too rigid?

Makoto Hasebe insists not, and has assumed the captain’s role by defending Japan’s lacklustre performances of late.

http://www.the-afc.com/en/tournaments/men-a-youth/fifa-world-cup-2010/29281-hasebe-hits-back-at-japan-critics

shinji okazaki, atsuto uchida and takeshi okada

Before they headed off for South Africa I sat down with Japan’s Atsuto Uchida and Shinji Okazaki to discuss all things World Cup.

These conversations – along with comments from Japan head coach Takeshi Okada – were published in Tokyo Weekender last week and can be read in full here http://weekenderjapan.com/?p=23803

Volker Finke interview

I recently interviewed Urawa Red Diamonds’ manager Volker Finke about his thoughts on Japan and the J.League and his expectations of the Japan national team at the World Cup.

If you’d like to give it a read then please click here:

http://www.eurobiz.jp/content/2010/june/columns/culture-shock