The year 2023 marked a big turning point for Japan's previously floundering men's national volleyball, basketball and handball teams, which all ended decades of underachievement by executing long-term plans.
Japan’s performance at the Basketball World Cup earned the team a berth at the Paris Olympics, sparking a national euphoria that sports officials hope has spread to a certain player in Los Angeles.
Wizards Rui Hachimura headlines Japanese team for Tokyo Olympics japantimes.co.jp - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from japantimes.co.jp Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.