With the Women's World Cup taking place in June, Japanese women's soccer is entering a key year and hopes are high.
The domestic Nadeshiko League gets under way this weekend across the nation, with the captains and managers of the 10 first-division clubs speaking on Monday about their expectations for the coming season.
Michi Goto, captain of reigning champion Urawa Reds Ladies, insisted that her team would have to leave last season's glory behind and work hard to earn another crown.