Athletics - Team Japan

General
Japan first appeared in the men's 4x400m relay at the 1932 Games in Los Angeles, where they placed fifth. It would be more than 50 years before they made their second Olympic appearance at the 1984 Games, which also took place in Los Angeles, but they have competed in the event at every Olympic Games since then. They have qualified for the final twice during that time, with a best result of fourth at Athens 2004 where they finished 0.09s behind bronze medallists Nigeria.

Japan have appeared regularly at the world championships since 1983. However, they have only made the final once, finishing seventh in Paris in 2003.

The Japanese team claimed silver at the 2021 World Relays, their first podium finish at the tournament. At continental level they won bronze at the 2018 Asian Games and gold at the 2019 Asian Championships.