The Empress’s Cup All-Japan Women’s Judo Championship returns to Tokyo this weekend as the sport’s premier domestic showcase, drawing elite competitors from across Japan in a bid for national supremacy. Held annually under the auspices of the All Japan Judo Federation (AJJF), the tournament serves as both a culmination of the season’s domestic circuit and a critical selection event for upcoming international assignments, including the World Championships and Olympic qualifiers. This year’s edition carries added weight as athletes position themselves for the 2024 Paris Olympic cycle, with several weight classes expected to feature intense battles for limited national team spots.
Scheduled for Saturday and Sunday at the Nippon Budokan in central Tokyo, the competition begins each day at 10:00 a.m. Japan Standard Time (JST), which corresponds to 01:00 UTC. The venue, a historic martial arts hall built for the 1964 Olympic Games, has hosted the Empress’s Cup since its inception in 1948 and remains synonymous with judo’s highest honors in Japan. Over 200 athletes are expected to compete across seven weight divisions, ranging from extra-lightweight (48 kg) to heavyweight (+78 kg), with matches conducted in a single-elimination format featuring repechage bouts for bronze medal determination.
The tournament’s name honors Empress Kōjun, consort to Emperor Hirohito, whose patronage helped elevate women’s judo in postwar Japan. While men’s national championships date back to 1930, the women’s equivalent was not established until after World War II, reflecting broader societal shifts in gender roles and sports participation. Today, the Empress’s Cup stands as one of the most prestigious titles in Japanese judo, often considered second only to Olympic gold in domestic esteem. Past champions include legends such as Ryoko Tani, who won seven consecutive titles in the 48 kg division between 1990 and 2002 and Kaori Matsumoto, London 2012 Olympic gold medalist and multiple Empress’s Cup victor.
This year’s field features several returning champions and rising stars poised to challenge the established order. In the 52 kg category, Uta Abe — sister of Olympic double gold medalist Hifumi Abe — seeks her fourth Empress’s Cup title after winning in 2020, 2021, and 2023. A two-time World Champion and Tokyo 2020 bronze medalist, Uta has dominated domestic competition in recent years but faces renewed pressure from younger rivals like Natsumi Tsunoda, the 2022 World Championships silver medalist who has steadily climbed the national rankings. Their potential semifinal clash could serve as an early indicator of form ahead of the Grand Slam Paris later this spring.
In the 57 kg division, reigning champion Momo Tamaoki aims to defend her title against a formidable field that includes World Championships medalist Miku Tashiro and rising prospect Amini Isozaki. Tamaoki, known for her powerful ippon-seoi-nage and relentless attacking style, captured her first Empress’s Cup in 2022 and repeated in 2023, establishing herself as one of Japan’s most consistent performers on the international circuit. However, Tashiro’s technical precision and Isozaki’s explosive transition game present distinct challenges, particularly in a single-elimination format where one misstep can end a campaign.
The 63 kg category features a compelling rivalry between Saki Niizoe and Nami Nabekura, two athletes who have traded national titles over the past three seasons. Niizoe, the 2021 and 2022 Empress’s Cup champion, brings exceptional ne-waza (groundwork) skills and tactical patience, while Nabekura, the 2023 titleholder, relies on explosive tachi-waza (standing techniques) and superior grip fighting. Their head-to-head record stands at 3-3 in official AJJF events over the last two years, making their potential meeting in the quarterfinals or semifinals one of the most anticipated matches of the tournament. Both athletes represented Japan at the 2023 World Championships in Doha, where Niizoe placed fifth and Nabekura seventh.
At 70 kg, former World Champion Chizuru Arai looks to add another Empress’s Cup to her resume after winning in 2019 and 2021. Arai, a Tokyo 2020 Olympian known for her devastating osaekomi-waza (pinning techniques), has been less active domestically in recent years due to international commitments but remains a dangerous opponent when focused. She faces stiff competition from the rising Saki Niizoe — no relation to the 63 kg athlete — who captured her first national title in 2022 and has since become a regular medalist on the World Judo Tour. The 78 kg division features Olympic medalist Shori Hamada, who seeks her third Empress’s Cup title after victories in 2018 and 2020, while the heavyweight (+78 kg) category highlights the continued dominance of Akira Sone, Tokyo 2020 gold medalist and two-time World Champion, who has won the Empress’s Cup four times since 2019.
Beyond individual accolades, the tournament plays a vital role in team selection processes. While the Empress’s Cup does not directly determine Olympic roster spots, strong performances significantly influence AJJF coaching staff decisions, particularly for athletes on the bubble or returning from injury. The federation typically weighs results from this event alongside World Tour performances, national team trials, and training camp evaluations when finalizing squads for major competitions. For younger athletes, a standout performance can fast-track inclusion in developmental programs or secure funding through Japan’s Olympic Committee athlete support initiatives.
Historically, the Empress’s Cup has served as a launching pad for global success. Of Japan’s 48 Olympic judo medals since women’s competition began in 1992, over 70 percent were earned by athletes who had previously won at least one Empress’s Cup title. This correlation underscores the tournament’s value as a proving ground where technical mastery, mental resilience, and competitive temperament are tested against the nation’s deepest talent pool. Notably, no Japanese woman has won Olympic gold in judo without first capturing the Empress’s Cup — a streak that spans seven consecutive Games from Sydney 2000 to Tokyo 2020.
Logistically, the Nippon Budokan offers world-class facilities suited to high-level judo competition. The main hall features a competition area of approximately 800 square meters, with four tatami mats allowing simultaneous bouts during preliminary rounds. Seating capacity exceeds 6,000, though attendance for the Empress’s Cup typically ranges between 3,000 and 4,500 spectators depending on the day and featured matchups. Ticket prices remain modest, generally between 1,000 and 2,500 yen for general admission, reflecting the event’s community-oriented roots despite its elite status. Local organizers emphasize accessibility, with discounted rates for students, seniors, and groups, aligning with the AJJF’s mission to promote judo participation at all levels.
Internationally, the Empress’s Cup garners attention primarily through delayed broadcasts and highlight packages rather than live coverage, due to scheduling conflicts with European prime time. However, the All Japan Judo Federation provides full event streaming via its official YouTube channel, with commentary in Japanese and select English-language analysis during medal rounds. Results are updated in real time on the AJJF website and shared through the International Judo Federation’s (IJF) national federation portal, ensuring global accessibility for coaches, analysts, and fans tracking Japanese domestic form.
As the tournament approaches, attention turns not only to medal outcomes but also to broader trends within Japanese women’s judo. Recent years have seen increased emphasis on ne-waza development, influenced by the success of European and Brazilian athletes in international competition. Coaching staff nationwide have integrated more groundwork drills into daily training, a shift visible in the rising number of ippon victories achieved via osaekomi or shime-waza (strangulation techniques) at national events. Simultaneously, there is growing focus on athlete longevity, with several competitors in their late twenties and early thirties maintaining elite performance through refined recovery protocols and personalized periodization plans — a departure from earlier eras when peak performance was often considered short-lived.
The Empress’s Cup also reflects judo’s enduring cultural significance in Japan. Beyond medals and rankings, the tournament embodies values central to the martial art: mutual welfare and benefit (jita-kyoei), maximum efficient use of energy (seiryoku-zenyo), and respect (rei). Opening ceremonies include traditional elements such as the display of the Empress’s portrait, a moment of silence, and the athletes’ oath to compete with integrity — rituals that connect modern competition to judo’s philosophical foundations. For many participants, simply stepping onto the Budokan tatami represents the fulfillment of a lifelong dream, regardless of final placement.
Looking ahead, the immediate post-tournament focus will shift to the Asian Championships in April and the World Judo Tour events leading toward the Paris 2024 Olympic qualification window. Athletes who perform well in Tokyo will likely receive direct invitations to early-season Grand Slams, while those seeking additional ranking points may compete in Continental Opens or World Cup events. The AJJF is expected to release its initial Olympic training squad list by late May, with final selections announced approximately eight weeks before the Games’ judo competition begins on July 27, 2024.
For now, all eyes remain on the Empress’s Cup — a tournament where history is made, legends are reinforced, and the next generation of Japanese judoka steps into the spotlight. Whether it delivers coronations, upsets, or quiet affirmations of form, the outcomes in Tokyo will reverberate far beyond the Budokan’s walls, shaping narratives that extend into the summer Olympics and beyond.
The All-Japan Women’s Judo Championship concludes Sunday evening. Fans can follow results and highlights through the All Japan Judo Federation’s official channels. Share your thoughts on the competition below.
