Has Japan perhaps become a global role model? The strongest tag team: the association plus private teams

Japan’s surge and the world’s gaze

At WTT Champions Yokohama, which came to a close on August 9, the siblings Tomokazu and Miwa Harimoto’s double victory drew attention from many media outlets. Beyond that, Hiroto SHINOZUKA, ranked No. 24 in the world, defeated No. 4 Félix Lebrun of France, and Sora MATSUSHIMA, who finished third, had already won the US Smash.

With no young Chinese players emerging who can clearly aim for the very top, Japan’s men and women look even more full of momentum. A few years ago, I was often asked by people involved in European table tennis, “Why does Japan keep producing talented young players? How does the association strengthen its players?”

Each time, I answered, “It doesn’t look like the association’s strengthening headquarters is doing anything especially special. What works well is that top players each have their own teams.” That view has not changed even now.