Yuzuru Hanyu
At the Japanese Championships, six strong competitors fought for three available spots on the Japanese men's world team. Takahashi came in second in short program, nine points behind Yuzuru Hanyu. Takahashi was first in free skating but finished second overall. He was named in the Japanese team for the 2013 Four Continents Championships, held in Takahashi's current hometown, and the 2013 World Championships.