Two years before they host the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, Japan are making their 15th appearance in the history of the FIVB World Championship. This marks their return to the competition after failing to qualify in 2014 - the first edition they had missed in 54 years.
Last time Japan competed in the World Championship was in 2010, when they ranked 13th. Their biggest success in the competition remains their two bronze medals from 1970 and 1974.
Elsewhere, Japan won a bronze medal at the Tokyo 1964 Olympic Games, followed by silver at Mexico 1968 and a gold at Munich 1972.
Japan have been crowned Asian champions nine times (including the last two editions in 2015 and 2017) and have won a total of eight gold medals at the Asian Games. Can they translate this continental success onto the world stage in 2018?