Yuta Watanabe Returns to Action at Japan Open 2025 with New Partner

Yuta Watanabe — a five-time All England champion and two-time Olympic medalist — has secured a spot in the main draw of the 2025 Japan Open alongside his new partner, Hina Akechi.

The newly formed pair — who were previously on the reserve list — will immediately face fellow Japanese players Hiroki Midorikawa/Natsu Saito in the BWF World Tour Super 750 tournament.

Midorikawa/Saito are seeded contenders and have a history of tight matches against Indonesia’s Jafar Hidayatullah/Felisha Alberta Nathaniel Pasaribu, most notably when they defeated the Indonesian duo in the 2025 Asian Championships semifinals.

Japan Open 2025 will mark Watanabe’s first international appearance with Akechi, following past partnerships with players such as Maya Taguchi and Olympic champion Misaki Matsutomo.