On January 13, 2010, Sugasawa debuted for the Japan national team against Denmark. In July, she was selected the Japan U-20 national team for 2010 U-20 World Cup and she played 2 matches. She then scored the first goal for Japan senior team in a 2–0 victory over Denmark on March 2, 2012 which won the 2012 Algarve Cup. She was a member of Japan for 2015 World Cup and Japan won the 2nd place. In Asia, she was also a member for 2014 and 2018 Asian Cup. Japan won the championship at both tournaments.