Japanese star Ryo Ishikawa will lead a strong line-up of champions from Japan at the soon-to-be-played International Series Japan – the inaugural US$2million event taking place at Caledonian Golf Club in Chiba, from May 8-11.

Ishikawa, the 33-year-old who has enjoyed an illustrious career on the Japan Golf Tour with 21 wins under his belt – including two last year –  will be making his debut on The International Series.

He will be joined by famous compatriots Taiga Semikawa, Yuta Sugiura, and Ren Yonezawa, all multiple winners on the Japan Golf Tour.

Semikawa is a four-time champion in Japan. He made history in 2022 by becoming the first amateur in 95 years to win the Japan Open – part of a remarkable season that also included victory at the Panasonic Open, also as an amateur. Last year, as a professional, he claimed the Golf Nippon Series JT Cup and the Kansai Open Golf Championship.

Taiga Semikawa. Picture by Hector Vivas/Getty Images.

Sugiura is another standout name. He triumphed at the prestigious Dunlop Phoenix Tournament as an amateur in 2023 and the following season won the Japan PGA Championship, as a member of the paid ranks. Yonezawa claimed The Crowns and the Yokohama Minato Championship in a superb three-month spell in 2024.

Hana Bank Invitational 2024 champion Takashi Ogiso from Japan has also confirmed his participation  alongside other notable countrymen Naoyuki Kataoka and Taihei Sato.

Japan’s Shugo Imahira, a 10-time champion in Japan, and Japan’s only LIV Golf League representative, Jinichiro Kozuma of Iron Heads GC, are already confirmed for the tournament, alongside American Harold Varner III, Australia’s Lucas Herbert, and the Asian Tour’s rising star Taichi Kho.

The International Series Japan is the third stop on The International Series this year. The series boasts 10 elevated events on the Asian Tour that offer superior prizemoney and a a direct pathway onto the LIV Golf League.

Yuta Sugiura. Picture by Yong Teck Lim/Getty Images.

Rahul Singh, Head of The International Series, said: “The local challenge is set to be incredibly strong at International Series Japan – and that’s a huge win for Japanese golf fans. We’re proud to bring world-class golf to one of Asia’s most passionate markets.

“This event offers a compelling mix of international stars, rising local talent, and some of the finest players from across the Asian Tour. With a coveted LIV Golf League spot on the line at the end of the season, every shot matters and the competition will be fierce.”