1. Early Life and Junior Career
Masahiko Harada was born on May 9, 1968, in Kamikawa, Hokkaido, a town known for its heavy snowfall. He grew up in a family of four, with his parents and an older brother, in a household where his father ran a small construction company. Skiing was an integral part of daily life for Harada, who lived near a ski resort and spent almost every winter day on skis.
1.1. Childhood and Education
Harada began ski jumping at the age of eight, during his third year of elementary school, joining a local junior jumping club. He quickly became captivated by the sport. His initial jump covered approximately 23 ft (7 m) from a small, 66 ft (20 m) hill, which he later described as more of a fall than a jump, but one that felt like flying and was an incredibly exhilarating experience. Throughout his school years, he showed significant promise in the sport. While attending Kamikawa Middle School, he secured two victories at the national middle school championships. He further continued his success at Tokai University Fourth High School (now Tokai University Sapporo High School), where he won the Inter-High School Championship.
1.2. Professional Debut
After graduating from high school, Harada pursued his dream of joining Yukijirushi Milk Industry (later Yukijirushi Megmilk), a company renowned for its corporate sports teams, which he had admired since childhood, particularly due to its association with Seiji Aochi, a bronze medalist at the 1972 Winter Olympics in Sapporo. Aochi was one of the first Japanese medalists who, alongside Yukio Kasaya and Akitsugu Konno, led to the Japanese ski jumping team being nicknamed "Hinomaru Hikotai" (日の丸飛行隊, lit. "Flying Squad of the Rising Sun"). Harada joined the company in 1987. At the time of his entry into the professional circuit, Harada's skills were sufficient to earn him a spot on the Japanese national team, but he was not yet at the global elite level. To bridge this gap, he began experimenting with the then-innovative "V-jump" style, which involved opening his skis into a V-shape during flight. This technical adaptation significantly improved his jumping distance and allowed him to distinguish himself. His dedication led to his first Olympic appearance at the 1992 Winter Olympics in Albertville at the age of 23.
2. Ski Jumping Career
Throughout the 1990s, Masahiko Harada became a prominent figure in Japanese ski jumping, representing Japan in five consecutive Winter Olympics from 1992 to 2006. He secured a remarkable nine medals across the Olympic Games and FIS Nordic World Ski Championships, establishing a record for the most medals by a Japanese athlete in these competitions. He also achieved nine individual victories in the FIS Ski Jumping World Cup, ranking him fourth all-time among Japanese jumpers.
2.1. Olympic Games
Masahiko Harada participated in five Winter Olympic Games. His Olympic journey was marked by moments of both profound disappointment and exhilarating triumph, particularly at the 1994 Lillehammer and 1998 Nagano Games, which became defining points of his career.
2.1.1. 1994 Lillehammer Winter Olympics
At the 1994 Lillehammer Olympics, Harada entered the competition as a strong favorite, a position that brought immense pressure. The most notable event for him was the large hill team competition. The Japanese team held a commanding lead of 55 points over Germany heading into the final jump, with only Harada, the team's anchor, left to jump. The German ace, Jens Weißflog, had just delivered an impressive jump of 445 ft (135.5 m). Harada needed to clear at least 344 ft (105 m) to secure the gold medal for Japan (the K-point of the hill was 394 ft (120 m)).
However, the overwhelming pressure seemingly took its toll. As Harada stood at the top of the ramp, he felt a sensation unlike his usual self. His final jump measured only 320 ft (97.5 m), a significant failure that allowed Germany to snatch the gold medal, leaving Japan with the silver. Immediately after landing, Harada collapsed to the ground, burying his face in his hands in despair. His teammates, Noriaki Kasai, Jinya Nishikata, and Takanobu Okabe, quickly rushed to console him, encouraging him to be proud of the silver medal, which he later said allowed him to stand up again. This failure deeply affected Harada, leading to intense public criticism and over a year of harassment, including persistent complaints to his home. In addition to the team event, Harada also made crucial errors in his second jumps in the individual normal hill (179 ft (54.5 m)) and individual large hill (331 ft (101 m)) events, causing him to drop in standings in both.
2.1.2. 1998 Nagano Winter Olympics
Four years after the Lillehammer setback, Masahiko Harada faced his ultimate test at the 1998 Nagano Olympics, held in his home country. Despite being a reigning World Champion, public discourse in Japan often questioned his ability to perform under pressure in major competitions. Harada himself acknowledged the immense responsibility of winning a gold medal at home.
In the individual normal hill event, Harada recorded the longest jump in the first round, covering 300 ft (91.5 m) and leading the competition. However, his second jump was marred by an inexplicable interruption and unfavorable wind conditions, causing him to lose distance and ultimately finish in fifth place.
In the individual large hill event, Harada's first jump measured 394 ft (120 m), which was a modest distance for him despite strong headwind conditions. He attributed this to anxiety over excessive speed (which had impacted his normal hill performance) and stiffness carried over from previous events, resulting in a mistimed takeoff. He was in sixth place after the first round. However, in his second jump, he delivered the longest jump of the competition, exceeding the automated measurement limit of 443 ft (135 m). The official measurement, revealed about ten minutes after the final jumper, confirmed a jump of 446 ft (136 m) (or 449 ft (137 m) according to some sources), allowing him to secure the bronze medal by a mere 0.1 point over Andreas Widhölzl, who was in fourth place.
The team large hill event at Nagano became a defining moment of redemption. Harada, jumping in the third group for Japan, faced extremely heavy snowfall and poor visibility during his first jump. Snow accumulating on the in-run caused his skis to slow down (unlike modern facilities, there were no blowers in 1998 to clear the in-run). His takeoff speed was 54 mph (87.1 km/h), more than 1.9 mph (3 km/h) slower than the fastest in his group and 1.1 mph (1.8 km/h) slower than Hansjörg Jäkle of Germany. His jump measured only 261 ft (79.5 m), triggering widespread anxiety among Japanese spectators who recalled the Lillehammer disaster. While not technically a failed jump (his landing was only penalized for not achieving telemark due to the steep landing angle), the short distance dropped Japan from first to second, and then to fourth after the first round, as other nations' jumpers recorded longer distances. Head coach Manabu Ono protested the speed difference but was rejected. Teammate Takanobu Okabe later defended Harada, stating that given the harsh conditions, other jumpers (like himself or Funaki) who relied on lower, sharper takeoffs would have fallen much shorter.
A crucial decision followed: whether to continue the competition for a second round. Test jumpers, including Jinya Nishikata, Ryuji Takahashi, and Yoshie Kasai, performed flawlessly in the harsh conditions, proving the hill was safe. This led the competition committee to allow the second round to proceed. With renewed determination, Harada launched his second jump, famously saying he would "jump even if he fractured both legs" (a phrase originally meant for his individual large hill second jump). He achieved a phenomenal 449 ft (137 m), the longest jump of the event, albeit not a technically beautiful one. This monumental jump was a turning point. NHK commentator Genji Wada exclaimed, "Harada flew to another world!" Overwhelmed with relief and emotion, Harada collapsed, weeping, yet managed to shout encouragement to the next jumper, Kazuyoshi Funaki, "Funaki! Funaki!" In the subsequent emotional interview, he spoke through tears, saying, "But you know, today is Nagano," and "we passed the baton among the four of us." He also expressed the immense pain of his first jump, feeling he had let everyone down again, but concluded, "But it's an open-air stadium, so it can't be helped." Psychologically, his state was described as "destruction." The team went on to win Japan's first Olympic ski jumping team gold medal, with Funaki clinching it with a 410 ft (125 m) jump. Harada later reflected that the feeling of standing on the podium with his teammates was something he would never forget. Notably, Harada recorded the longest jump in all three events he participated in at the Nagano Olympics: individual normal hill, individual large hill, and the team large hill.
2.1.3. Other Olympic Appearances
In addition to Lillehammer and Nagano, Harada competed in three other Winter Olympics.
At the 1992 Winter Olympics in Albertville, his Olympic debut, Harada secured a fourth-place finish in the individual large hill, marking the first time in three Olympic Games that a Japanese ski jumper placed in the top tier. He also finished 14th in the individual normal hill and was part of the team that placed fourth in the large hill team event (with Jiro Kamiharada, Noriaki Kasai, and Kenji Suda). Harada later recalled that these Games were the most enjoyable for him, as he felt no pressure and was thrilled to showcase his abilities on the world stage.
He continued his Olympic journey at the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, his fourth appearance. By this time, at 33, his performance had gradually declined. He finished 20th in both individual normal and large hill events and was part of the team that placed fifth in the large hill team event (with Hideharu Miyahira, Daiki Yamada, and Kazuyoshi Funaki).
Harada made his fifth and final Olympic appearance at the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin, Italy, at the age of 37. Despite a period of low performance since the 2003 season, he found a resurgence in form just before the Games, securing a second-place finish in a Continental Cup event (individual normal hill in St. Moritz). He was selected for the Japanese team. However, his participation was cut short. In the qualifying round for the individual normal hill, he jumped 312 ft (95 m) but was subsequently disqualified due to a violation of the International Ski Federation (FIS) rules regarding ski length relative to body mass index (BMI). The rule, introduced in 2005, stipulated that for an athlete of Harada's registered height of 69 in (174 cm), the maximum ski length permitted was 100 in (254 cm), provided the athlete weighed at least 134 lb (61 kg) (including suit and boots). If the weight was insufficient, the maximum ski length was capped at 99 in (251 cm). Harada's skis measured 100 in (253 cm), but his weight was found to be 134 lb (60.8 kg), just 7.1 oz (200 g) short of the requirement for that ski length.
Despite this, Japanese official records from the same season listed Harada's height as 68 in (173 cm), which would have allowed him to use 100 in (253 cm) skis if his weight was 132 lb (60 kg) or more. Furthermore, he had passed inspection using the same skis during official practice sessions at the Turin Games. Harada publicly stated that it was his own fundamental mistake and apologized for the incident, declining to offer any excuses or complaints. This incident raised questions about whether the Japanese team's verification and support processes for athletes were inadequate, as it appeared the responsibility for such checks was left solely to individual athletes. The exact reason for the discrepancy in his registered height at the Turin Olympics remains unclear.
2.2. FIS Nordic World Ski Championships
Masahiko Harada achieved significant success at the FIS Nordic World Ski Championships, notably becoming the only Japanese ski jumper to win two individual gold medals in the history of the championships. In total, he earned six medals at the World Championships.
His first individual world title came at the 1993 FIS Nordic World Ski Championships in Falun, Sweden, where he won the individual normal hill event. At the same championships, he finished fourth in the individual large hill and was part of the Japanese team (with Kenji Suda, Takanobu Okabe, and Noriaki Kasai) that placed fifth in the large hill team event.
At the 1997 FIS Nordic World Ski Championships in Trondheim, Norway, Harada secured his second individual gold medal in the large hill event, marking a historic achievement as the first Japanese athlete to win a large hill title at either the Olympics or World Championships. His performance at Trondheim was exceptional, as he medaled in all events he competed in. He also won a silver medal in the individual normal hill and another silver in the large hill team event, alongside teammates Kazuyoshi Funaki, Takanobu Okabe, and Hiroya Saitō.
Harada continued his medal haul at the 1999 FIS Nordic World Ski Championships in Ramsau, Austria. He earned a bronze medal in the individual normal hill and another silver medal in the large hill team event, competing with Noriaki Kasai, Hideharu Miyahira, and Kazuyoshi Funaki. He also finished sixth in the individual large hill.
Earlier in his career, he competed at the 1991 FIS Nordic World Ski Championships in Val di Fiemme, Italy, where he placed 15th in the individual normal hill and 17th in the individual large hill. At the 1995 FIS Nordic World Ski Championships in Thunder Bay, Canada, he struggled, finishing 52nd in the individual normal hill. His last appearance was at the 2001 FIS Nordic World Ski Championships in Lahti, Finland, where he placed fifth in the individual normal hill, 33rd in the individual large hill, and was part of the teams that finished fourth in both the normal hill and large hill team events.
2.3. FIS Ski Jumping World Cup
Masahiko Harada competed actively in the FIS Ski Jumping World Cup from the 1986-87 season until 2002-03, with a break between 1987-88 and 1989-90. He achieved a total of nine individual World Cup wins, three individual second-place finishes, and nine individual third-place finishes. He also contributed to three team World Cup victories, two second-place team finishes, and two third-place team finishes. His first World Cup appearance was on January 24, 1987, in Sapporo, Japan, where he finished 15th. His final World Cup appearance was on December 15, 2002, in Titisee-Neustadt, Germany. His best overall season standing was fourth place in the 1997-98 season.
2.3.1. Season Standings
| Season | Overall | Four Hills Tournament | Ski Flying | Nordic Tournament |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1986/87 | 85 | - | N/A | N/A |
| 1987/88 | - | 80 | N/A | N/A |
| 1989/90 | 52 | - | N/A | N/A |
| 1990/91 | - | 61 | - | N/A |
| 1991/92 | 29 | - | - | N/A |
| 1992/93 | 16 | 6 | - | N/A |
| 1993/94 | 15 | 21 | - | N/A |
| 1994/95 | 59 | 64 | - | N/A |
| 1995/96 | 5 | 18 | - | N/A |
| 1996/97 | 29 | 42 | - | 13 |
| 1997/98 | 4 | 10 | 21 | 13 |
| 1998/99 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 18 |
| 1999/00 | 11 | 6 | 15 | 53 |
| 2000/01 | 26 | 21 | 50 | 53 |
| 2001/02 | 38 | 31 | N/A | 59 |
| 2002/03 | - | - | N/A | - |
2.3.2. Individual Wins
Harada secured a total of 9 individual World Cup victories throughout his career.
| No. | Season | Date | Location | Hill | Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1995/96 | 8 December 1995 | Villach, Austria | Villacher Alpenarena K90 | NH |
| 2 | 18 February 1996 | Iron Mountain, United States | Pine Mountain Ski Jump K120 | LH | |
| 3 | 1 March 1996 | Lahti, Finland | Salpausselkä K90 | NH | |
| 4 | 3 March 1996 | Lahti, Finland | Salpausselkä K114 | LH | |
| 5 | 1997/98 | 8 December 1997 | Villach, Austria | Villacher Alpenarena K90 | NH |
| 6 | 12 December 1997 | Harrachov, Czech Republic | Čerťák K90 | NH | |
| 7 | 21 December 1997 | Engelberg, Switzerland | Gross-Titlis-Schanze K120 | LH | |
| 8 | 11 January 1998 | Ramsau, Austria | Mattenschanze K90 | NH | |
| 9 | 13 March 1998 | Trondheim, Norway | Granåsen K120 | LH |
2.3.3. Team Wins
Harada was part of three winning teams in World Cup events.
| Team World Cup Wins | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. | Season | Date | Location | Event | Team Members |
| 1 | 1992/93 | March 27 | Planica, Slovenia | LH | Masahiko Harada, Noriaki Kasai, Takanobu Okabe, Naoki Yasuzaki |
| 2 | 1995/96 | March 2 | Lahti, Finland | LH | Masahiko Harada, Jinya Nishikata, Takanobu Okabe, Hiroya Saitō |
| 3 | 2000/01 | January 19 | Park City, United States | LH | Kazuyoshi Funaki, Kazuya Yoshioka, Masahiko Harada, Noriaki Kasai |
2.4. Jumping Style and Technique
Masahiko Harada's jumping style was distinctive and unique compared to many of his peers. He employed a high-trajectory V-jump, characterized by a powerful, upward takeoff that resulted in a higher flight curve than most other jumpers. This style was only possible due to his exceptional jumping power. Its primary advantage was its effectiveness even under low in-run speed conditions, where other jumpers might lose significant distance. However, a major drawback was its susceptibility to errors if the takeoff timing was not perfectly executed, often leading to large, failed jumps. This characteristic contributed to his critical error at the 1994 Lillehammer Olympics.
Following the Lillehammer incident and his subsequent slump, Harada attempted to adapt his style, even trying to emulate Kazuyoshi Funaki's lower, sharper jump, which only exacerbated his struggles. However, around the summer of 1995, after a dismal performance at the World Championships in Thunder Bay, he decided to return to his original "high jump" approach. This return to his fundamental style, combined with positive aspects he had learned from trying the Funaki-style, led him to develop his own "Harada-type" jump. This revised style maintained the high-impact takeoff but became more forgiving of minor timing inaccuracies, reportedly increasing his timing tolerance from the typical 31 in (80 cm) for top athletes to nearly 3.3 ft (1 m).
By the 1996-97 season, after overcoming a brief period of instability, Harada's strength became overwhelming. He was able to exceed the K-point significantly even with an in-run 6.6 ft (2 m) shorter than other competitors. While this immense power sometimes meant he had to intentionally curb his distance in competitions with high approach speeds to avoid over-jumping, this very technique enabled his maximum effort in the challenging, heavy snowfall conditions during the first jump of the Nagano team event, even if the distance didn't reflect it.
Later in his career, Harada transitioned to a more conventional style adopted by many Japanese jumpers at the time, which involved minimizing takeoff motion. However, during a long slump leading up to the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin, he modified his in-run posture, adopting a sharper knee angle. This change allowed for more power, similar to a standing broad jump from a crouched position, but made directional control and timing more challenging. This essentially prioritized impact over precision. Ironically, around this period, the global mainstream of ski jumping began to shift towards the "high jump" style that Harada had pioneered, emphasizing distance in low-speed conditions. Prominent jumpers like Simon Ammann became exemplary "Harada-style" jumpers, indicating that global technique had finally caught up to his earlier innovations.
Despite a common perception that Harada's long distances and frequent inability to achieve a perfect telemark landing would result in low style points, this was not always the case. In competitions where the conditions or hill allowed for distances where he could control his landing, he received very high style points. A notable instance occurred on September 12, 1998, at the Summer Grand Prix Hakuba event, where he received a perfect score of 20.0 from all five style judges.
3. Post-Retirement Career
After announcing his retirement from competitive ski jumping on March 20, 2006, and concluding his career at the Ito Cup Season Final Okurayama Night Jump Competition on March 25, 2006, Masahiko Harada continued his long-standing affiliation with Yukijirushi (later Yukijirushi Megmilk) within their ski team.
He initially took on the role of coach for the Yukijirushi Megmilk Ski Team. In this capacity, he also frequently served as a commentator for ski jumping broadcasts, sharing his extensive knowledge and insights with the public. In April 2014, he was appointed director of the ski team, succeeding Hiroya Saitō. Harada took this role with a commitment to not compromise on standards.
In October 2015, Harada expanded his involvement in the sport's administration by joining the board of the Ski Association of Japan. This move reflected his desire to give back to the Japanese ski community, having realized the extent of support he received during his athletic career. His contributions at the organizational level continued to grow. In April 2021, he was promoted to general director of the Yukijirushi Megmilk Ski Team. In October of the same year, he was appointed general director for the Japanese delegation at the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing. Most recently, in April 2023, he transitioned to an advisory role within the Yukijirushi Megmilk Ski Team.
Beyond his direct involvement with the ski team, Harada also served as an ambassador for the 2007 FIS Nordic World Ski Championships, which were held in Sapporo, Japan. This appointment on July 12, 2006, underscored his international popularity and esteemed public image.
4. Public Image and Personal Life
Masahiko Harada's public image is largely characterized by his bright, perpetual smile, which earned him the affectionate nickname "Happy Harada" in Europe, where he was as popular as Austria's Andreas Goldberger. However, this cheerful facade belied a more reserved and sensitive personal history. As a child, Harada was known to be a crybaby and shy, but he attributes his growth into a more cheerful and resilient individual to his involvement in ski jumping. The intense pressure he experienced during the 1998 Nagano Olympics, and the subsequent emotional release after winning gold, momentarily brought back the "crybaby Harada" of his childhood, as he broke down in tears of relief.
Despite his public persona, Harada possessed a deeply serious and internal character. He was known for never making excuses or complaining, preferring to shoulder his burdens independently. While admirable, this trait sometimes hindered him from receiving appropriate guidance during slumps or led him to accept full responsibility for situations where others (like his coaches or staff) might also have been at fault, such as his disqualification at the 2006 Turin Olympics.
His career, marked by both spectacular jumps and significant failures, profoundly conveyed the thrill, difficulty, and emotional depth of ski jumping to his fans, earning him the moniker "Mr. Jump."
After his retirement, a non-profit organization named "NPO Smile Harada" was established in his hometown of Kamikawa, though he is not directly involved in its operation. However, he frequently participates as a guest of honor in events organized by the NPO, such as the "Chibikko Harada Cup Jump Competition."
Harada's loyalty to his employer, Yukijirushi Milk Industry, was a defining aspect of his professional life. Unlike some contemporaries who turned professional after Olympic success, Harada remained a company employee, deeply valuing his corporate affiliation. His company loyalty was famously demonstrated at an Olympic victory celebration when he jokingly attributed his gold medal win to the company's milk. This strong sense of loyalty was a common trait among Yukijirushi athletes.
In 2000, the Yukijirushi mass food poisoning incident occurred, a major scandal that forced Harada to make a public apology alongside company officials. The incident led to a self-imposed suspension of sports activities by the company, which also negatively impacted Harada. Although Yukijirushi Milk Industry eventually withdrew from most sports as part of its corporate restructuring, the ski jumping department was retained, allowing Harada to continue his involvement with the company as an employee.
His decision to retire in 2006 stemmed from feeling he had reached his physical limits. His final competition, held at the Okurayama Ski Jump Stadium in Sapporo, which he considered his home ground, was a heartfelt farewell. He expressed no regrets, feeling a deep sense of satisfaction from having given his all, and was profoundly touched by the large turnout of cheering fans. This experience, coupled with the realization of how much support he had received throughout his career, fueled his desire to contribute to the future of Japanese skiing, leading to his eventual involvement in the Ski Association of Japan.
In popular culture, Masahiko Harada's life and career, particularly his journey through the Lillehammer and Nagano Olympics, were notably depicted in the 2021 film Hinokoru Soul: Behind the Scenes Heroes, where he was portrayed by actor Takayuki Hamatsu.
5. Major Competition Records
Masahiko Harada's illustrious career is marked by numerous achievements in international and domestic competitions. His medal count at the Olympic Games and FIS Nordic World Ski Championships is the highest among Japanese ski jumpers.
5.1. Olympic Games
Detailed records for Masahiko Harada's participations in the Winter Olympics.
| Year | Event | Result | Teammates |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1992 Albertville | Individual Normal Hill | 14th | N/A |
| Individual Large Hill | 4th | N/A | |
| Team Large Hill | 4th | Jiro Kamiharada, Masahiko Harada, Noriaki Kasai, Kenji Suda | |
| 1994 Lillehammer | Individual Normal Hill | 55th | N/A |
| Individual Large Hill | 13th | N/A | |
| Team Large Hill | Silver | Jinya Nishikata, Takanobu Okabe, Noriaki Kasai, Masahiko Harada | |
| 1998 Nagano | Individual Normal Hill | 5th | N/A |
| Individual Large Hill | Bronze | N/A | |
| Team Large Hill | Gold | Takanobu Okabe, Hiroya Saitō, Masahiko Harada, Kazuyoshi Funaki | |
| 2002 Salt Lake City | Individual Normal Hill | 20th | N/A |
| Individual Large Hill | 20th | N/A | |
| Team Large Hill | 5th | Hideharu Miyahira, Daiki Yamada, Masahiko Harada, Kazuyoshi Funaki | |
| 2006 Turin | Individual Normal Hill | Disqualified | N/A |
5.2. FIS Nordic World Ski Championships
Detailed records for Masahiko Harada's participations in the FIS Nordic World Ski Championships.
| Year | Event | Result | Teammates |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1991 Val di Fiemme | Individual Normal Hill | 15th | N/A |
| Individual Large Hill | 17th | N/A | |
| 1993 Falun | Individual Normal Hill | Gold | N/A |
| Individual Large Hill | 4th | N/A | |
| Team Large Hill | 5th | Kenji Suda, Takanobu Okabe, Noriaki Kasai, Masahiko Harada | |
| 1995 Thunder Bay | Individual Normal Hill | 52nd | N/A |
| 1997 Trondheim | Individual Normal Hill | Silver | N/A |
| Individual Large Hill | Gold | N/A | |
| Team Large Hill | Silver | Kazuyoshi Funaki, Takanobu Okabe, Masahiko Harada, Hiroya Saitō | |
| 1999 Ramsau | Individual Normal Hill | Bronze | N/A |
| Individual Large Hill | 6th | N/A | |
| Team Large Hill | Silver | Noriaki Kasai, Hideharu Miyahira, Masahiko Harada, Kazuyoshi Funaki | |
| 2001 Lahti | Individual Normal Hill | 5th | N/A |
| Individual Large Hill | 33rd | N/A | |
| Team Normal Hill | 4th | Hideharu Miyahira, Takanobu Okabe, Masahiko Harada, Noriaki Kasai | |
| Team Large Hill | 4th | Hideharu Miyahira, Kazuya Yoshioka, Noriaki Kasai, Masahiko Harada |
5.3. FIS Ski Jumping World Cup
Summary of Masahiko Harada's individual and team World Cup records.
| Individual Overall Results (Overall: World Cup Season Individual Overall, 4H: Four Hills Tournament Overall) | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Overall | 4H | Wins | Second Places | Third Places |
| 1986/87 | 85th | - | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1987/88 | - | - | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1988/89 | - | - | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1989/90 | 52nd | - | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1990/91 | - | - | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1991/92 | 29th | - | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1992/93 | 16th | 4th | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1993/94 | 15th | - | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1994/95 | 59th | - | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1995/96 | 5th | - | 4 | 0 | 4 |
| 1996/97 | 29th | 42nd | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 1997/98 | 4th | 10th | 5 | 2 | 1 |
| 1998/99 | 9th | 8th | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| 1999/00 | 11th | 6th | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 2000/01 | 26th | 21st | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 2001/02 | 38th | 38th | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2002/03 | - | - | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total | --- | --- | 9 | 3 | 9 |
5.4. Domestic Competitions
Masahiko Harada also achieved significant victories in Japanese domestic competitions.
- All-Japan Ski Championships Normal Hill:** Wins in 1995, 1998, 2000, 2001, 2005.
- All-Japan Ski Championships Large Hill:** Wins in 1992, 1997, 1998, 2001.
- Yukijirushi Megmilk Cup All-Japan Jump Tournament (Adult Division):** Wins in 1992, 2001.
6. Awards and Recognition
Masahiko Harada has received several notable awards and recognitions for his athletic achievements and contributions to sports.
- 1997 JOC Sports Award:** Excellence Award
- 1998 JOC Sports Award:** Most Valuable Player Award
7. In Popular Culture
Masahiko Harada's impactful career, particularly his role in the 1998 Nagano Olympics, has been featured in popular culture. He was portrayed by actor Takayuki Hamatsu in the 2021 Japanese film Hinokoru Soul: Behind the Scenes Heroes, which depicted the behind-the-scenes efforts and emotional journey of the Japanese ski jumping team at the Nagano Games.