Defending Champion Tanaka Rei Aims for Back-to-Back Titles at Japan Women’s Judo Championships
The defending champion Tanaka Rei of the Osaka Prefectural Police will seek to repeat as Japan’s top female judoka when the 41st Empress’s Cup All-Japan Women’s Judo Championships get underway on April 19, 2026, at Yokohama Budokan in Yokohama, Japan.
Tanaka, who captured the title in the 2025 edition, emphasized her focused approach ahead of the competition during a pre-event press conference held on April 18, 2026, at the same venue. Speaking to reporters, she stated her intention to compete with her usual mindset: “Always the same, one match at a time, giving my all for victory.” This reflects her consistent preparation and determination to defend her crown in the open-weight division.
The tournament, officially known as the Empress’s Cup All-Japan Women’s Judo Championship, represents the pinnacle of achievement in Japanese women’s judo, determining the nation’s top competitor regardless of weight class. Held annually at Yokohama Budokan, the event brings together the country’s elite judoka who have qualified through regional tournaments or earned automatic berths as reigning champions, Olympic medalists, or world champions.
According to the official announcement from the Japan Judo Federation released on March 26, 2026, Tanaka will be joined by fellow medalists from the previous year’s competition, including silver medalist Shirogane Miru, who competed in the 57kg division last year. The federation’s press release confirmed the tournament schedule, noting that doors open at 10:00 a.m. Local time with the first matches beginning at 11:00 a.m. On April 19, 2026.
Ticket information for the event was also detailed in the federation’s announcement, with arena reserved seating priced at 4,000 yen, general arena seating at 3,000 yen, and second-floor general admission at 2,000 yen. Reduced pricing of 1,000 yen is available for high school students and younger, while elementary school children and below are admitted free of charge when not requiring a dedicated seat.
Ticket sales are managed through major Japanese ticketing platforms including Pia and ePlus, with advance sales beginning March 31, 2026, and general sales commencing April 1, 2026. The Japan Judo Federation advised that same-day ticket sales would not be available if advance sales sell out completely.
As the competition approaches, Tanaka’s focus remains on executing her game plan match by match. Her affiliation with the Osaka Prefectural Police judo program highlights the strong institutional support system available to elite athletes in Japan, where public safety organizations often sponsor top competitors.
The 41st edition of the Empress’s Cup continues a tradition dating back to 1986, when the tournament was first established under the patronage of Empress Kōjun. Over nearly four decades, the competition has evolved into the most prestigious event in Japanese women’s judo, serving as a key indicator of national team selection and international competitiveness.
For Tanaka, defending her title represents both a personal challenge and an opportunity to solidify her status among Japan’s judo elite. Her statement reflecting a “one match at a time” approach underscores the mental discipline required to succeed in the single-elimination format of the open-weight championship, where any lapse in concentration could result in an early exit regardless of previous accomplishments.
With the tournament set to begin on April 19, 2026, at Yokohama Budokan, all attention will turn to whether Tanaka can successfully navigate the challenging bracket and add another Empress’s Cup to her resume, or if a fresh champion will emerge from the talented field of competitors vying for Japan’s top honor in women’s judo.
Stay updated with live results and coverage of the Empress’s Cup All-Japan Women’s Judo Championships through official channels of the Japan Judo Federation and trusted sports news outlets.
