Kana Naka, a 21-year-old speed skater, marked her Olympic debut during the women's team pursuit event at the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics. Substituting for the exhausted Mokoka Horikawa, she faced intense pressure in the bronze medal match against the United States just 1 hour and 40 minutes after a semifinals defeat. Despite feeling overwhelmed and facing difficulties during the race, Naka and her team managed to finish ahead of their opponents, securing Japan's third consecutive podium finish after gold in Pyeongchang 2018 and silver in Beijing 2022.

The team composition has undergone changes over the years, particularly after the retirement of seasoned skaters like Nana Takagi. As per the current team, only Miho Takagi and Ayano Sato, who have experienced previous Olympics, remain, both working hard to regroup the team. Japan's competition is fierce, particularly from powerhouse nations like the Netherlands and Canada, known for their strength in the World Cup and Olympic settings. To enhance their team dynamics, Naka, along with her teammates, have been focusing on building synergy and improving their collective performance ahead of future competitions.

Coach Johan David praised the team's growth, acknowledging that while individual strengths may vary, they have successfully built a cohesive unit that excels together. Looking towards the next Olympics, Naka expressed her determination to strengthen and build upon her experiences, conveying gratitude to her predecessors for paving the way towards their current achievements. This competitive spirit and commitment to improvement bode well for Japan's future in Olympic speed skating competition.