#JAPAN#

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Current FIFA Ranking: 12th
Qualified: Asian Group playoffs (3-2 against Iran)
Qualifying record: (2nd place Group B):
                                       W  L  T  GF GA  PTS
                                       3  1  4  17  9   13

World Cup appearances: First
Primary Uniform Colors (shirt-shorts-socks): blue-white-blue
Secondary Uniform Colors: white-blue-white

1998 World Cup group: Group H
1998 World Cup schedule: Sunday, June 14 vs. Argentina (at Toulouse)
                         Saturday, June 20 vs. Croatia (at Nantes)
                         Friday, June 26 vs. Jamaica (at Lyon)

COACH: Takeshi Okada

KEY PLAYERS:  Kazuyoshi Miura (Verdy Kawasaki), Wagner Lopes 
              (Bellmare Hiratsuka)

OUTLOOK: Japan almost narrowly missed to qualify for the World
         Cup in France, but avoided becoming the first country 
         to host the finals without ever qualifying.  Japan and 
         South Korea will co-host the World Cup in 2002.

         Japan forced Iran to a further playoff against Australia 
         when it won 3-2 on a "golden goal" in extra time to 
         celebrate its first-ever qualification to the World Cup.

         Based on speed and incredible conditioning, Japan could 
         produce something of a surprise to opponents.  The team has
         speedy wingers it uses to stretch the field and open 
         holes for its best attribute, the strikers.  

         Realistically, its limited international experience will  
         probably be insufficient to handle the pressure and make 
         any noise in the tournament.  Therefore, this debut in the 
         World Cup stage will prepare them for a better 2002 showing.

         Striker Kazuyoshi Miura is probably the most important player 
         in Japanese soccer history.  He has played professional ball 
         in both Brazil and Italy, setting an example to his countrymen 
         that anything was possible for them in this profession.  He was 
         the leading scorer in 1998 qualification with 14 goals, and has 
         scored more than 50 for his country.  Despite the plethora of
         qualification goals, his form has slipped recently, but his 
         powerful presence deserves this chance on the world stage.

         Veteran defender Masami Ihara has 110 caps, while striker Lopes, 
         a naturalized Brazilian, is by far the best player in the lineup.
         Hiroshi Nanami and Hidetoshi Nakata are the wingers that will be 
         looking to set-up Miura and Lopes.