How Did Japan Become So Good at Football?

Japan's National Football Team has had a remarkable transformation over the past few decades. Just 30 years ago, Japan lacked a professional league and had never qualified for a World Cup. However, with the establishment of the J League, the export of Japanese players to Europe, and the cultural influence of Anime series like Captain Tsubasa and Blue Lock, football in Japan has experienced unprecedented growth. With recent impressive performances in the World Cup, Japan's rise in the footballing world seems inevitable. Could they be the first nation outside of Europe and South America to lift the World Cup trophy? Who knows, but join me as we explore the rise of Japan's National Team. 🇯🇵
This definitely took a while to make, so I'd appreciate if you guys could share, like, and subscribe :).
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All clips used in this video are used under the fair use policy and are owned by the production studios listed. I do not own any of the property and give credit to the creators. Also, this video is not sponsored in any way.
How Did Japan Become So GOOD at Football?
The Rise of Japan's National Football Team
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Description tags: japan, japan soccer, japan football, j league, japanese football, japanese footballers, japan world cup, japan world cup 2018, japan world cup 2022, world cup, fifa world cup, japan vs belgium, japan vs germany, japan 2-1 germany, japan 4-1 germany, japan 2-1 spain, japan vs croatia, japan vs spain, captain tsubasa, blue lock, keisuke honda, minamino, takefusa kubo, kaoru mitoma, mitoma, japanese football league, japan national team, j league highlights, rise of japan, illustro football, daily dose of football, nabhuto, hrvizak, maqwell, thogden, vizeh, fng, nabhuto, football daily, fiago, rabona tv, football iconic
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Thanks For Watching!

[@user-io8yd9cf8b]

as a wise man once said, "The blue lock project is REALLLLLL"

[@vandiomage-hh3ow]

Trueeeeeee

[@MacHenryOliver-io6yf]

The best NOEL NOA AND MARC SNUFFY

[@user-ok8jm3uf6f]

OREWA STRIKER!!! 🔥🔥🔥

[@user-ht3wo3zf2v]

​@@MacHenryOliver-io6yfnoel noa was franch 💀

[@ZDXP84]

Bruh and that's why Japan is not gonna win the world cup if you're standards are an anime

[@vandiomage-hh3ow]

*Project Blue Lock Begins* Germany:*Heavy Breathing*

[@Nabhuto]

Germany dont wanna get smacked 7-0 next time LOOOL

[@simplyNuzi]

lol if they had a rematch Germany would toy with them that's the sad thing

[@mhxb]

​@@simplyNuzi lock it 😂

[@disposableaccount]

Japan didn't even make it to the Asian cup semifinals

[@UnknownFilipino]

Japan is something else. They're dominating baseball and they've just recently rose in the ranks in basketball now ranking higher than Iran, China, and the Philippines.

[@justsomeguywithoutabeard8306]

Not to mention, Japan ranks 4th in volleyball now despite being much lower ranked just a few years back

[@TheoTattaglia]

​@@justsomeguywithoutabeard8306 their team is actually pretty dope ngl

[@merkblux]

To be honest, Blue Lock inspire me to play football more. But Ao ashi made me in love with football more . So i personally think Ao ashi is the one who change me

[@AmbiVoy3511]

True

[@Nabhuto]

I like Ao Ashi a lot too but I think Blue Lock's popularity has helped Japan more

[@victorarroyo3580]

@@Nabhutogreat video and while I see where you are coming from I have to respectfully disagree. Ao ashi has had more of an impact on players in Japan than blue Locke. Ao ashi started in 2015 vs 2018 for blue Locke. Ao ashi has 12 million copies in circulation vs blue Locke’s 11 million. But the kicker is that blue Locke is available in other languages. There are no non Japanese manga for Aoashi. Blue Locke is much more popular outside of Japan than ao ashi. Also don’t forget that ao ashi also collaborated with j league multiple and even had a series of tactical breakdowns from Kawasaki Frontale Legend Kengo Nakamura. JFA u-18 top division and the Takamado Prince trophy have ahead Ao ashi in their promotional materials for many years. Blue Locke got popular in 2020 and while it is way bigger from an international and casual weather perspective. Ao ashi has had more influence on Japanese football from my experience.

[@_Joci]

Same here I stopped playing the sport at the age of 14 and I'm 21 now and started playing again 🔥

[@DanielHarkel]

Me, personally.. it was the beauty of Barcelona's style of play.. which got me to play football.. me and my dad have been fans of Barca (me personally since 2008 and him.. having been much longer) and although it's been years of suffering.. I believe we're making some good progress now *VISCA BARCA, VISCA CATALUNYA*

[@foxley95]

You forgot to mention japan grassroot system which is J youth league consists of J-league youth team and high school team which falls under 18 category, their high school team is no pushover, they can compete with a pro club in the league which kinda amazing how competitive they are domestically and internationally

[@LukeNicolaf]

Japan a country who always want to be the best in everything, not only football, volleyball, badminton, and even other major sport they haven't mastered it yet, give them few years and they going to be top team. It is their DNA to be number one

[@bensonvong]

Except their economy lol

[@Grrrrrgfifj]

@@bensonvongworry about your economy when you have a below world average gdp per capita😂

[@fordastreeets8019]

dont forget their also great at baseball

[@devocionn]

@@Grrrrrgfifjdamn you get triggered quick bro

[@gabbar51ngh]

They have extreme social pressure to outperform.

[@FootBallonQc]

I lived in Japan for half a year and the stadiums are so big ! I am from Canada and stadiums here are sad, their are small and the atmosphere is not as much intense. in Japan the culture is so fun, it was wonderful to see so many people supporting their teams, their spirit while singing their song was giving me chills. I went and saw a match at Yokohama stadium and at the Urawa stadium and it was amazing!! Urawa supporters are so nice!!

[@ole_football]

J League is such an underrated league! Ange Postecoglou definitely knew where to get quality ballers for his Celtic squad and I hope we will get more quality Japanese players for Tottenham. P.S. Keisuke Honda defo was inspired by Shunsuke Nakamura, Celtics all time great and free kick master

[@Nabhuto]

Ange Postecoglou was cooking sometihng fr

[@jshsvsjejed6960]

I can’t believe you forgot to mention hidetoshi nakata he was well before them

[@hehepg3d522]

Japan is truly a beautiful country, with amazing comic book feelings, this is a beautiful footballing country Edit: (IM NOT A BOT, I JUST LIKE JAPAN 😅)

[@Satojo]

Not Japan not admitting their war crimes:

[@SuperDan_23]

Npc

[@Satojo]

Nah

[@hehepg3d522]

@superdan_23 ye I’m a bot 😂😂 (enough hate) it’s a beautiful country

[@Nabhuto]

Japan truly is beautiful, I'll be the judge of that though in a couple weeks (I'm going to the country 😂)

[@yungpablo978]

Keisuke Honda will always be my favorite Japanese player

[@Nabhuto]

fairssss

[@ibrahimchowdhury9779]

Japan & their FA are the golden example of how to grow the game naturally and organically.

[@Nabhuto]

Fr bro

[@O7L_E]

captain tsubasa is a classic. One of my favourite animes

[@Da-fk3gm]

Love from Japan. Thanks for making such an amazing video! I am proud of our national team!

[@EnriqueBartulac]

Ends is just a different breed 🥶. The way he controls the midfield, wins the ball back early, makes very smart decisions and passes, and occasionally scores goals when he needs to makes me wonder how he’s been playing at such a low level for so long. He looks like a world class midfielder.

[@Nabhuto]

Endo is so beautiful man (on and off the pitch)

[@j_knakis]

Bruh he is nowhere near rodri or any other actual world class defensive midfielder in the prem plus all you just said hes good at it is literally the job of a CDM😂 tf

[@pineappleplepleuttamabokab8505]

​@@j_knakis Rodri is no where near sergio busquets, xabi alonso and many more

[@user-co5ri6dp3c]

@@j_knakis Endo is ranking the Top 5 defensive midfielder in the World. Endo has 476 duels won in the Bundesliga 2021/22 season (A two-time Duel Champion. Winner of 2 consecutive titles). He won the MVP in December month 2023 in Liverpool. Pocketed Manchester City, Arsenal, Brazil national team and Chelsea Midfielders with ease.

[@GEN]

Great video!!! Japan really been on the come up over the last few years hopefully they can come back from their performance in Asian cup…

[@lucerofci]

Japan’s current issues laid out are mere technical ones, that can be resolved by putting the right person in charge. They already have the foundations and startint to reap the fruits of it. How I wish my country can just copy paste the same. Thanks for the Great video.

[@taliadavidovsky4569]

Also shoutout to what Japan did to win the 2011 wc. It was just the women, so you might not think it matters as much as the men, but it got a huge amount of attention in the country because it was right after the earthquake, and the captain was from one of the towns that got destroyed by the tsunami. It was a Cinderella story that caught national attention in Japan, and helped people get more invested in football. And even if it's just the women's team that won, Japan's dominance on the woman's side shows that the overall federation is investing in their programs.

[@charlieboyes9588]

Bro how do you not have like 5 million subs bro this is class

[@123pineapple3]

For real tho

[@Nabhuto]

Thank you for the kind words bro

[@ronlyon4645]

thing i respect about japan is that if they want to get better they strive to do so. generally speaking japan is good in many sports worldwide despite of what people say "disadvantageous" physical features. looking at my country in asia too, we can't really compete with japan. maybe in the afterlife?

[@athosgomesfonseca]

Short answer: Zico. Long answer: Brazil.

[@Nabhuto]

LOOL

[@kelvisshandei]

As a German and Brazil Fan, I always liked the Japnesse Workethic. I cheered them up. They never give up.

[@zaippiaz]

great video!

[@epicgamertool]

Jinpachi Ego been putting in the work 🗣️

[@connordireso5555]

GET THIS MAN 100K

[@borynegron]

I brought the first volume of Blue Lock manga the other day. I'M READY 🔵

[@arayangodfrey1971]

Japan is underrated when it comes to Football 😅

[@Nabhuto]

Fr

[@pepehimovic3135]

Massively overrated. Especially by asians but Asian cup brought a reality check

[@hlcapa]

@@pepehimovic3135fectos

[@hieunguyenxvii676]

@@pepehimovic3135 Yes, Qatar indeed the strongest team in Asia :)) Arabs can only perform pretty well in Asian Tournament, but when its come to World cup, Japan, Korea and Australia are out perform the whole Asia. The idiom "As pround as a cock on his own dunghill" seems correct in Qatar case, sacrifice World cup for a minor Asian Cup :))

[@hieunguyenxvii676]

@@pepehimovic3135 lol, reality check, World cup is the most effective reality check, mate :))

[@davidblaine4real]

nice video!

[@pixel8397]

Great video and you got a fire liverpool flag! If you don’t mind me asking, where did you buy it from?

[@redorangeyellow6912]

i hope the philippines copies what japan has done, football is a severely underated sport in the philippines

[@alvindzorwa202]

That's true. It seems like the Philippines is the only country in Asia that doesn't take football seriously. Funny enough the sport that they do take seriously(basketball) they aren't even that good at internationally.

[@s34nn35]

Same, so many sports in the Philippines are underrated, basketball is the most popular and dominant sport in the country but I really hope other sports get the spotlight someday

[@redorangeyellow6912]

@@s34nn35, besides basketball, volleyball is the other sport. we still aren't good at it tho

[@redorangeyellow6912]

@@alvindzorwa202, yeah, us filipinos don't have attention to give to football. we are to focused on basketball even though we are built for football

[@danyuji.]

I wish we had this much effort and planning put into our football, here in Brazil. Even though it is our main sport, we lack attention from our own football association.

[@fidelinthepacific4127]

I went to few J league games as a kid growing up during the late 90s early 2000s and I remember how the pace of the match felt pretty slow and had very few players who can score goals. In recent years their overall game is so much better and they have excellent strikers and game making players. We're all hoping that this rise to continue and eventually make our dreams come true.

[@vamoneygroup]

This mostly due to break throughs in performance enhancing drugs. In Japan, they manufacture peptides that can boost natural production of growth hormone. This makes athletes faster and all around more athletic. Now Japan athletes who were sub par 30 years ago are just as good as Europeans.

[@mikewazowski2450]

As a colombian, i consider japan our biggest rival outside of south america, a few years ago i eould have never even considered it 🤯

[@WretchedDrummer]

Always saw Japan as an underdog and i always cheer for them. Im a Mexico fan since 1998 world cup.

[@dork2454]

When i saw blue lock i really liked soccer. But what really inspired me was the world cup

[@VictoryVictini100]

I can definitely see Japan 🇯🇵 do amazing

[@LVT1991]

What about Celtics Nakamura??? That free-kick winner against Utd was legendary!!!

[@goforbroke28]

I remember Japan playing in the 2014 and Honda scoring the GOLAZO😁, my niece at the time was in the University studying Asian languages and screamed HOOONNDAAA! She didn't know that he scored a goal, she was think I was making fun of his name as I was a Toyota Automotive technician. We laughed later after she saw the goal. 🤣🤣🤣

[@cartermyers9554]

You should make a video on 1 of real madrids new midfield trio of camavinga Tchouameni and valverde

[@MAJIN_MAGIC]

I'm Mexican but I support NIPPON!!!

[@mightyyoshiyt6772]

Mexico gotta lock in

[@GandC77]

Thank you for making a video about my national team, Japan!🇯🇵 But unfortunately nothing is going well with the organization, JFA. Many fans started to complain about how rotten JFA is. The reason is that they decided not to call up Junya Ito due to his private stuff though nothing proved he was guilty. It was a wish from the biggest sponsor. Also JFA has not enough money to hire a great coach from other countries...

[@jahanarabegum2686]

Moriyasu has helped a lot. He shouldnt be removed, he just needs to call up wonderkids like takuhiro nakai, and he really needs to improve the tactics

[@Grrrrrgfifj]

@@jahanarabegum2686moriyasu has helped alot lmao you know nothing😂

[@hlor37]

Damn, no mention of the legendary Shunsuke Nakamura? Disrespect! Lol just kidding. Good video.

[@o0Raine0o]

hard work and merits... like everybody who gets to the top. hard work and merits

[@golamkashef5255]

There's always a science to becoming good at a sport. Once you know what it takes and have the desire to invest, you'll see success.

[@MaxwellPalmer-vd9ku]

Liverpool flag in the background💯 you'll never walk alone bro

[@carlosrojas9174]

Japan and South Korea are my favorite Asian teams. They both have formidable speed and technique.

[@actuallynotsteve]

I'll die on the hill of "k Honda is the best free kick taker of all time. That Belgium the broke my heart.

[@beastbuilds9741]

can u do a video like this but for the usmnt new golden generation

[@RealCR7_editz]

Recommendation: What happened to Brazil?

[@Kei_sssj]

Honestly though, bluelock made me watch football and made me fall inlove with it

[@Nabhuto]

W Blue Lock then

[@CommanderOfMicroplastics.]

Isagi hitting them backheels 💀

[@markemmanuel1640]

Do a video on Zlatan Ibrahimovic🇸🇪

[@Jason-hn6dq]

Yo man make the rise of feimpong or wortz they both deserve it

[@Nebu2i]

I wish the Philippines picks up football too..

[@vamoneygroup]

Phillipines has to pick up hgh and peptides first

[@ImperialImplant]

What that a Bleach ost at 0:28?

[@ben.1887]

Hopefully japan win the next world cup🙏🏻🇯🇵💙

[@Nabhuto]

Idk abt that but we shall see

[@atakodaz]

They won't bro 😂

[@Clips_of_me_gaming]

How do u have such less subs u deserve like. 3 million

[@Nabhuto]

Appreciate u

[@AYAMDASH]

Agree

[@Isdfcommando]

Nakamura is also a legend

[@Irtiza_xd]

Nah I was going crazy during the world cup calling it project blue lock cuz the team was performing so good

[@jonathantoribio6641]

Japan generally valuse discipline and you can not only see this in football but other sports they play.

[@phyo.lin19]

They could have gone all the way in 2018. But Belgium was smart to use fast break and headers with height difference and stamina

[@JohanEljo]

Bluelock is cooking

[@abriefintroduction5500]

What is the name of series general is shouting

[@jackiesgamerz9500]

Siuu first👏👏👏👏👏👏👏 people who watch bluelock 😈

[@Nabhuto]

Blue Lock goated

[@harithdanial141]

Simple, it's start in early 90s. A professional football league, and also captain tsubasa. Yes, it is. It's one things that inspired hidetoshi nakata to become footballer. Their also got first world cup appearance in 1998 France

[@Nabhuto]

Yuhhhh

[@saku-mg3ei]

for hulk, JLeague is his stepping stone before going to Europe

[@Yoyowassup2023]

Pause the video at 0:38. Japan already beat Argentina 60 YEARS AGO!!!!.

[@Itsgutzzz]

Hello also its called hard work and dedication 😅

[@tarik6990]

They really need to find a way to get pass the round of 16 at World Cups though.

[@Nabhuto]

Fr man

[@tarik6990]

@@Nabhuto That's always been my issue as a long time fan of Japan. Their penalties against Croatia for instance were beyond horrendous.

[@mayankgupta6213]

Captain. Tsubasa, there is a reason there are so many CAMs because of tsubasa in Japan team

[@rayesfn7502]

Can you make a video on the rise of fede valverde?

[@anthony08193a]

ngl Japan is on fire. Although Japan doesn't have world-class players, every player is A tier and there's great teamwork. Japan could be the first Asian country to win the world cup.

[@user-th1gl9od9v]

「◯級」という表現をするってことは、韓国人？

[@bd1982]

i does hope my country football model after japan...

[@thehypr0633]

And then on the other hand we have India, a legend at football in the past and now it's all politics and money😢

[@shojimoko]

the only japan remaining problem is good coaches with tactical skill

[@wataruendo_goat]

Moriyasu Hajime is good but he just messed up with calling up suzuki instead of gonda

[@Nabhuto]

and a #9

[@user-zb3gl5lr2q]

Nah moriyasu is Japanese Southgate​@@wataruendo_goat

[@user-th1gl9od9v]

@@wataruendo_goatMoriyasu is too bad

[@benerazoii]

new nabhuto dropped lets goooo

[@Nabhuto]

;)

[@Yoyowassup2023]

"Could they be the first nation outside of Europe and South America to lift the World Cup trophy?" Lemme try to answer that question. First it is hard for ANY NATION to win the world cup. If football continues to grow in developing countries we could see more countries outside of Europe and South America start to dominated in the next few decades. Yes, Japan is already an example of that. Japan play very well football and are the BEST in Asia alongside South Korea. They already beat TWO giants in the 2022 world cup and almost beat Croatia, another wc giant. Im Guessing Japan could reach the quarter-finals more often in the next few decades and start to near the semi-finals. They have already beaten some of Europes best but If they could beat more giants like France, Portugal and Brazil then I would say they are a TOP CONTENDER. But they really have a pretty high potential. Japan MAY become the first nation outside of Europe and South America to lift the trophy- if it ever happens. But really- the 2022 wc brought some shocks involving Morocco, Cameroon, Saudi Arabia, Japan, South Korea, and the USA. All those countries mentioned above played better than expected and were able to BEAT or DRAW against giants such as Brazil, Portugal and Argentina. Beware for the 2026 WC- Who knows what these unprecendented nations INCLUDING JAPAN may bring. There could be MASSIVE upsets pulled + there will be 16 EXTRA NATIONS in the 2026 world cup and most will be from Africa and Asia and since its being hosted in North America 3 biggest countries, the smaller nations in North, Central America and the Carribean could also get a slot to the biggest and most beautiful stage in history. Im already excited. Lets go Japan!

[@FolkeBernadotte2]

Outside Europe & South America you have Mexico & the United States. They’re pretty tough underdogs.

[@kingjoker9332]

The simple answer to that question is project blue lock

[@Sl4ppyBag]

They have always been, haven’t you watch the anime Captain Tsubasa ❤

[@RoninDays]

The J-League needs teams in urban zones to take the next step. It's so inconvenient to watch J-League as a Tokyo resident compared to baseball! The teams are all way outside of the city as opposed to the two Pro Yakyu (Giants and Swallows) teams that are 20 minute subway rides away.

[@DrArmz-cx7xe]

Does anyone still remember Captain Tsubasa?

[@strange7028]

Project bluelock is real!!!!!

[@Nabhuto]

Definitely is

[@strange7028]

@@Nabhuto omg you replied!

[@pimp3047]

You need to do a football iceberg please

[@Nabhuto]

Feel like Vizeh has done a good job with those no?

[@Kyle-uz1rp]

I love japan, they are technically dominant - the reason they lose in the WC is always the same - its purely the lack of height. 2018 was a great example, they were facing off against poland, poland could not do much until the second half when they subbed their tallest players in - they won because of a header which japan could just not defend.

[@mecoalford4248]

I did say japan was the under dogs in the last world cup due to other padagrie nations in the modern world cup tournament, for example Brazil, Argentina, Netherlands although the last world cup they was in a very tough group, I was ecstatic for japan come back to win against Germany and spain, but the round of 16 is where team put everything on the line no time for mistakes errors and have to be lock in focus, so japan listen well for the next world cup you have rivals now these pedagre nations will be gunning for you in the next world cup, so fine tune the rhythm of the Japanese play style be unpredictable, and make oda and blue lock mangaca proud and go get that world cup, at least japan federation of football better than Jamaica federation of football,because all the now Jamaica premiere league isn't marketable, damm

[@jasrajsingh7196]

Bro please make a video on 🇮🇳

[@aquabotol2413]

Why? India football was trash

[@jasrajsingh7196]

​@@aquabotol2413do you know that we won against man utd u 15 1-0

[@Nabhuto]

I've already talked about how disappointing India has been previously like a month ago peep that video

[@atakodaz]

​@@jasrajsingh7196winning 1 nil against man u u-15s is not a flex bro😂

[@nisemono1625]

Nobody wanna see a trash team video

[@quantumlove7950]

This story is also very interesting from business perspective considering the large economic powerhouse like China has trouble growing its national team and league after a hefty investment today.

[@MohdAsif-Alpha]

2092 is abysmal Goal. 2052 is also very far fetched but I'll have odds to be alive to witness it

[@dmvp1889]

hajime moriyasu holding this team back

[@lj_sweet7279]

I just wish Australia developed the same attitude towards developing grass roots talent

[@VictorJapaXD]

Actually Ao Ashi is more popular than Blue Lock in Japan,however Blue Lock is more popular outside Japan because it's more an action anime than a sports anime. Blue Lock and Ao Ashi both had collabs with the Professional Sport, Ao Ashi has more connection with J1 league than Blue Lock tho. Ao Ashi definitely influenced more the local Sport and japanese people that like the sport than Blue Lock.

[@6TheButcher]

How was Mitoma not mentioned?? 7:46

[@Nabhuto]

I did bro

[@Idk_Anymore2]

My county can learn a thing or 2 from Japan like srsly 4th most populated country and we could barely compete with such giants

[@darkz2593]

Blue lock👽

[@ohpeep3723]

They need to change their national coach

[@Patel2190]

Japan also need to bring back Gonda (Japans GK in the WC) Japans GK made so many mistakes in this Asian Cup that it was probably also one of the reasons why Japan didn’t win the Asian cup even though people expected them to.

[@protocetus499]

They going to get beaten by Jordan in the final, Ammouta as coach is so good

[@Pepperokc]

Us waiting for you to mention Inazuma Eleven...

[@trix9596]

Blue lock 😎

[@lalalo2795]

It's BLUEE LOCKKK!!!!

[@woklam342]

japanese mentality= never give up fight till dead, be pride and just train hard. always keeping better