The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced on Friday that the men’s cricket teams of India and Japan will face each other in a one-off T20 match as part of celebrations marking 75 years of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

The historic encounter, which will be the first international match between India and Japan, is scheduled to take place on September 22 at the Sano International Cricket Ground in Tochigi Prefecture, Japan.

The match will also mark the beginning of “Sport 75”, an initiative aimed at strengthening sporting cooperation and people-to-people exchanges between India and Japan. The initiative follows an agreement reached during a summit between Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The event also holds significance in view of India’s ambition to host the Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2036.

Speaking about the announcement, BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia said the board was delighted to be part of such a historic occasion.

“The BCCI is pleased to be associated with this special moment as the Indian and Japanese men’s teams come together for a T20 International in Japan. It is an important step for cricket, as it takes the Indian team into a new territory and introduces the sport to a wider audience in Japan and across East Asia,” Saikia said.

He added that India and Japan share a strong and long-standing friendship, and cricket would now become part of the celebrations marking 75 years of diplomatic ties between the two nations.

“We sincerely thank the Japan Cricket Association for its efforts in making this fixture possible. The BCCI believes that cricket must continue to grow beyond its traditional regions. As one of the world’s leading cricket boards, we understand our responsibility to support that development,” he said.

Saikia also confirmed that the BCCI intends to work closely with the Japan Cricket Association to strengthen the sport in Japan and build a lasting cricketing relationship between the two countries.

Japan Cricket Association CEO Naoki Miyaji described the match as a landmark occasion for Japanese cricket.

“Welcoming the current world champions to Japan and hosting them at the home of Japanese cricket is a historic moment for our association. We thank the BCCI for working with us to make this possible,” Miyaji said.

He added that the association was looking forward to welcoming India’s passionate cricket supporters. Local Japanese residents who are curious about the sport are also being encouraged to attend the match and support the home team.

“This will be a truly memorable occasion for everyone involved,” Miyaji said.