Japan is one of the most established regions in PUBG Mobile esports, but its recent international performances have raised questions ahead of the BGMI International Cup (BMIC) 2026. The tournament will take place from October 30 to November 1 in Mumbai, featuring six Indian teams, five South Korean teams, and five Japanese teams.
South Korea has been one of the strongest regions in international PUBG Mobile competitions, while Indian teams have recently started delivering better results on the global stage. However, Japan has struggled in several major tournaments over the past few years. Does this make Japan the weakest region heading into BMIC 2026? Let’s look at the results.
Japan Has Won Only One Major Global PUBG Mobile Title
Japan has a long history in PUBG Mobile esports, with organisations like REJECT representing the country internationally. REJECT, which featured popular players such as SaRa and Reiji, won the PUBG Mobile Global Open (PMGO) 2024. It remains Japan’s only major global PUBG Mobile championship title.
However, the region has struggled to repeat that success. At BMIC 2025, REJECT finished at the bottom of the standings despite entering the tournament with high expectations. CAG Osaka was Japan’s best-performing team, finishing third after a strong comeback on the final day. Apart from CAG Osaka, the other three Japanese teams finished among the bottom five. While South Korean teams fought for the championship and Indian teams delivered competitive performances, most Japanese teams struggled throughout the tournament.
Japan’s Poor Results at PUBG Mobile World Cup 2025 and 2026
Japan’s struggles were also visible at the PUBG Mobile World Cup (PMWC). At PMWC 2026, Japan was represented by DOPENESS, which qualified after winning the Japanese league. However, the team struggled in the Group Stage and finished 13th, narrowly advancing to the Survival Stage. DOPENESS then finished 11th in the Survival Stage and was eliminated, ending its World Cup campaign in 21st place overall. In comparison, both Indian teams qualified for the PMWC 2026 Grand Finals.
Japan also struggled at PMWC 2025. KINOTROPE represented the region with a roster that included two South Korean players. Despite having international experience in the lineup, the team finished 23rd, or second-last, in the tournament. The situation was similar at the PUBG Mobile Global Championship (PMGC) 2025, where REJECT finished 37th overall.
Here is a comparison of Japan’s recent international results:
| Tournament | Japanese Team | Final Position |
|---|---|---|
| PMGO 2024 | REJECT | Champions |
| BMIC 2025 | CAG Osaka | 3rd |
| PMWC 2025 | KINOTROPE | 23rd |
| PMGC 2025 | REJECT | 37th |
| PMWC 2026 | DOPENESS | 21st |
These results show that Japan has struggled to produce consistent performances at major international events since REJECT’s PMGO 2024 victory.
Read More: Mumbai, Where BGMI Kings Fall and New Champions Rise: BMIC 2026 Returns to an Iconic Venue
South Korea Has Dominated Japan in the PUBG Mobile Rivals Cup
Another important tournament to consider is the PUBG Mobile Rivals Cup, where Japanese and South Korean teams compete directly against each other. Since 2021, seven editions have been held.
Japan won the first edition in 2021 through BC SWELL. However, South Korean teams have won the following six editions.
| Edition | Champion | Region |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | BC SWELL | Japan |
| 2022 | DAMWON Gaming | South Korea |
| 2023 | Dplus KIA | South Korea |
| 2024 Season 1 | Dplus KIA | South Korea |
| 2024 Season 2 | Miraen Sejong | South Korea |
| 2025 Season 1 | NS RedForce | South Korea |
| 2026 | KRX | South Korea |
South Korea’s six consecutive titles show the difference in results between the two regions. The Rivals Cup has also offered qualification opportunities for major international tournaments, including PMGC and the World Cup. This makes the competition important beyond the regional rivalry.
Five Japanese Teams Will Compete at BMIC 2026
Japan will send five teams to BMIC 2026 in Mumbai.
| Team | Background |
|---|---|
| VALOR | Japanese league champion |
| REIGNITE | Previously competed at BMIC |
| MAKING THE ROAD | Previously competed at BMIC |
| Versus | Qualified through the Japanese league |
| KINOTROPE | Represented Japan at PMWC 2025 |
One notable absence is REJECT. Despite being one of Japan’s most successful and popular PUBG Mobile organisations, REJECT failed to qualify for BMIC 2026. The organisation that delivered Japan’s PMGO 2024 championship will not compete in Mumbai.
However, the absence of REJECT also gives other Japanese teams an opportunity to establish themselves internationally. VALOR enters as the Japanese league champion, while REIGNITE and MAKING THE ROAD have previous BMIC experience. KINOTROPE will also have another opportunity to improve on its disappointing PMWC 2025 performance.
Can Japanese Teams Compete Against India and South Korea?
BMIC 2026 will be a major test for all five Japanese teams. South Korea will be represented by NS RedForce, Dplus, DRX, FOCUS, and GAME PT. India’s six teams are iQOO Soul, Gladiators Esports, iQOO 8Bit, K9 Esports, Blitz Epigrotive Gaming, and Team Outrage.
South Korea enters with a strong record in international PUBG Mobile esports, while India will look to build on its recent World Cup performances. Japan, meanwhile, will try to end its run of disappointing international results. The most interesting comparison could be between India and Japan.
Both Indian teams reached the PMWC 2026 Grand Finals, while Japan’s representative was eliminated in the Survival Stage. That result suggests India has made progress, but one tournament alone cannot prove that an entire region is stronger. BMIC 2026 will provide another opportunity to compare the two regions directly.
Is Japan Really the Weakest Region at BMIC 2026?
Based on recent international results, Japan has a weaker record than South Korea and has also fallen behind India in some major tournaments. Its struggles at BMIC 2025, PMWC 2025, PMGC 2025, and PMWC 2026 raise genuine concerns about the region’s current competitive level.
However, Japan should not be underestimated. REJECT’s PMGO 2024 victory proved that Japanese teams can win major international titles. CAG Osaka’s third-place finish at BMIC 2025 also showed that the region can compete against strong opponents. The five Japanese teams heading to Mumbai now have an opportunity to change the situation.
For Indian teams, BMIC 2026 is equally important. Playing at home and having better recent results will not automatically make them stronger than their Japanese opponents. They will have to prove it through their performances.
Japan may enter BMIC 2026 with the weakest recent international record among the three regions, but the results in Mumbai will decide whether that reputation is justified.
