First stop, Bangkok: Japan volleyball chiefs eye Asia expansion, global influence

Japan’s top volleyball competition will stage regular-season matches overseas for the first time this weekend, in a strategic push to transform itself into an Asian league.

The SV League will host women’s matches on Saturday and Sunday in Bangkok, and plans to take men’s games there in January.

Launched in October 2024 as the successor to the former V League, the revamped professional competition features 10 men’s teams and 14 women’s teams competing in a regular-season and playoff...