Makoto Taniyama

Makoto Taniyama is an international cricketer who represents the Japan National Cricket Team. Operating as an all-rounder, Taniyama is best known as a highly disciplined right-arm leg-break googly bowler whose control and variations have made him one of the vital components of Japan’s bowling attack in the T20 International (T20I) format.

Taniyama made his international debut for Japan on October 9, 2022, against Indonesia at Sano. Standing out in an emerging cricket nation, his bowling action and inspiration are heavily drawn from YouTube videos of the legendary Australian spinner Shane Warne.

His primary strength lies in choking the runs in the middle overs, utilizing an exceptionally lean economy rate. Over his international career spanning from 2022 to 2026, he has established himself as one of Japan’s leading wicket-takers. His landmark career spell came against the Cook Islands in 2025, where he picked up his career-best figures of 4 for 19.

Alongside his international duties, Taniyama remains an active figure in Japan's domestic circuit, playing for clubs like Sano CC and the Kansai Chargers.

He has represented Japan across several ICC tournament cycles, including the ICC Men's T20 World Cup Sub-Regional EAP Qualifiers and the ACC Challenger Cup.