Showing posts with label 🇯🇵. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 🇯🇵. Show all posts
Tuesday, 28 April 2026
Sunday, 29 March 2026
Friday, 27 March 2026
Saturday, 22 November 2025
JAPAN’S FIRST FEMALE LEADER FACES TABOO A TABOO OVER ENTERING A MALE-ONLY SUMO RING
TOKYO (AP) — Sanae Takaichi made history by becoming Japan’s first female prime minister in October. She must now decide whether she’ll break another barrier: the taboo barring women from the sumo ring.
The winner of the Kyushu Grand Sumo Tournament that ends Sunday will be presented with the Prime Minister’s Cup. Some of her male predecessors, including former Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi, have entered the ring to hand over the cup.
Takaichi, a staunch conservative who supports Japan’s traditional gender and paternalistic values, may not break the taboo. In any case, she won’t face a decision on whether to enter the sumo ring this time because she returns a day later from the Group of 20 summit in South Africa.
Her next chance to make a decision will come at the New Year’s tournament in Tokyo.
But a debate on the taboo against women likely will continue, in no small part, because a woman now leads Japan. There also is criticism that the ban in sumo and other religious places is out of touch with the changing place of women in Japanese society.
Women are still banned in some sacred places and festivals
The sumo ring is only part of the controversy.
In Japan, female worshippers have for centuries been banned from certain holy mountains, religious training sessions, temples, shrines and festivals.
Other places in the world have similar taboos, but the one in Japan stems from the belief in female “impurity” associated with menstruation and childbirth, as well as certain misogynic Buddhist views, says Naoko Kobayashi, an Aichi Gakuin University professor and expert on religion and gender.
The female ban at holy mountains, including Mount Fuji, and religious establishments has been largely eliminated over the years. But it lingers at certain shrines and festivals.
Many of these bans are from the 19th century Meiji era or later, Kobayashi said, and the taboo has been hard to break because women were also kept from political and religious decision-making over the years.
Sumo has a 1,500-year history, but the female ban is not ancient tradition
Sumo’s origins are linked to rituals for Japan’s indigenous religion of Shinto, which is largely rooted in animism and the belief that thousands of kami, or spirits, inhabit nature. The first sumo matches date back 1,500 years as a ritual dedicated to the kami, with prayers for bountiful harvests, dancing and other performances at shrines.
The dohyo where sumo takes place is an elevated ring made of special clay, with its edge marked by a circle of rice-straw separating the inner sanctuary and the outside world of impurity. It’s off-limits to women in professional sumo.
Some experts say sumo follows the Shinto belief in female impurity.
The Japan Sumo Association has denied the female ban is based on the Shinto belief of impurity.
“This interpretation is a misunderstanding,” said the association chief, Nobuyoshi Hakkaku, in 2018. He said sumo rituals are tied to folk beliefs like being thankful for a good harvest and are not about rigid religious principles.
“We have consistently denied sexist intentions,” Hakkaku said. “The rule that makes the dohyo a serious battleground for men is only natural for wrestlers, making the dohyo a male-only world and (leading to) passing down the practice of not having women go up there.”
Citing a seventh century document called “Ancient Chronicles of Japan,” historians say female court members were the first to perform sumo at the request of an emperor. There are documentary records of female sumo wrestlers in 16th century documents.
Sumo gained prestige when matches were attended in 1884 by the Emperor Meiji and later earned the status of a national sport with the completion of the original Ryogoku Arena in 1909.
Barring women from the ring has been criticized for decades
In 1978, a female labor ministry bureaucrat, Mayumi Moriyama, protested after the sumo association prevented a girl who had won a local children’s sumo qualifying match from advancing to the finals at a real sumo ring.
In 1990, Moriyama, as government spokesperson, expressed her desire to enter the ring for the presentation of the Prime Minister’s Cup but was rejected by the sumo association.
In 2018, the mayor of Maizuru in northern Kyoto collapsed during a speech in a sumo ring. Two female medical experts rushed in and started performing first aid as several male sumo officials watched. Two more women tried to join the first-aid effort before announcements demanded the women leave the ring. Sumo officials threw salt afterwards, a gesture of purification.
Days later, the association refused to allow Tomoko Nakagawa, then-mayor of Takarazuka city, to enter the dohyo to give a speech for an exhibition tournament. Nakagawa, forced to speak from the side of the ring, said she was mortified to be rejected just because she is female.
The sumo association chief apologized over the “failure to take appropriate action in a life-threatening situation” and for making Nakagawa uncomfortable, and formed a panel of outside experts to examine the female ban. Seven years later, a decision is still pending.
“Excluding women under the premise of male-centered traditions and customs can be no longer justified under the values of the times,” Kobayashi, the professor, said.
Takaichi backs Japan’s traditional views on gender
and keeping the succession of Japan’s monarchy open only to men. She also opposes changing a 19th-century law that would allow married couples the option of keeping separate surnames.
Takaichi is trying to win back support from right-wing voters who have been drawn to emerging populist groups in recent elections. An attempt to present the trophy in the ring would be seen as defying sumo’s traditions and could harm her image with those voters.
She has not commented on how she’ll handle the trophy presentation, but her top government spokesperson has indicated Takaichi is not considering stepping into the ring.
“Prime Minister Takaichi intends to respect the tradition of sumo culture,” Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara told reporters.
- Mari Yamaguchi
Monday, 17 November 2025
DATSUN ROADSTER | DATSUN SPORTS | DATSUN FAIRLADY
The car pictured is a Datsun Roadster, also known as the Datsun Sports or Fairlady in some markets.
This lightweight sports car was produced by Nissan in the 1960s.
The Datsun Roadster model S211 line was first launched in 1959.
The second generation, designed for mass production, made its debut at the Tokyo Motor Show in 1961.
It served as a precursor to Nissan's future "Z" series of cars .
Sunday, 9 November 2025
Monday, 29 September 2025
Sunday, 6 April 2025
Tuesday, 18 March 2025
Friday, 10 January 2025
HIRAKAWA LEAVES MCLAREN TO JOIN ALPINE FROM 2025 F1 SEASON
Ahead of the upcoming season, Alpine has announced that Ryō Hirakawa will join the Anglo-French team as test and reserve driver for 2025, expanding the pool of drivers from which the Enstone-based team may call upon throughout the season for testing and driving duties.
Hirakawa previously fulfilled test driver duties at McLaren, and he will now take on the role of test and reserve driver at Alpine. As part of his duties, the Japanese driver will participate in the Alpine's TPC programme and support with car development and technical understanding using the team’s simulator throughout the 2025 season.
In addition, Hirakawa will also drive in the opening practice at the Japanese Grand Prix that will take place at the Suzuka Circuit at the beginning of April.
Hirakawa has collected a wealth of experience over the past years, having competed across various disciplines including Super Formula, Endurance, and Super GT as well as having tested in Formula One machinery in 2023 and 2024.
His most most remarkable result is his overall victory at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 2022, and he is also a two-time Hypercar Champion in the FIA World Endurance Championship (2022 and 2023).
Commenting on the announcement, Hirakawa noted: “It is an honour to be joining BWT Alpine Formula One Team as a Test and Reserve Driver for the 2025 season.
"As always, the opportunity of track time in Formula One machinery is the pinnacle for race drivers and I am excited to drive in Free Practice 1 in front of my home crowd at the Japanese Grand Prix, as well as working with the team testing previous cars.
"It is a great opportunity to be working with such a dedicated team that utilises the breadth of experience of its driver pool and I look forward to playing a part in making 2025 a positive year together.”
Reflecting on the announcement, Alpine's team boss Oliver Oakes added: “It is great to bring Ryō on board with the team for 2025 and have him step in to take over driving duties for FP1 in Japan in front of his home crowd.
"His addition brings a diverse range of racing experience to our current roster and expands the pool of talent available to call upon throughout the season.
"His role will be important in providing the team with support in various areas of development through our TPC programme and simulator work, and we are looking forward to welcoming him to the team as we press ahead with preparations for the new season.”
- Balazs Szabo
Monday, 29 July 2024
SAKI KUMAGAI PLAYS CAPTAIN'S ROLE TO PERFECTION AS JAPAN PULL OFF MIRACLE TO BEAT BRAZIL
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| Having only scored twice previously in over 150 caps for Japan, Saki Kumagai showed real mettle under immense pressure with her injury-time equaliser against Brazil -- especially after Japan had missed an earlier penalty in the first half. Alex Gottschalk/DeFodi Images via Getty Images |
For a team who were once champions of the world and Olympic silver medallists in 2012, expectations surrounding Japan were always going to be high in the women's football tournament at the Paris Games.
As fate would have it, the luck of the draw -- as well as how competitive the women's game has become -- meant that Nadeshiko were never going to have it easy despite their proud history.
Having lost to reigning world champions Spain in their campaign opener three days earlier, the Japanese looked headed for a second defeat on Sunday -- trailing Brazil 1-0 as the tie ticked over into injury-time.
Although two of the three third-placed teams in the women's tournament can still qualify for the quarterfinals, Japan were in real danger of missing out especially given their group-stage finale on Wednesday loomed as another testing encounter against Nigeria.
Somehow, not only did Japan come back from the dead, they mustered a full revival with two quickfire last-gasp goals to pull off a dramatic come-from-behind 2-1 win over the Brazilians.
Having spurned a golden opportunity to take the lead just before halftime when Mina Tanaka saw her penalty saved by Lorena, the Japanese then fell behind through Jhennifer's 56th-minute opener.
But as Nadeshiko were awarded a second spot-kick with a minute remaining, this time it was Saki Kumagai who stepped up and made no mistake in finding the back of the net to level the scores.
It was a classic captain's goal and should not have come as a surprise even if Kumagai -- a centre-back by trade -- had only scored twice previously at international level.
She is, after all, Japan's most-experienced player with over 150 caps to her name and a veteran of the highest order, having won nine major European league titles and five UEFA Women's Champions League crowns during her time with Lyon, Bayern Munich and Roma.
If ever there was anyone with the mettle and composure to handle the pressure, it would be Kumagai.
Having equalised at such a late stage of the contest, the Japanese might have been forgiven had they been content to hold on to the solitary point, regroup, and channel all their energies for one final battle against Nigeria.
Yet, there was still time for more drama. Nadeshiko had other ideas.
They are after all a fearless outfit. They showed that when they beat the mighty United States in the final to become world champions in 2011.
Just last year, in the most recent edition of the FIFA Women's World Cup, they pulled off one remarkable victory after another -- including a stunning 4-0 rout of eventual champions Spain -- before ultimately falling short in the quarters.
And with Brazil reeling from what they thought were two points dropped, it soon became all three -- as a misplaced pass from Rafaelle Souza was capitalised on by substitute Momoko Tanikawa with a long-range strike that sealed the unlikeliest of fightbacks.
The job is however far from done.
Nonetheless, depending on how the second Group C tie of the days pans out, Nadeshiko will at least be just three points off the pace in second place or be one of four teams all tied with a victory each.
Either way, the most important thing for them is that they remain in control of their own destiny. Beat Nigeria, and their haul of six points should almost certainly be enough for progress to the last eight, even if it comes as one of the third-placed qualifiers.
Japan are firmly back on the right path to go further at the Olympics.
It might not have been the case if not for a stunning comeback -- inspired by a leader who did not fail to rise to the occasion when she was needed the most.
- Gabriel Tan
Sunday, 28 July 2024
FAITH IN YOUTH CONTINUES TO PAY OFF AS JAPAN MARCH ON INTO OLYMPIC QUARTERFINALS
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| Japan booked their place in the Olympic men's football tournament on Saturday with a game to spare after Rihito Yamamoto scrambled home the only goal of the game in the 82nd minute for a 1-0 win over Mali. Koji Watanabe/Getty Images |
Japan are no strangers to going far in the men's football tournament at the Olympics.
Even if they are still to establish themselves among the world's top teams, Japan have finished fourth in two of the past three editions of the Games -- narrowly missing out on a coveted medal in both London and on home soil in Tokyo.
But even with the high standards they have set for themselves in recent times, the Paris Olympics are going better than expected.
With two games down and one still to go in the group stage, Japan are just one of two teams to have already booked their place in the quarterfinals -- alongside newly-crowned European champions Spain.
Granted, the Samurai Blue are hardly slouches considering they are one of Asia's traditional powerhouses and currently sit a creditable 18th in the FIFA world rankings.
Yet, the fact that Japan are the only team in the ongoing men's football tournament to have fielded an entirely under-23 team -- opting against turning to the three allowed overage players -- makes their displays so far that much more impressive.
An opening-day 5-0 rout of Paraguay was followed up by a less straightforward 1-0 win over Mali on Saturday evening.
While the emphatic triumph over Paraguay -- which was aided by an early red card for the opposition -- was a display of cohesion and panache, the victory over Mali perhaps gave a stronger indication over the legitimacy of their medal quest.
On this occasion, they faced a much tougher challenge -- especially without a numerical advantage.
It meant that, even though they still tried -- and, at times, managed -- to play with the same sort of expansiveness that they achieved against the Paraguayans, the contest was not always on their terms.
Mali, with plenty of pace down the wings and a direct approach led by spearhead Cheickna Doumbia, also caused the Japanese far more uncomfortable moments than they had endured in their campaign opener.
And still, Japan passed the test -- although it might have been a far different story if Doumbia had not missed an injury-time penalty.
Goalkeeper Leo Kokubo showed why he could be a pivotal figure -- especially for a team that is constanly looking to be on the front foot -- with a series of fine saves.
In the engine room, captain Joel Chima Fujita and Rihito Yamamoto never stopped trying to initiate the brand of football coach Go Oiwa is asking of them, with the latter eventually emerging as the match-winner with an opportunistic strike with just eight minutes remaining.
The Samurai Blue also showed they have decent depth with the likes of Ryotaro Araki and Fuki Yamada coming into the starting XI, while Kein Sato and Shota Fujio again offered an injection of energy coming off the bench.
For a squad bereft of experienced campaigners, the way they grinded out the result was exactly what will be required come the knockout round -- especially if Japan want to claim a first men's football medal since 1968.
If Tuesday's final round of group-stage action plays out as expected, the Japanese should avoid a clash with Spain and will be confident in their prospects regardless of whether it is Egypt or Dominican Republic they meet in the last eight.
Still, it could very likely be Argentina -- boasting notable names such as Julián Álvarez and Nicolás Otamendi -- that will be waiting if they reach the semis.
If they do have to settle for the third place playoff once again, it could easily be hosts France or Spain vying with them for the bronze medal.
The former, in particular, have two formidable overage attackers with Premier League experience in Alexandre Lacazette and Jean-Philippe Mateta, not to mention young starlets such as Michael Olise, Rayan Cherki and Manu Koné.
Only time will tell if Japan's decision not to bolster their team -- and their medal prospects -- with senior stalwarts of their own will come back to haunt them.
For now, however, their faith in youth is paying off.
- Gabriel Tan
Tuesday, 23 July 2024
WHY HASEBE COULD BE FIRST ASIAN MANAGER OF A TOP EUROPEAN CLUB
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| Following a 304-game stint as a player with Eintracht Frankfurt, Makoto Hasebe will take his first steps towards management after being named the assistant coach of the Bundesliga club's U-21 team. Etsuo Hara/Getty Images |
At the end of last season, the stellar playing career of Japan international Makoto Hasebe finally came to an end.
While he might not have stolen the headlines in the way more attack-minded teammates of his generation -- such as Shinji Kagawa and Keisuke Honda -- did, Hasebe's credentials speak for themselves. A Bundesliga champion with Wolfsburg in 2009, Hasebe would captain Japan at three consecutive editions of the FIFA World Cup and win an AFC Asian Cup en route to 114 international appearances, making him Samurai Blue's seventh most-capped player.
Enjoying the most longevity at Eintracht Frankfurt, the midfielder-turned-sweeper would add a DFB-Pokal and Europa League to his trophy cabinet and hung up his boots with the accolade of being the Bundesliga's record Asian appearance maker.
The esteem he was held in at Frankfurt led to a unique arrangement where his playing contract would automatically be renewed each summer until Hasebe himself decided to retire, where a coaching deal would then be guaranteed. That agreement has now come into effect, with the 40-year-old earlier this month being announced as an assistant coach of Eintracht's under-21 team.
With that, Hasebe has taken his first step down a path that could eventually see him buck a peculiar trend in football. Be it through subconscious aversion or sheer coincidence, no Asian has taken charge of a notable European club. This, even though players from the continent have long been deemed good enough to make the grade in Europe, while Asian teams -- mostly through the World Cup -- have shown they have what it takes to match more-illustrious counterparts.
There are certainly candidates that ordinarily would have at least been in the reckoning.
While he has his fair share of critics for tactics that have at times been perceived as overly conservative, Japan coach Hajime Moriyasu did mastermind stunning wins over both Germany and Spain at the last World Cup.
Meanwhile, although Ange Postecoglou has deserved all the success he has enjoyed since his rise to prominence began at Yokohama F. Marinos, it is worth noting that the one J1 League title he won during his time in Japan was actually bettered by Toru Oniki's two with Kawasaki Frontale. Oniki, with 10 major trophies to his name, is now the most successful manager in a country currently ranked 18th in the world. Yet, few outside of Japan probably have heard of him.
On the back of the sport's ever-growing globalisation, that could soon change.
Postecoglou undeniably showed that Asian football can now be a legitimate bedrock of managerial talent. The City Football Group's expansive network -- which includes stakes in four Asian clubs including Marinos -- suggests they too believe there is untapped potential. The ever-increasing interest in the Saudi Pro League also guarantees a greater spotlight for whoever excels in those newly glamourous surroundings.
Still, perhaps Hasebe is the best chance given his distinct advantage, especially over other candidates from the Asian Football Confederation: he is already "in."
Through the credit he accumulated for himself as a player who was well-respected and regarded as a role model, his pathway has now been accelerated as he begins his coaching journey directly in Europe. There will be no need for him to work his way up back home in Japan, even if his subsequent steps may perhaps see him earn later job experience in the J1 League.
For now, Hasebe's formative steps as a coach will not only be in one of Europe's big five leagues but also at a well-established club in Eintracht, who were one of the Bundesliga's founding teams and have only spent six seasons out of the top flight in the 60-odd years since the competition was established.
This will undoubtedly stand him in good stead but, at the end of the day, it will be the managerial talent that Hasebe develops that determines his success -- and early signs are promising. Long regarded as a coach in the making, Hasebe was a leader all throughout his career -- initially as a driving force in the heart of midfield, before he became a calming presence as the last line of defence in his final few seasons. He set an example for those around him to follow and was regularly seen giving instructions and advice both on the field or from the sidelines.
Ex-Eintracht manager Adi Hütter once labelled Hasebe as an "absolute godsend" and "outstanding" as both a footballer and person, while another former coach in Oliver Glasner -- now Crystal Palace boss -- spoke of his ability to always be relied upon.
Even his teammates were said to have affectionately referred to him as "Methuselah" -- the biblical figure claimed to have lived the longest life until dying at the age of 969 -- for his longevity.
Determined and ambitious, Hasebe has made no secret about his goal to one day reach the very top, having stated at his retirement news conference back in May that his ultimate goal was to manage Eintracht.
In doing so, he will have to buck a trend and reverse an anomaly that has stymied the growth and recognition of Asian football. He may just be the best and -- eventually most well-equipped -- managerial prospect to do so.
- Gabriel Tan
Friday, 28 June 2024
THE MACHIDA ZELVIA MIRACLE: HOW ARE J1 LEAGUE DEBUTANTS THE MIDSEASON LEADERS?
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| Machida Zelvia have been the story of the 2024 J1 League season as the newly-promoted outfit find themselves on top of the table past the halfway mark of the campaign in the first season of top-flight football. Hiroki Watanabe/Getty Images |
As the 2024 J1 League season passed its halfway mark on Wednesday, a number of usual suspects are unsurprisingly jostling for position at the upper end of the table.
From eight-time record winners Kashima Antlers to defending champions Vissel Kobe and regular contenders such as Gamba Osaka, Sanfrecce Hiroshima and FC Tokyo, all these teams will have reason to believe they can challenge for top honours this term with just seven points separating them from the leaders.
But atop the summit, an unfamiliar name currently leads the way -- and quite remarkably so.
Just 20 games into their maiden season in the top flight of Japanese football, Machida Zelvia currently sit two points clear of the rest of the field.
This is a team that were playing in the third tier as recently as in 2015 and, prior to last season, had never finished higher than fourth in the J2 League. There were even a couple of close shaves where they narrowly escaped relegation back to the J3 League a few years ago.
Instead of battling relegation this season as expected, the fact that Zelvia have now embarked on an unlikely title challenge is nothing short of extraordinary -- and their story only gets better.
Eyebrows were raised at the start of 2023 when the club's search for a new coach saw them turn to Go Kuroda, who had spent 28 years at the helm of high school powerhouses Aomori Yamada but had never taken charge of a professional team.
Kuroda was aware of the initial reservations over his appointment.
"There were many who worried that this team couldn't win in my first pro year," he told The Japan Times after winning promotion at the end of last season.
"But every player on this team faced (the challenge) sincerely and gave everything they had to win, and that gave us power in our push for promotion.
"They took the words of a first-year manager to hear ... and stuck with me without a single complaint."
If Kuroda thought his first year in professional football went well, he might be in for a pleasant surprise depending how the rest of 2024 pans out.
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| The mastermind behind Machida Zelvia's rapid rise has been Go Kuroda, who is remarkably only in his second season as a professional coach after 28 years in high school football. Masashi Hara/Getty Images |
If putting their faith in a previously-unproven tactician has proven a masterstroke, similar credit has to be given to the Zelvia hierarchy for the way they have gone about assembling the squad that is currently leading the J1 League.
Aware that reinforcements were always necessary, especially if they are to avoid the same fate as several of the J.League's yo-yo clubs in recent times, Zelvia were extremely active -- and astute -- in the offseason transfer window.
Centre-back Gen Shoji, who featured for Japan at the 2018 FIFA World Cup and previously played in Ligue 1 with Toulouse, was the biggest name arrival and he would provide an immediate injection of much-needed experience alongside fellow seasoned top-flight campaigners such as Kai Shibato and Keiya Sento.
The club also sought to refresh their foreign player contingent.
Both Oh Se-Hun and Na Sang-Ho, while not the biggest names in South Korean football, arrived with previous J1 League experience under their belts -- and the presence of a fellow compatriot has undeniably made it easier for them to settle into their new surroundings.
Just last month, Oh was rewarded for his impressive displays with Zelvia as he won his first South Korea cap in the Asian qualifiers for the 2022 World Cup.
Kosovo international Ibrahim Drešević, with past stints in the Eredivisie and Turkish Süper Lig, was the third new import for 2024 and he wasted no time in striking up a formidable central defensive partnership with Shoji - with Zelvia's 16 goals conceded the third-best defensive record in the J1 League at present.
Credit for their stability at the back also has to go to 23-year-old goalkeeper Kosei Tani, who was preivously earmarked as possibly a future Japan No. 1 and has been an assured presence as he looks to continue developing as a young custodian in another loan spell away from Gamba.
The acquisition of Tani has also been in line with another key recruitment philosophy: a desire for the team for some youthful energy.
With Yu Hirakawa already an exciting prospect of their own, Zelvia captured Shota Fujio on a permanent deal from Cerezo Osaka after he had impressed while on loan last season, while Kotaro Hayashi was brought in from Yokohama FC respectively.
All have had an impact despite their relative tender years with Fujio, who leads the team with seven goals, and Hirakawa part of the Japan team that won the AFC U-23 Asian Cup at the start of last month, while Hayashi has made the left-back spot his own.
On Wednesday, Zelvia maintained their foothold at the top of the table as they held out for a 0-0 draw away to a star-studded Vissel outfit.
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| 23-year-old Shota Fujio has been a revelation for Machida Zelvia in the 2024 J1 League season, with his team-high seven goals putting him ahead of foreign stars such as Oh Se-Hun and Mitchell Duke. RICHARD A. BROOKS/AFP via Getty Images |
It was far from the most impressive result that Zelvia have pulled off in 2024, having notched victories over the likes of Kashima, Urawa Red Diamonds and even AFC Champions League runners-up Yokohama F. Marinos earlier this month.
In an era of football where the virtue of possession-based football is extolled, there is something refreshing about Zelvia's high-paced, direct style -- with every member of Kuroda's throwback 4-4-2 formation going at full tilt for 90 minutes and looking to exploit opponents with wing-play from a bygone era.
Not that it is something they have to be sorry for, but there is an unapologetic way Zelvia go about their business on the field.
Kuroda himself has admitted that, in an ideal world, he would also want his team to "build up from the back and score" but his main priority is simply that his side threaten the opposition in whatever way they do best.
Ask any of the many teams they have pulled off stunning upsets against this season, and all would readily admit just what danger Zelvia have posed.
For a team to go from promotion to champions in one season remains one of football's epic feats.
One of the more recent instances that come to mind is when Kaiserslautern won the Bundesliga in 1997-98, while even Leicester City's stunning Premier League triumph came in their second season back in the English top flight.
There is still just under half the season left to play out and, even if their bubble does eventually burst, there will be still be plenty for Zelvia to be pleased about in their debut J1 League campaign.
Yet, it is nothing short of extraordinary that they are somehow leading the way at the moment.
And if Zelvia can just keep it going till the end of the year, what a miracle that would be.
- Gabriel Tan
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