Japan's overtime defeat of the United States in the 2011 women's World Cup soccer finals inspired a nation suffering from the March 11 disaster and ensuing nuclear crisis. This year will see the club dubbed Nadeshiko Japan attempt to repeat their success at the Summer Olympics in London. Following are some questions and answers regarding the women's national team and its history.
When did women's soccer begin in Japan?
There were some female soccer players and teams that competed in the 1960s and '70s, but the Japan Football Association didn't set up an official women's organization until 1979, when FIFA asked each member country to do so to promote and develop the sport among women.