]

Competition program music exhibitions skated at "Dreams on Ice":

Marin Honda's Turandot FS (violin version by Vanessa-Mae and Sarah Brightman's(?) "Nessun Dorma"): http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x5t0s1k_本田真凜-honda-marin-20170709-dream-on-ice-2017_sport
(It's blocked on YT in the U.S. on music copyright grounds: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AwJOnyZjIr8 )

Shoma Uno - "Winter" SP (from Vivaldi's Four Seasons): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QwLMjy5sl-o

Mai Mihara - "Libertango" SP: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KGeFASW5x4g

Kaori Sakamoto - FS to Amelie film soundtrack: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CNTzCYiYNKM

Keiji Tanaka - Blues SP ("The Prophet" by Gary Moore): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g4bglePicc0

Suto/Boudreau-Audet - Beatles medley FS ("Girl" / "Let It Be" / "All My Loving" / "I Want To Hold Your Hand"): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FX_ssL50LSQ

Kazuki Tomono - West Side Story FS: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RCxm9zKZCjw

Exhibition programs performed at DOI:

Wakaba Higuchi - Leonard Cohen's "Hallelujah": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IkxAKWVjREI

Takahito Mura - "Evermore" by Josh Groban (from Beauty and the Beast soundtrack): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B4qmMHXmYrw

Rika Hongo - Blackpink: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lKCdLr4yqBo

Muramoto/Reed - "Unsteady" by X Ambassadors: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JZiK_CjmzhI

Yuna Shiraiwa - "If My Friends Could See Me Now": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GqwGHN1TaS0

ETA:

I've posted a link to Nathan Chen's "Parachute" (debuted on the U.S. Stars on Ice tour) DOI performance in his fan thread: https://www.fsuniverse.net/forum/threads/nathan-chen-slaythan-fans-thread.97713/page-7#post-5094872

Video link for Evgenia Medvedeva's new "Anna Karenina" exhibition number is posted the the Russian news thread here: https://www.fsuniverse.net/forum/th...ve-27-summer-2017.101295/page-13#post-5094867

 

[Rock2]

Marin Honda is going to be a star. Like, soon. That is all.

 

[clairecloutier]

She already IS a star.

 

[kittyjake5]

Thanks so much Sylvia for all the video links of DOI! So much talent in one show! Loved it!

 

[giselle23]

She already IS a star.

Agree about Marin. With the Japanese ladies having only two spots for the Olympics and Worlds, it looks likely that it will be Satoko and Marin. Sad for the other Japanese ladies.

 

[Fozzie Bear]

Marin Honda has that same gorgeous quality of movement that I associate with my favorites Asada and Kwan. I wish she had a better program with unique music though. I couldn't help but think of Shen & Zhao and Arakawa's ina bauer throughout Honda's performance.

 

[Sylvia]

The international season starts for Japanese skaters this coming week at the Asian Open Trophy in Hong Kong.

Senior Men: Keiji Tanaka, Ryuju Hino

Senior Ladies:
Kaori Sakamoto JPN (her senior international debut was at this comp. in 2015
Yuna Shiraiwa JPN (her senior international debut)

Senior Pairs: Miu Suzaki/Ryuichi Kihara, Narumi Takahashi/Ryo Shibata

Junior Ladies: Rika Kihira, Mako Yamashita
Junior Men: Sena Miyake, Yuto Kishina

-----

Junior Grand Prix #1 in Brisbane, Australia (August 23-26, 2017)
Ladies: Akari MATSUOKA & Riko TAKINO
Subs:
Nana ARAKI
Moa IWANO
Rino KASAKAKE
Rika KIHIRA
Akari MATSUBARA
Rion SUMIYOSHI
Mako YAMASHITA
Yuhana YOKOI

Men: Yuto KISHINA & Taichiro YAMAKUMA
Subs:
Sena MIYAKE
Koshiro SHIMADA
Mitsuki SUMOTO
Tatsuya TSUBOI

 

[Jeschke]

Sorry if I missed it, but has the japanese fed already announced how they will select their olympic team?
@rosewood ?

 

[Karpenko]

I believe @rosewood is in Jamaica soaking up the awesome tropical weather. We gave her a free two-week vacation in the Mao thread for her many years of amazing work and good nature.

 

[kittyjake5]

I believe @rosewood is in Jamaica soaking up the awesome tropical weather. We gave her a free two-week vacation in the Mao thread for her many years of amazing work and good nature.

...and it was a very well deserved gift to a wonderful person!

 

[Vagabond]

Okay, okay, I have to get something off my chest.

I lurves me some Marin Honda, I really do.

But every time I see something about her here, I keep thinking of this.

 

[Karpenko]

Jackie Wong made me crack up with that joke about 5 months ago. gotta love Jackie.

His latest is changing the song My Sharona to Mai Mihara. @rockerskating on Twitter

 

[vesperholly]

TSL has been posting videos from Japanese competitions.

Marin Honda's SP: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5-8mnunt9jk&feature=youtu.be

Satoko Mihara's SP: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4gi7DF-2_VA&feature=youtu.be

Ugh I love them both Stunning choreography. Honda is age ineligible for Pyongchang right?

 

[chapis]

TSL has been posting videos from Japanese competitions.

Marin Honda's SP: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5-8mnunt9jk&feature=youtu.be

Satoko Mihara's SP: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4gi7DF-2_VA&feature=youtu.be

Ugh I love them both Stunning choreography. Honda is age ineligible for Pyongchang right?

She is eligible

 

[Karpenko]

TSL has been posting videos from Japanese competitions.

Marin Honda's SP: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5-8mnunt9jk&feature=youtu.be

Satoko Mihara's SP: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4gi7DF-2_VA&feature=youtu.be

Ugh I love them both Stunning choreography. Honda is age ineligible for Pyongchang right?

Nope she can go, and I totally agree. I love my lil underdog Mai Mihara though, but I think a healthy Satoko/Marin would be an amazing Olympic team.

 

[Bellanca]

As long as Satoko is there! Repeat after me...

 

[vesperholly]

Nope she can go, and I totally agree. I love my lil underdog Mai Mihara though, but I think a healthy Satoko/Marin would be an amazing Olympic team.

Whew! But Rika Kihira isn't, right? She turned 15 in late July of this year. So unfortunate now that she has a good 3axel, but IMO her PCS need some cooking.

 

[Karpenko]

Whew! But Rika Kihira isn't, right? She turned 15 in late July of this year. So unfortunate now that she has a good 3axel, but IMO her PCS need some cooking.

Right, and yes! But next quad watch out, because dang. I think she also has a quad combination.

 

[Jeschke]

Good to have Daisuke Murakami back
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tMIWAKveUeI

Dice2>>>Mura/Hino/Tanaka

 

[nimi]

Competition program music exhibitions skated at "Dreams on Ice":

....

Suto/Boudreau-Audet - Beatles medley FS ("Girl" / "Let It Be" / "All My Loving" / "I Want To Hold Your Hand"): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FX_ssL50LSQ

The Japanese pairs seem to be pretty ambitious with their sbs jumps this season. Based on the FS linked above, S/B-A are planning a sbs 3Lo in their program (they did 2Lo here).
In Asian Open, Takahashi/Shibata made an attempt at 3Loops in their SP, and Suzaki/Kihara did 3Lz both in their Yuri SP and Romeo&Juliet FP.

 

[Jeschke]

S/B-A are planning a sbs 3Lo in their program (they did 2Lo here).

I don't know how 'safe' the 3Lo is in practice, regarding the fight for the olympic spot, I don't know if it's the right time for experiments... .
Still such a shame, this pair won't be able to skate in Korea.

 

[Jeschke]

Takahashi/Shibata made an attempt at 3Loops in their SP

Will we ever see more than an attempt? It's Takahashi after all

 

[nimi]

Will we ever see more than an attempt? It's Takahashi after all

I'm trying to stay positive but...

 

[all_empty]

It's devastating that the Japanese ladies only have two spots at the Olympics and Worlds, since on any given day, many of their top ladies could be in the final group.

Even with the retirement of Asada and Murakami, there's at least 7 viable contenders

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KJl-VJF73KY

I worry for Miyahara as her injury may have affected her jump consistency, and she never had the biggest jumps to start with. She is a true artist, but the others are catching up in that department.

I assume Hongo is out of the equation. Like Murakami and Leonova, she was a journeywoman who served the Federation well as they were developing their juniors, but she lacks anything special.

Mihara will try to capture the momentum from last year. She still looks young and I appreciate her going for more mature programs.

Honda is undoubtedly the star and appears to have a lot of commercial backing. She seemed to have some nerves last year, but hopefully her silver at Jr. Worlds will bolster her confidence.

There's something I find very charming about Shiraiwa but I just don't think it's her year. Of the juniors moving up, she seems the least mature, but I liked what I saw of her programs.

Don't laugh, but I think Sakomoto might play spoiler a bit. She has huge jumps and is pretty consistent.

As for Higuchi, many anticipated that she'd come out guns blazing into seniors last year, but Mihara stole some of her thunder. She's a very, very good skater and she can play spoiler, too.

My early predictions: Mihara and Honda.

 

[hanca]

The Japanese pairs seem to be pretty ambitious with their sbs jumps this season. Based on the FS linked above, S/B-A are planning a sbs 3Lo in their program (they did 2Lo here).
In Asian Open, Takahashi/Shibata made an attempt at 3Loops in their SP, and Suzaki/Kihara did 3Lz both in their Yuri SP and Romeo&Juliet FP.

True, but even with those harder triples they don't seem to be scoring decent scores. They still have a long way to go.

 

[all_empty]

Can I change what I wrote about Yuna Shiraiwa?

I think she has my favorite SP of the season!