Homare Sawa, the 2011 Women's World Cup Golden Ball and Golden Boot winner, was named FIFA Women's World Player of the Year on a historic night for Japanese soccer Monday.
Norio Sasaki, who guided Nadeshiko Japan to an astonishing first ever World Cup triumph at last summer's finals in Germany, won the Women's Coach of the Year, while the Japan Football Association also won the Fair Play Award.
Barcelona's mercurial Argentine forward Lionel Messi landed the men's Ballon d'Or award, becoming the first man since former France international Michel Platini to take the title three years in succession, while the Men's Coach of the Year award went to his club coach, Pep Guardiola.