At long last, the Japan men's national team can legitimately begin its developmental project as its skipper has finally stepped onto the boat.
Julio Lamas, who was announced in April as the new coach for the Akatsuki Five, arrived in Japan to get to work on his latest mission after he wrapped up his duty with an Argentine club last week.
"We've finally made it here," said Lamas, who led San Lorenzo de Almagro to the Argentine League championship for the second straight year as the team ended the series in five games over Regatas Corrientes last Saturday, through an interpreter at a Tokyo news conference on Friday.