With a new coach, a new captain and a new pin-up, Japan's women' volleyball team has the perfect stage on which to test its newfound confidence and ambition in Tokyo this week.
From Wednesday to Sunday, Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium will host the final round of the FIVB World Grand Prix, the annual international spike fest for the leading women's teams in the world.
The top five from the 12-nation qualifying round will join Japan and play three matches per day, the host team always contesting the evening's game to guarantee high viewing figures for host broadcaster Fuji TV.