How Japan Produces So Much Talent!
But perhaps Japan’s success in the winter tournament shouldn’t have been a surprise. They made the semi-finals at the Tokyo Olympics just 18 months earlier, beating France 4-0 en route and only losing after extra-time to a strong Spain side once they got there.
Furthermore, a number of Japanese players are putting in star performances across the top leagues. Daichi Kamada was crucial to Eintracht Frankfurt’s Europa League triumph in 2022 and is enjoying another superb season in the Bundesliga this term; Kaoru Mitoma has quickly establishing himself as one of the Premier League’s most exciting players following his move to Brighton; and Takefusa Kubo is already a pretty experienced La Liga forward at the age of 21, with his performances for Real Sociedad this season helping propel them to third, giving the Basque club real hope of qualifying for the Champions League for the first time in ten years.
These, of course, are just a few examples of what some have described as the country’s golden generation. But why did it take so long for the world’s third-largest economy to produce such a brilliant crop of players? What is the secret to their success in 2023? And what does the future hold? On today’s EFD Explained, we’re going to find out.

taipeitimes.com - Mar 30
Japanese two-way star Shohei Ohtani is to make a one-season MLB record US$65 million this year in salary and endorsements, Forbes magazine reported on Tuesday.

Kyodo - Mar 26
New sekiwake Kiribayama came from behind to win the Spring Grand Sumo Tournament on Sunday, beating overnight leader Daieisho in the final regulation bout and again in a sudden-death tiebreaker.

Nikkei - Mar 26
Shoma Uno retained his men's figure skating world title with a nerveless free skate on home ice on Saturday after Madison Chock and Evan Bates overcame a fall in their free dance to win their first ice dance world title.

theathletic.com - Mar 23
The World Baseball Classic championship between the United States and Japan on Tuesday night was the most-watched WBC game ever in the U.S., Fox Sports announced.

NHK - Mar 22
Japan has won the World Baseball Classic for the third time, beating the defending champion United States 3 to 2 in the final. It's their first title since 2009.

sportsnet.ca - Mar 22
Two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani was named MVP of the 2023 World Baseball Classic after dominating at the plate and on the mound to deliver Japan it's third championship win.

Kyodo - Mar 19
Twenty-year-old Sota Fujii became only the second player in the history of the shogi board game to hold six major titles Sunday when he took the Kio crown from Akira Watanabe.

DiscoverTheHorse - Mar 18
The Kisouma (Kiso Horse) is an ancient Japanese breed and a symbol of the Samurai.

NHK - Mar 18
Retired Japanese wheelchair tennis star Kunieda Shingo has received the People's Honor Award.

NHK - Mar 17
Japan has advanced to the semifinals of the World Baseball Classic tournament with a 9-3 win over Italy.

newsonjapan.com - Mar 16
Boston Red Sox Chief Baseball Chaim Bloom made two notable moves this offseason following a disappointing last-place finish in the AL East division.

The West - Mar 12
Australia's breakthrough baseball men have finally been brought down to earth, crushed by the power of Japan's super-slugging sports hero Shohei Ohtani in Tokyo.

newsonjapan.com - Mar 10
Japan are a two-time World Baseball Classic winner. However, it seems like a long time ago that Japan won those honours.

newsonjapan.com - Mar 10
Japan’s women’s national team finished second in February’s SheBelieves Cup held in the United States.

france24.com - Mar 09
Major league superstar Shohei Ohtani was given a hero's welcome as he led Japan to an 8-1 win over China in their World Baseball Classic opener in Tokyo on Thursday.

newsonjapan.com - Mar 09
Japan’s J-League is considering a switch to an autumn-spring soccer schedule, which is the norm in the major European soccer leagues.