dexinwin NAGOYA, Japan, Sept. 18, 2026— China and Japan will meet in a highly anticipated men’s basketball semifinal at the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games on Friday, with a place in the gold-medal game at stake.
The semifinal is scheduled for6:20 p.m. local timeat Toyota City General Gymnasium. China reached the final four after defeating Saudi Arabia 87-78 in the quarterfinals, while host Japan advanced with an 85-78 victory over Chinese Taipei.
China Enter the Semifinal After a Tough Quarterfinal
China faced a difficult test against Saudi Arabia on Sept. 16. The Chinese team led 48-39 at halftime, but Saudi Arabia fought back in the third quarter and the teams were tied at 62 entering the final period.
China eventually regained control in the closing minutes to secure a nine-point victory.
Liao Sanning was the leading scorer with 30 points, while center Yu Jiahao contributed 16 points and nine rebounds. Four Chinese players finished in double figures.
The result sent China into the Asian Games semifinals for a meeting with the host nation.
Japan Advance With a Defensive Effort
Japan also had to work hard for its quarterfinal victory.
The hosts defeated Chinese Taipei 85-78, with Kotetsu Kurokawa scoring a game-high 23 points. Japan's defense played an important role in the victory, particularly during periods when Chinese Taipei struggled to maintain its offensive rhythm.
Japan's roster for the Asian Games does not include several of its internationally experienced players, including Rui Hachimura, Yuta Watanabe and Yuki Kawamura. The team instead features players from Japan's B.League and younger players, along with naturalized center Alex Kirk.
Speed Versus Size
The semifinal presents a contrasting matchup.
China has considerable size in its frontcourt, with Yu Jiahao and Hu Jinqiu providing interior scoring, rebounding and defensive presence. China collected 42 rebounds against Saudi Arabia, including 15 offensive rebounds.
Japan, meanwhile, has emphasized quick ball movement, perimeter shooting and defensive pressure. Its quarterfinal performance against Chinese Taipei showed how effectively the hosts can turn defensive plays into transition opportunities.
For China, controlling turnovers and limiting Japan's fast-paced offense will be important. Japan will have to deal with China's size and physical presence around the basket.
A Meeting With History Behind It
The two teams have not met in the men's basketball competition at an Asian Games since the 2014 edition in Incheon, when Japan defeated China 79-72.
Twelve years later, the two sides meet again, this time with a place in the Asian Games final on the line.
China has traditionally been one of the strongest men's basketball teams at the Asian Games, having won the competition eight times. Japan, as the host nation, will also have strong home support at this year's tournament.
Final Place at Stake
The winner of Friday's semifinal will advance to Sunday's gold-medal game against South Korea, which defeated Iran 77-51 in the other semifinal. The loser will move into the bronze-medal match.
With both teams only one victory away from the final, the China-Japan matchup has become one of the most closely watched basketball games of the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games.
Rather than looking beyond Friday's contest, both sides now face the immediate task of executing their game plans, controlling the tempo and handling the pressure of a knockout match.
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