The Chinese women's volleyball team has faced two consecutive defeats in the VNL, but Japan's captain, Mayu Ishikawa, sees a "glimmer of victory."

In a key match of the third round of the 2025 World Women's Volleyball League (VNL) held on June 21 at the second stop in Hong Kong, Japan lost to China with a score of 1-3, marking their second straight defeat following a loss to Italy the previous day. The team's overall record in this tournament now stands at 5 wins and 2 losses.

After the match between China and Japan, the Chinese women's volleyball team reclaimed the title of Asia's "number one."

Japanese media reported after the match that the Japanese team aims to secure a spot at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics during the Asian Women's Volleyball Championship next summer, with the Chinese women's team being the biggest obstacle to achieving this goal. The Chinese team is also targeting the Los Angeles Olympics, featuring five young players aged between 16 and 19. However, the Japanese team ultimately struggled against China's high blocks, the powerful attacks from star player Wu Mengjie, and the quick strikes from veteran Wang Yuanyuan and other middle blockers.

20-year-old Akiyo Kitamatsu scored 10 points in this match.

Following this match, Japan's world ranking was surpassed by the Chinese team, dropping them to the position of Asia's "number two." 23-year-old Yoshino Sato was the top scorer for Japan in this match with 17 points, followed closely by captain Mayu Ishikawa with 11 points, and another main attacker, 20-year-old Akiyo Kitamatsu, who scored 10 points. Ishikawa stated after the match, "We were often suppressed by the opponent." Nevertheless, Kitamatsu and others also had commendable performances. Ishikawa added, "In the third set, with the help of our substitutes, the whole team saw a glimmer of hope for a comeback. I realized that I needed to hit the ball down to the floor as I wasn't fully effective in my attacks."

Captain Mayu Ishikawa scored 11 points against China.

Japan's last match at the Hong Kong stop is against the Czech Republic on June 22. Ishikawa remarked, "Every match against the Czech Republic is a good one. We need to be mentally prepared and get into the game from the very start." After the Hong Kong stop, the Japanese team will head to Chiba Port Arena for the third stop of the World Volleyball League, starting on July 9. Regarding this, Ishikawa expressed her enthusiasm, saying, "I want to perform well against the Czech Republic and maintain good momentum in the Chiba stop."