A special issue of Time magazine to be published Monday highlights 25 living Asian heroes, including Japanese sports stars Ichiro Suzuki and Hidetoshi Nakata, who are featured on the cover.
The issue focuses on Asians whose lives and work have a profound impact on the people around them. The heroes demonstrate the inherent potential -- untapped in most individuals -- to overcome self-doubt, almost impossible odds and steadily persevere to attain goals, Time said.
Seattle Mariners outfielder Ichiro and soccer player Hidetoshi Nakata of Italy's AC Parma have emerged as symbols of modern Japanese men possessing "individualistic proactive spirit," the magazine said.
Award-winning film director and actor Takeshi Kitano, popularly known as Beat Takeshi, is also among the heroes.