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Mayu Ishikawa Latest News Today – September 21, 2026: Japanese women’s volleyball captain Mayu Ishikawa is beginning a new chapter in her professional career after moving to Turkish powerhouse Eczacıbaşı for the 2026–27 season. The Japanese outside hitter has joined her new club after leaving Italy and is preparing for the next stage of her international career.
Ishikawa remains one of the key names in Japanese women’s volleyball. She is also the captain of Japan’s 2026 women’s national team, according to the Japan Volleyball Association.
Top Mayu Ishikawa News Headlines Today
- Mayu Ishikawa has joined Turkish club Eczacıbaşı.
- The Japanese star left for Turkey on September 14.
- Ishikawa described the move as an exciting new challenge.
- She will compete in the Turkish women’s volleyball league during the 2026–27 season.
- The 26-year-old remains captain of Japan’s women’s national team.
- Ishikawa previously played professional volleyball in Italy.
- Her new club has shared recent images of her training with teammates.
- Japanese fans are following her progress in Turkey.
- Japan’s women’s national team is currently competing at the 2026 Asian Games.
- Ishikawa’s international career remains closely connected to Japan’s preparations for future major tournaments.
Mayu Ishikawa Moves to Eczacıbaşı
One of the biggest recent developments in Mayu Ishikawa’s career is her transfer to Eczacıbaşı, one of Turkey’s prominent women’s volleyball clubs.
The Japan Olympic Committee reported on September 14 that Ishikawa was leaving for Turkey ahead of the new season. Speaking before her departure from Haneda Airport, she said she was looking forward to the new challenge and highlighted the strength and power of players in the Turkish league.
Ishikawa also said she wanted to contribute defensively while developing the strength necessary to compete against powerful international players.
Ishikawa Starts New Chapter After Italy
Before moving to Turkey, Ishikawa built her overseas career in Italy. Her volleyball profile lists previous professional stops including Firenze and Novara. She is now continuing her international career in one of Europe’s major volleyball environments.
Her move gives Japanese volleyball fans another opportunity to follow one of the country’s leading players competing outside Japan.
Recent reports show that Ishikawa has already integrated into her new club environment. Eczacıbaşı published photographs of the Japanese player training alongside teammates and staff, generating attention from volleyball fans internationally.
Mayu Ishikawa and Japan’s National Team
Ishikawa continues to hold an important role with the Japan women’s national team. The Japan Volleyball Association’s 2026 roster lists her as an outside hitter for Eczacıbaşı and identifies her as part of the national-team squad.
She was appointed captain for the 2026 season. Her leadership has become particularly important as Japan works toward qualification for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
During the 2026 Asian Championship in August, Ishikawa captained Japan and spoke about the team’s performance and areas that needed improvement. After Japan’s opening victory against Hong Kong, she emphasized the importance of improving serve reception, combinations and overall execution.
Japan Volleyball and the Asian Games
Japan’s women’s volleyball team is currently competing at the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya. Recent tournament reports show Japan advanced to the semifinal after defeating Chinese Taipei in straight sets.
Ishikawa’s departure for Turkey on September 14 means her current professional focus is her new club environment rather than the Asian Games tournament. Her national-team role, however, continues to make her one of the most closely followed Japanese volleyball players.
What Is Next for Mayu Ishikawa?
The next stage of Ishikawa’s career will involve adapting to Turkish club volleyball, building chemistry with her new teammates and competing at a high level in European competition.
At 26, Ishikawa already has significant international experience, including Olympic and world-level appearances. Her official volleyball profile lists appearances at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics and the 2024 Paris Olympics, alongside several world and qualification tournaments.
Her move to Eczacıbaşı therefore represents another important step in a career that has increasingly developed on the international stage.
