Japan Smashes Previous Medal Record in 2026 Winter Olympics
J Pop Exchange Logo Sakura Heading Photo

Japan Smashes Previous Medal Record in 2026 Winter Olympics

By Elizabeth Webb for The J-Pop Exchange

Japan delivered its most successful Winter Olympics performance ever at the 2026 Winter Olympics, capturing 24 medals and surpassing its previous record of 18 set at the last Winter Olympics in 2022.

The historic haul was powered by a dominant snowboarding squad and an unprecedented six medals in figure skating, both of which appear poised to remain pillars of Japan’s winter sports success.

Snowboarding has become a major medal engine for Team Japan, thanks to elite training facilities and a deep pipeline of emerging talent. Competing at Livigno Snow Park, Japanese snowboarders claimed a total of nine medals, which is more than twice the total of any other country, and a big rise from the three earned in Beijing. Leading the charge was 24-year-old Yuto Totsuka, who captured gold in the men’s halfpipe and was actually the oldest Japanese snowboarding medalist in the event, underscoring the team’s youthful strength going into the 2030 Games.

“I had to show originality in every trick,” Totsuka said during a press conference. “Doing something no one else did made the difference.”

In figure skating, pair-favorites Miura Riku and Kihara Ryūichi secured gold in the pairs competition. After a rare lift error by Kihara in the short program, the duo (known affectionately as Riku-Ryu) rebounded with a world-record 158.13 points in the free skate to secure the title.

Their comeback resonated deeply with fans back home. Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi praised their chemistry on X/Twitter, writing that their performance felt “as if two hearts became one,” and reflecting the trust they share.

Since returning to Japan post-Olympics, the pair has yet to finalize its future competition plans, but Miura made one thing clear: “I will retire when Kihara retires. I would never continue with someone else.”

On the speed skating track, Takagi Miho reached a milestone of 10 career Olympic medals. This is the most medals held by any Japanese woman in either the Summer or Winter Games. She added three bronze medals in 2026, in the 500m, 1000m, and team pursuit events.

Japan’s success in Milan-Cortina extends a remarkable streak: from the 1980 Winter Olympics through 2026, the country has medaled in 13 consecutive Winter Games. It first reached double digits at the 1998 Winter Olympics and has now set new national medal records at each of the last three Olympics.

Attention now turns to Japan’s Paralympic athletes, with the Winter Paralympics beginning March 6. Meanwhile, the nation’s Olympians will be honored at a celebratory parade in Tokyo on April 25.

More by Elizabeth Webb:

Designing for Sanity: How Urban Planning Shapes Mental Health in Tokyo

Silence Speaks: The Cultural Barriers to Talking About Mental Health in Japan