The 2011 season is going to be a crucial one for the Japanese players on major league — or minor league — rosters in the U.S.

For some, it could be the final chance to achieve stardom in the Big Show; for others it will be an effort to continue performing as age creeps up, and still others will be striving to avoid injuries that have held back their careers in the American and National Leagues.

Questions to be answered are the following: