The competition features the four continental champions, the host nation and a wildcard entry selected by the worldwide governing body.

Japan automatically qualify as hosts - they have staged every women's World Grand Championships Cup since the first edition in 1993 - while South Korea will compete after they were given the wildcard.

Brazil, Russia, China and the United States are the other four teams involved in the event, which sees the world's top players and teams compete for the right to be crowned as the best in the world.

Matches are due to be held at the Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium, a venue which is due to be used at the 2020 Olympic Games in the Japanese capital, and the Nippon Gaishi Hall in Nagoya.

The six competing nations will battle it out in a round-robin format, with the team who finishes top of the standings claiming the title.

Brazil come into the event, which is held every four years, as the defending champions following their triumph in 2013.

Cuba won the inagural tournament in 1993, while Russia won in 1997, China in 2001, Brazil in 2005 and Italy in 2009.

"The best teams in the world are gathered in this competition,” Brazil coach Jose Roberto Guimaraes said. 

“We have a young team and view this competition as an opportunity to learn and gain experience by competing against the best teams.”

The tournament, which concludes on Sunday, begins with the opening round of matches tomorrow.

European champions Russia are first up for Brazil, while the US play China and Japan take on South Korea.

All three matches are scheduled to be held in Tokyo.