Yuta Watanabe returns to action at Japan Open 2025 with new partner

Yuta Watanabe — holder of five All England titles and two Olympic medals — has successfully advanced to the main draw of Japan Open 2025 with his new partner, Hina Akechi.

This new partnership — previously on the reserve list — will immediately face fellow Japanese representatives, Hiroki Midorikawa/Natsu Saito in this BWF World Tour Super 750 tournament.

Midorikawa/Saito are seeded players who have a fierce rivalry with Indonesian representatives, Jafar Hidayatullah/Felisha Alberta Nathaniel Pasaribu — notably defeating the Indonesian pair in the 2025 Asian Championships semifinals.

Japan Open 2025 will mark Watanabe’s international debut with Akechi — following his previous partnerships with players including Maya Taguchi and Olympic champion Misaki Matsutomo.