From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Japan |
|
Nickname(s) |
Nippon Daihyo(日本代表)
Okada Japan(岡田ジャパン)[1] |
Association |
Japan Football Association |
Confederation |
AFC (Asia) |
Head coach |
Takeshi Okada |
Captain |
Yoshikatsu Kawaguchi |
Most caps |
Masami Ihara (122) |
Top scorer |
Kunishige Kamamoto (73) |
FIFA code |
JPN |
FIFA ranking |
38 |
Highest FIFA ranking |
9 (February 1998) |
Lowest FIFA ranking |
62 (February 2000) |
Elo ranking |
28 |
Highest Elo ranking |
8 (August 2001, March 2002) |
Lowest Elo ranking |
112 (September 1962) |
|
First international |
Japan 0 - 5 Republic of China
(Tokyo, Japan; May 9, 1917) |
Biggest win |
Japan 15 - 0 Philippines
(Tokyo, Japan; September 27, 1967) |
Biggest defeat |
Japan 2 - 15 Philippines
(Tokyo, Japan; September 10, 1917) |
World Cup |
Appearances |
3 (First in 1998) |
Best result |
Round 2, 2002 |
AFC Asian Cup |
Appearances |
6 (First in 1988) |
Best result |
Winners, 1992, 2000, 2004 |
Confederations Cup |
Appearances |
4 (First in 1995) |
Best result |
2nd, 2001 |
The Japan national football team is the national football team of Japan and is controlled by the Japan Football Association.
On July 21, 2006, Bosnian Ivica Osim, who previously coached Yugoslavia and most recently JEF United Ichihara Chiba, took over as manager, succeeding Zico, who had coached Japan from 2002 through the end of Japan's 2006 FIFA World Cup campaign. Osim fell ill in late 2007 and he was replaced by Takeshi Okada, who had taken Japan to the 1998 World Cup.[2]
The team is commonly known by the fans and media as Nippon Daihyo (日本代表 "Japanese representatives"), Daihyo (代表 "representatives". Although the team does not have an official nickname, it is often known by the name of the manager. For example, under Ivica Osim, the team is known as Osim Japan. Recently the team has been known or nicknamed as the Blue Samurai.
Japan has qualified for the last three consecutive World Cup finals and is a three-time Asian Cup trophy winner.
[edit] History
Japan's first major achievement in international football came in the 1968 Summer Olympics in Mexico City, where the team won the bronze medal. Although this result earned the sport increased recognition in Japan, the absence of a professional domestic league hindered its growth and Japan would not qualify for the FIFA World Cup until 30 years later.[3]
In 1991, the owners of the semi-professional Japan Soccer League agreed to disband the league and re-form as the professional J. League, partly to raise the sport's profile and to strengthen the national team program. With the launch of the new league in 1993, interest in football and the national team grew.
However, in its first attempt to qualify with professional players, Japan narrowly missed a ticket to the 1994 FIFA World Cup after failing to beat Iraq in the final match of the qualification round, remembered by fans as the Agony of Doha.
The nation's first FIFA World Cup appearance was in 1998, where they lost all three matches. Japan's first two fixtures went 1-0 in favor of Argentina and Croatia, despite playing well in both games. Their campaign ended with an unexpected 2-1 defeat to rank outsiders Jamaica.
Four years later, Japan co-hosted the 2002 FIFA World Cup with South Korea. Despite being held to a 2-2 draw by Belgium in their opening game, the Japanese team advanced to the second round with a 1-0 win over Russia and a 2-0 victory against Tunisia. However, they subsequently exited the tournament during the Round of 16, after losing 1-0 to eventual third-place finishers Turkey.
On June 8, 2005, Japan qualified for the 2006 FIFA World Cup in Germany, its third consecutive World Cup, by beating North Korea 2-0 in Bangkok, Thailand. However, Japan failed to advance to the Round of 16 after finishing group play without a win, losing to Australia 1-3, drawing Croatia 0-0 and losing to Brazil 1-4.
Japan has had considerably more success in the Asian Cup, taking home the winner's trophy in three of the last four finals, in 1992, 2000 and 2004. Their principal continental rivals are South Korea, followed by Iran and Saudi Arabia.
Japan is the only team from outside the Americas to participate in the Copa América, being invited in 1999, along with Mexico.
In August 2006, incoming head coach Ivica Osim gave the captaincy to Yoshikatsu Kawaguchi, as he felt that the extra responsibilities detracted from former captain Tsuneyasu Miyamoto's contributions to his club team.
[edit] Competition Records
[edit] FIFA World Cup Record
FIFA World Cup Record |
Year |
Round |
Position |
GP |
W |
D* |
L |
GS |
GA |
1930 |
Did Not Enter |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
1934 |
Did Not Enter |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
1938 |
Withdrew |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
1950 |
Banned |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
1954 |
Did Not Qualify |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
1958 |
Did Not Enter |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
1962 |
Did Not Qualify |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
1966 |
Did Not Enter |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
1970 |
Did Not Qualify |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
1974 |
Did Not Qualify |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
1978 |
Did Not Qualify |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
1982 |
Did Not Qualify |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
1986 |
Did Not Qualify |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
1990 |
Did Not Qualify |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
1994 |
Did Not Qualify |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
1998 |
Round 1 |
31 |
3 |
0 |
0 |
3 |
1 |
4 |
2002 |
Round 2 |
9 |
4 |
2 |
1 |
1 |
5 |
3 |
2006 |
Round 1 |
28 |
3 |
0 |
1 |
2 |
2 |
7 |
Total |
3/18 |
- |
10 |
2 |
2 |
6 |
8 |
14 |
|
|
[edit] FIFA Confederations Cup Record
FIFA Confederations Cup Record |
Year |
Round |
Position |
GP |
W |
D* |
L |
GS |
GA |
1992 |
Did Not Qualify |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
1995 |
Round 1 |
6/6 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
2 |
1 |
8 |
1997 |
Did Not Qualify |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
1999 |
Did Not Qualify |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
2001 |
Runners-up |
2/8 |
5 |
3 |
1 |
1 |
6 |
1 |
2003 |
Round 1 |
6/8 |
3 |
1 |
0 |
2 |
4 |
3 |
2005 |
Round 1 |
5/8 |
3 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
4 |
4 |
2009 |
Did Not Qualify |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
Total |
4/8 |
1 Runners-up |
13 |
5 |
2 |
6 |
15 |
16 |
|
|
[edit] AFC Asian Cup Record
AFC Asian Cup Record |
Year |
Round |
Position |
GP |
W |
D* |
L |
GS |
GA |
1956 |
Did Not Enter |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
1960 |
Did Not Enter |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
1964 |
Did Not Enter |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
1968 |
Did Not Qualify |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
1972 |
Did Not Enter |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
1976 |
Did Not Qualify |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
1980 |
Did Not Enter |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
1984 |
Did Not Enter |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
1988 |
Round 1 |
10/10 |
4 |
0 |
1 |
3 |
0 |
6 |
1992 |
Champions |
1/8 |
5 |
3 |
2 |
0 |
6 |
3 |
1996 |
Quarter-finals |
7/12 |
4 |
3 |
0 |
1 |
7 |
3 |
2000 |
Champions |
1/12 |
6 |
5 |
1 |
0 |
21 |
6 |
2004 |
Champions |
1/16 |
6 |
4 |
2 |
0 |
13 |
6 |
2007 |
Fourth Place |
4/16 |
6 |
2 |
3 |
1 |
11 |
7 |
Total |
6/14 |
3 Titles |
31 |
17 |
8 |
5 |
58 |
31 |
- *Denotes draws include knockout matches decided on penalty kicks.
[edit] East Asian Cup record
[edit] Olympic Games Record
Olympic Games Record |
Year |
Round |
Position |
GP |
W |
D* |
L |
GS |
GA |
1900 |
Did Not Enter |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
1904 |
Did Not Enter |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
1908 |
Did Not Enter |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
1912 |
''Did Not Enter |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
1920 |
Did Not Enter |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
1924 |
Did Not Enter |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
1928 |
Did Not Enter |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
1936 |
Quarter-finals |
8/16 |
2 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
3 |
10 |
1948 |
Banned |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
1952 |
Did Not Enter |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
1956 |
Round 1 |
10/11 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
2 |
1960 |
Did Not Qualify |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
1964 |
Quarter-finals |
8/14 |
3 |
1 |
0 |
2 |
5 |
9 |
1968 |
Third Place |
3/16 |
6 |
3 |
2 |
1 |
9 |
8 |
1972 |
Did Not Qualify |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
1976 |
Did Not Qualify |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
1980 |
Did Not Qualify |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
1984 |
Did Not Qualify |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
1988 |
Did Not Qualify |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
1992 |
Did Not Qualify |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
1996 |
Round 1 |
9/16 |
3 |
2 |
0 |
1 |
4 |
4 |
2000 |
Quarter-finals |
5/16 |
4 |
2 |
1 |
1 |
6 |
5 |
2004 |
Round 1 |
13/16 |
3 |
1 |
0 |
2 |
6 |
7 |
2008 |
Qualified |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
Total |
8/24 |
1 Third Place |
22 |
10 |
3 |
9 |
33 |
45 |
- *Denotes draws include knockout matches decided on penalty kicks.
|
|
Japan's home dress does not match its national flag as it consists of a blue jersey, white shorts, and blue socks. The away kit consists of a white jersey, blue shorts, and white socks. However, Japan formerly wore white and red which matched its national flag.
[edit] Top goalscorers
As of June 10, 2008
* The players in bold typeface are still active in football.
[edit] Most Capped
As of June 10, 2008
* The players in bold typeface are still active in football.
[edit] Schedule and recent results
Matches under Takeshi Okada , as well as any future scheduled matches.
Date |
Opponent |
Result |
Score1 |
Venue |
Competition |
January 26, 2008 |
Chile |
D |
0-0 |
National Stadium, Tokyo |
Friendly Match (Kirin Challenge Cup 2008) |
January 30, 2008 |
Bosnia and Herzegovina |
W |
3-0 |
National Stadium, Tokyo |
Friendly Match (Kirin Challenge Cup 2008) |
February 6, 2008 |
Thailand |
W |
4-1 |
Saitama Stadium, Saitama |
2010 FIFA World Cup Qualification |
February 17, 2008 |
Korea DPR |
D |
1-1 |
Olympic Sports Center, Chongqing, China |
East Asian Cup 2008 |
February 20, 2008 |
China PR |
W |
1-0 |
Olympic Sports Center, Chongqing, China |
East Asian Cup 2008 |
February 23, 2008 |
Korea Republic |
D |
1-1 |
Olympic Sports Center, Chongqing, China |
East Asian Cup 2008 |
March 26, 2008 |
Bahrain |
L |
0-1 |
Bahrain National Stadium, Riffa, Bahrain |
2010 FIFA World Cup Qualification |
May 24, 2008 |
Côte d'Ivoire |
W |
1-0 |
Toyota Stadium, Toyota |
Kirin Cup 2008 |
May 27, 2008 |
Paraguay |
D |
0-0 |
Saitama Stadium, Saitama |
Kirin Cup 2008 |
June 2, 2008 |
Oman |
W |
3-0 |
International Stadium, Yokohama |
2010 FIFA World Cup Qualification |
June 7, 2008 |
Oman |
D |
1-1 |
Royal Oman Police Stadium, Muscat, Oman |
2010 FIFA World Cup Qualification |
June 14, 2008 |
Thailand |
|
|
Rajamangala National Stadium, Bangkok, Thailand |
2010 FIFA World Cup Qualification |
June 22, 2008 |
Bahrain |
|
|
Saitama Stadium, Saitama |
2010 FIFA World Cup Qualification |
August 20, 2008 |
Uruguay |
|
|
TBD |
Friendly Match |
August 31, 2008 |
TBD |
|
|
TBD |
Friendly Match |
October 11, 2008 |
TBD |
|
|
TBD |
Friendly Match |
January, 2009 |
TBD |
|
|
TBD |
Friendly Match |
January, 2009 |
TBD |
|
|
TBD |
2011 AFC Asian Cup qualification |
1 Japan score always listed first
[edit] Current squad
[edit] Latest squad selected (2010 FIFA World Cup Qualification)
As of June 3, 2008.
No. |
Pos. |
Player |
DoB (Age) |
Caps |
Goals |
Club |
|
GK |
Yoshikatsu Kawaguchi |
August 15, 1975 (1975-08-15) (age 32) |
114 |
0 |
Júbilo Iwata |
|
GK |
Seigo Narazaki |
April 11, 1976 (1976-04-11) (age 32) |
56 |
0 |
Nagoya Grampus |
|
GK |
Eiji Kawashima |
March 20, 1983 (1983-03-20) (age 25) |
1 |
0 |
Kawasaki Frontale |
|
DF |
Shuhei Terada |
June 23, 1975 (1975-06-23) (age 32) |
1 |
0 |
Kawasaki Frontale |
|
DF |
Yūichi Komano |
June 25, 1981 (1981-06-25) (age 26) |
36 |
0 |
Júbilo Iwata |
|
DF |
Marcus Tulio Tanaka |
April 24, 1981 (1981-04-24) (age 27) |
12 |
2 |
Urawa Red Diamonds |
|
DF |
Yuji Nakazawa |
February 25, 1978 (1978-02-25) (age 30) |
75 |
14 |
Yokohama F. Marinos |
|
DF |
Yusuke Igawa |
October 30, 1982 (1982-10-30) (age 25) |
0 |
0 |
Kawasaki Frontale |
|
DF |
Atsuto Uchida |
March 27, 1988 (1988-03-27) (age 20) |
6 |
0 |
Kashima Antlers |
|
DF |
Yuto Nagatomo |
September 21, 1986 (1986-09-21) (age 21) |
3 |
0 |
F.C. Tokyo |
|
DF |
Kazumichi Takagi |
November 21, 1980 (1980-11-21) (age 27) |
0 |
0 |
Shimizu S-Pulse |
|
MF |
Yasuyuki Konno |
January 25, 1983 (1983-01-25) (age 25) |
21 |
0 |
F.C. Tokyo |
|
MF |
Yasuhito Endo |
January 28, 1980 (1980-01-28) (age 28) |
67 |
5 |
Gamba Osaka |
|
MF |
Koji Yamase |
September 22, 1981 (1981-09-22) (age 26) |
9 |
5 |
Yokohama F. Marinos |
|
MF |
Daisuke Matsui |
May 11, 1981 (1981-05-11) (age 27) |
9 |
1 |
AS Saint-Étienne |
|
MF |
Shunsuke Nakamura |
June 24, 1978 (1978-06-24) (age 29) |
75 |
21 |
Celtic F.C. |
|
MF |
Keita Suzuki |
July 8, 1981 (1981-07-08) (age 26) |
28 |
0 |
Urawa Red Diamonds |
|
MF |
Kengo Nakamura |
October 24, 1980 (1980-10-24) (age 27) |
23 |
1 |
Kawasaki Frontale |
|
MF |
Makoto Hasebe |
January 18, 1984 (1984-01-18) (age 24) |
9 |
0 |
VfL Wolfsburg |
|
MF |
Shinji Kagawa |
March 17, 1989 (1989-03-17) (age 19) |
2 |
0 |
Cerezo Osaka |
|
FW |
Keiji Tamada |
April 11, 1980 (1980-04-11) (age 28) |
44 |
10 |
Nagoya Grampus |
|
FW |
Seiichiro Maki |
August 7, 1980 (1980-08-07) (age 27) |
32 |
8 |
JEF United Ichihara Chiba |
|
FW |
Yoshito Okubo |
June 9, 1982 (1982-06-09) (age 26) |
28 |
4 |
Vissel Kobe |
|
FW |
Kisho Yano |
April 5, 1984 (1984-04-05) (age 24) |
10 |
1 |
Albirex Niigata |
|
[edit] Recent Call Ups
The following players have also been called up to the Japan squad within the last twelve months.
- Goalkeepers
- Defenders
Player |
DoB/Age |
Caps |
Goals |
Team |
Most Recent Call up |
Yuki Abe |
September 6, 1981 (1981-09-06) (age 26) |
29 |
2 |
Urawa Red Diamonds |
2010 FIFA World Cup qualification, June 2008 |
Michihiro Yasuda |
December 20, 1987 (1987-12-20) (age 20) |
4 |
0 |
Gamba Osaka |
Kirin Cup, May 2008 |
Yuzo Kurihara |
September 18, 1983 (1983-09-18) (age 24) |
1 |
0 |
Yokohama F. Marinos |
Training session, April 2008 |
Yuhei Tokunaga |
September 25, 1983 (1983-09-25) (age 24) |
0 |
0 |
F.C. Tokyo |
Training session, April 2008 |
Hiroki Mizumoto |
September 12, 1985 (1985-09-12) (age 22) |
3 |
0 |
Gamba Osaka |
2010 FIFA World Cup qualification, March 2008 |
Akira Kaji |
January 13, 1980 (1980-01-13) (age 28) |
64 |
2 |
Gamba Osaka |
East Asian Cup 2008, February 2008 |
Daiki Iwamasa |
January 30, 1982 (1982-01-30) (age 26) |
0 |
0 |
Kashima Antlers |
East Asian Cup 2008, February 2008 |
Keisuke Tsuboi |
September 16, 1979 (1979-09-16) (age 28) |
40 |
0 |
Urawa Red Diamonds |
v. Thailand, February 6, 2008 |
Naoaki Aoyama |
July 18, 1986 (1986-07-18) (age 21) |
0 |
0 |
Shimizu S-Pulse |
Training session, January 2008 |
- Midfielders
Player |
DoB/Age |
Caps |
Goals |
Team |
Most Recent Call up |
Naotake Hanyu |
December 22, 1979 (1979-12-22) (age 28) |
17 |
0 |
F.C. Tokyo |
Training session, April 2008 (declined) |
Satoru Yamagishi |
May 3, 1983 (1983-05-03) (age 25) |
11 |
0 |
Kawasaki Frontale |
Training session, April 2008 |
Naoshi Nakamura |
January 27, 1979 (1979-01-27) (age 29) |
1 |
0 |
Nagoya Grampus |
Training session, April 2008 |
Norihiro Nishi |
May 9, 1980 (1980-05-09) (age 28) |
5 |
0 |
Júbilo Iwata |
Training session, April 2008 |
Takehito Shigehara |
October 6, 1981 (1981-10-06) (age 26) |
0 |
0 |
- |
Training session, April 2008 |
Junichi Inamoto |
September 18, 1979 (1979-09-18) (age 28) |
68 |
4 |
Eintracht Frankfurt |
2010 FIFA World Cup qualification, March 2008 (declined) |
Hideo Hashimoto |
May 21, 1979 (1979-05-21) (age 29) |
6 |
0 |
Gamba Osaka |
East Asian Cup 2008, February 2008 |
Koki Mizuno |
September 6, 1985 (1985-09-06) (age 22) |
4 |
0 |
Celtic F.C. |
Training session, January 2008 |
Keisuke Honda |
June 13, 1986 (1986-06-13) (age 22) |
0 |
0 |
VVV-Venlo |
Training session, December 19, 2007 |
Jungo Fujimoto |
March 24, 1984 (1984-03-24) (age 24) |
3 |
0 |
Shimizu S-Pulse |
v. Egypt, October 17, 2007 |
Yoshiaki Ota |
June 11, 1983 (1983-06-11) (age 25) |
0 |
0 |
Júbilo Iwata |
2007 AFC Asian Cup Finals |
Masahiko Inoha |
August 28, 1985 (1985-08-28) (age 22) |
0 |
0 |
Kashima Antlers |
2007 AFC Asian Cup Finals |
- Forwards
Player |
DoB/Age |
Caps |
Goals |
Team |
Most Recent Call up |
Naohiro Takahara |
June 4, 1979 (1979-06-04) (age 29) |
57 |
23 |
Urawa Red Diamonds |
2010 FIFA World Cup qualification, June 2008 (declined) |
Ryoichi Maeda |
October 9, 1981 (1981-10-09) (age 26) |
3 |
2 |
Júbilo Iwata |
Kirin Cup 2008, May 2008 (declined) |
Yuichiro Nagai |
February 14, 1979 (1979-02-14) (age 29) |
4 |
1 |
Urawa Red Diamonds |
Training session, April 2008 |
Shingo Akamine |
December 8, 1983 (1983-12-08) (age 24) |
0 |
0 |
F.C. Tokyo |
Training session, April 2008 |
Daiki Takamatsu |
September 8, 1981 (1981-09-08) (age 26) |
2 |
0 |
Oita Trinita |
Training session, April 2008 (declined) |
Yuzo Tashiro |
July 22, 1982 (1982-07-22) (age 25) |
3 |
0 |
Kashima Antlers |
2010 FIFA World Cup qualification, March 2008 |
Ryuji Bando |
August 2, 1979 (1979-08-02) (age 28) |
7 |
2 |
Gamba Osaka |
East Asian Cup 2008, February 2008 |
Hisato Satō |
March 12, 1982 (1982-03-12) (age 26) |
19 |
3 |
Sanfrecce Hiroshima |
v. Switzerland, September 11, 2007 |
Tatsuya Tanaka |
November 27, 1982 (1982-11-27) (age 25) |
8 |
1 |
Urawa Red Diamonds |
v. Switzerland, September 11, 2007 |
[edit] Former players
[edit] World Cup Rosters
[edit] Asian Cup Rosters
[edit] Confederations Cup Rosters
[edit] Summer Olympics Rosters
[edit] Youth National Team
[edit] FIFA U-20 World Cup record
[edit] FIFA U-17 World Cup record
[edit] AFC Youth Championship Record
- 1992 : 3rd Place
- 1994 : Runners-up
- 1996 : 4th Place
- 1998 : Runners-up
- 2000 : Runners-up
- 2002 : Runners-up
- 2004 : 3rd Place
- 2006 : Runners-up
- 2008 : Qualified
[edit] AFC U-17 Championship Record
[edit] Licensing for Video Games
The Japanese national team is currently licensed only for portrayal in video games by Konami (for example, Winning Eleven), and thus does not appear in the FIFA series of football videogames made by EA, or SEGA/Sports Interactive's Football Manager games (although the Japanese national team has been featured in FIFA International Soccer until FIFA 2002 and all the FIFA World Cup Games also made by EA).
[edit] See also
[edit] References
[edit] External links
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Seasons in Japan national football team
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1993 | 1994 | 1995 | 1996 | 1997 | 1998 | 1999 | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007
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National sports teams of Japan
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