The Japan Volleyball Association announced on Friday that they appointed Ferhat Akbas as the new head coach of the country’s women’s national volleyball team. The 38-year-old Turkish volleyball expert is set to guide Hinotori Nippon in this year’s Volleyball Nations League, as well as the 2025 FIVB Volleyball Women World Championship, with long-term focus on the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.
Akbas is the first ever foreigner at the helm of the team. He is taking over from Masayoshi Manabe, who led Japan through the previous Olympic cycle towards their participation in the Paris 2024 Games, during which the team achieved a historic Volleyball Nations League 2024 silver. They are currently number seven in the FIVB World Ranking.
“I am deeply honoured to be part of Japan's rich volleyball tradition and extremely proud to be the first foreign head coach of the Japanese women's national team,” Akbas told jva.or.jp. “I fully understand the magnitude of the challenge ahead, but I have every confidence in the players, the staff and the federation. With our combined efforts and dedication, I know we can take this team to new heights. I feel a deep connection to the Japanese culture of discipline, resilience and teamwork, and I am committed to contributing to our success. I am looking forward to the journey ahead.”
