Taiwan plays soft tip, and the soft-tip elite is centered on Japan. SUPER DARTS and DARTSLIVE, the top tier of the soft-tip scene, run there. Here are 8 Japanese players worth knowing: what they're known for, and the matches worth your time.
Mikuru Suzuki: two-time World Champion
Japan's darts national treasure. Back-to-back BDO World Champion, 2019 and 2020 (both 3–0 whitewashes), the first non-European woman to win a world title, and one of the first Asian players to reach a PDC World Championship main draw. In 2023 she ended Beau Greaves' winning streak.
Also worth knowing: her 2020 PDC World Championship Round 1 against James Richardson, a 2–3 loss where she was one 152 checkout away from a famous upset at Alexandra Palace.
Motomu Sakai: the breakout showman
Japan's next-generation soft-tip star, runner-up at SUPER DARTS 2024. What actually made him viral: his 2026 PDC World Championship debut, walking on to an Ojamajo Doremi anime theme with a full dance routine, and then beating Thibault Tricole 3–0.
Tomoya Goto: the upset specialist
Crosses over between soft and steel. His 2023/24 PDC World Championship debut was a shock 3–1 win over Ian White (seven 180s along the way), one of the best Japanese performances at the World Championship in recent years. Won the inaugural Japan Tour Finals in 2024 to earn a return trip.
Seigo Asada: "The Ninja"
The steadiest crossover player in Japanese soft-tip history, long Japan's No. 1. SUPER DARTS 2024 champion, runner-up in 2025 (lost the final to South Korea's MinSeok Choi). Five-time Japan Open champion (2012, 2014–2017). At the 2019 PDC World Championship he came back from 0–2 down to beat Krzysztof Ratajski 3–2, his career-defining match. Match report: PDC official recap.
Haruki Muramatsu: the veteran who keeps coming back
A Japanese soft-tip elder statesman, invited to SUPER DARTS since 2011 and still without a title, but the persistence itself is the story. In 2012, facing legend Phil Taylor, he earned praise from Taylor himself for a style that "would make any pro nervous." His 2015 PDC World Championship match against Boris Koltsov: watch on YouTube.
Keita Ono: the soft-tip old guard
From Tokyo, won the Japan Open in 2013, and reached the 2016 PDC World Championship, qualifying through the preliminary round before losing to legend Phil Taylor in Round 1, still delivering some sharp legs. Tomoya Goto has publicly named him the player he respects most, a nice generational-torch detail. Record: Wikipedia.
Toru Suzuki: the crossover veteran
From Yamanashi, took multiple PERFECT Japan Tour titles in 2017. Won the 2020 PDC Asia Qualifier (beat Kota Suzuki 5–3 in the final) to earn a 2021 World Championship spot, where he lost his opener to Madars Razma. His 2023 World Championship match against fellow soft-tip crossover player Boris Krcmar: watch on YouTube.
Yuki Yamada: beat a legend to break through
From Fukuoka. His career-defining moment: winning the 2019 PDC Asian Tour Hong Kong leg by beating Singaporean legend Paul Lim in the final, which earned him a 2020 World Championship spot. At the 2015 Japan Darts Masters he lost 2–6 to Gary Anderson but hit a 121 checkout. His World Championship opener vs Ryan Meikle: watch on YouTube.
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