Japan's plot to win the World Cup is fully in motion and here's why it relies on the Premier League

Japan’s drive to compete for the World Cup is tied to a growing player pipeline into Europe, with the Premier League playing a key role. The summer transfer window ended with 30 Japanese players working in Europe’s top five leagues, including Real Sociedad’s Takefusa Kubo and Bayern Munich’s Hiroki Ito. Nineteen-year-old Ryunosuke Sato joined Valencia from FC Tokyo after a loan spell at Fagiano Okayama. Between the Premier League and the Championship, 18 Japanese players are now in England’s upper tiers. The article links this to J.League and the Japanese Football Association plans—outlined in a J.League “100 Year Vision”—to make the league more attractive and streamline player transfers.