The Japan Open is one of the most prestigious events on the Badminton World Federation’s professional tour. It began in 1982 and has since been one of the most sought after tournaments by high ranked athletes.
A Super 750 event, it has been held in Kobe, Gunma, and in recent years, at Osaka, Yokohama, and Tokyo. Over four decades old, the tournament is organized by the Nippon Badminton Association along with he Badminton World Federation.
Often referred as the Yonex Japan Open, the tournament features events in all five disciplines of the sport including men’s singles, women’s singles, men’s doubles, and women’s doubles. All events are played in the single elimination bracket format. The size of the draws for each category is 32.
Each match is played in the conventional best of three sets format. A set is won when a player or pair wins 21 points with a difference of two. Play continues at a score of 20-20 until one of the sides has a lead of two points. The event follows the rally scoring format for points.
The tournament offers 11,000 ranking points to its champions and 9350 points to the runners-up. Moreover, the semifinalists and the quarterfinalists receive 7700 and 5080 points respectively. The 41st edition of the event had a prize purse of USD 850,000. The singles champions receive $59,500, whereas the doubles champion teams get $62,900 (split between the two players).
As of 2024, Lee Chong Wei has been the most successful men’s singles player having won six titles. Three players are tied for having won a record-equalling four men’s doubles titles – Candra Wijaya, Park Joo-Bong, and Ricky Subagja. Li Lingwei and Akane Yamaguchi are tied for the most women’s singles titles with four titles. A record-equalling four women’s doubles titles are won by Chung So-young, Ge Fei, and Gu Jun. In the mixed doubles category, the man who has been a part of the most champions team is Park Joo-Bong (five titles). On the women’s side, this record belongs to Chung Myung-hee with six titles.
Nation-wise, China has produced the most champions across all events with a staggering tally of 77. The next best is South Korea with 30 champions. Host nation Japan is tied with Malaysia at 12 champions each.
