2026.9 KENDOJIDAI
Interview: Teraoka Tomoyuki
Photography: Sasai Takamasa
Takenouchi Yuya is one of the defining figures in Japanese Kendo in recent years. On the international stage, he has represented Japan since the 16th World Kendo Championships in 2015 and has remained a central figure on the national team ever since. Looking ahead to next year’s 20th World Kendo Championships, he has now taken on the responsibility of leading the team as captain of the Japanese men’s national team.
Against this backdrop came the seemingly sudden launch of the Asia Oceania Kendo Championships. What kind of emotions did this new tournament stir in Takenouchi?
Known for his unwavering confidence and composure, Takenouchi set out on a new challenge: to lead Japan to victory at the inaugural Asia Oceania Kendo Championships. Through his own words, we trace the path he took toward becoming the tournament’s first champion.
Takenouchi Yuya
Appointed as the New Captain for the 20th WKC: The Pressure to Keep Winning
—Congratulations on winning the Asia Oceania Kendo Championships. First, could you tell us your immediate thoughts after the tournament?
TAKENOUCHI: Since this was the inaugural tournament, there were some uncertainties about what kind of atmosphere it would have. But because it was held in Japan, I was able to compete with much the same feeling as I would at any other tournament in Japan. As the Japanese national team, our goal was to win all four men’s and women’s divisions, so now that we have achieved that goal, I feel a sense of relief.
—For you, this was your first international tournament since being appointed captain of the Japanese national team.
TAKENOUCHI: After the tournament in Italy, my senior Ando Sho stepped down as captain, and from the next national team training camp onward, I took on the role of leading the Japanese national team as captain. To be honest, I felt that the responsibility might be too much for me, and there was also a part of me that thought I was not really suited to being captain. So I did have some doubts about whether I would be able to fulfill the role for the full three years.
—Surely everyone expected Takenouchi Yuya to be the next captain of the Japanese national team.
TAKENOUCHI: I wonder if that was really the case. What concerned me most was not so much the difficulty of bringing the team together, but rather whether I could maintain my own motivation. Representing Japan means that you must not only possess a level of strength that everyone recognizes, but also have the mental fortitude to withstand the pressure that comes with it. And you have to sustain that for three years. You never know when you might get injured, and there is always the possibility that you could suddenly stop winning. When I thought about those things, I couldn’t help but feel anxious.
—We never expected to hear you express such doubts, given that you always seem to maintain such unwavering confidence.
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