1996 Asian Winter Games

Ice hockey at the 1996 Asian Winter Games took place in the city of Harbin, People's Republic of China. The spot for the DPR Korea team, which did not participate, was filled with Kazakhstan's entry into this Winter Asiad. This edition also marks the introduction of women's ice hockey event to the Winter Asian Games.

Game summary
Each team played just one match against each of the other teams (three for men's and two for women's). A team gained two points for a win, one point for a draw and no points for a loss. The team that gained the most points was awarded the gold medal.

Winter Asiad debutante Kazakhstan easily won the men's event by defeating all of the other teams and gaining 6 points. Japan won both of their matches against China and Korea, garnering a total of 4 points. Former Winter Asiad ice hockey champions China earned only 2 points after losing to Kazakhstan and Japan while defeating Korea, which took the fourth place position.

In women's ice hockey, only teams from China, Japan and Kazakhstan played. China clinched the first-ever Winter Asiad women's ice hockey gold medal after defeating both teams. Japan took silver after defeating Kazakhstan, which took home the bronze medal.

Men's standings and results

 * Kazakhstan 4 Japan 1
 * Kazakhstan 20 China 0
 * Kazakhstan 9 South Korea 1
 * Japan 7 China 1
 * Japan 6 South Korea 1
 * China 6 South Korea 2

Women's standings and results

 * China 9 Japan 3
 * China 13 Kazakhstan 0
 * Japan 6 Kazakhstan 2