Every four years just before the Olympic Games begin, the Japanese broadcast, online and print media announce with the confidence bordering on arrogance just how many gold medals the nation's athletes are "expected" to win. The figure is always given as the "minimum expected."

Rarely do the athletes live up to expectations regardless of the magnificent efforts each and every one of them makes.

Similarly, in the run-up to the soccer World Cup the same enthusiasm emerges. Reaching the quarterfinals, possibly even the semis is now the minimum expected of the men's team.