Japan national football team
Japan is the first team from outside the Americas to participate in the Copa América, having been invited in both 1999 and 2011. However, Japan declined their invitation on 16 May 2011, after events related to the difficulty of releasing some Japanese players from European teams to play as replacements. On 17 May 2011, CONMEBOL invited Costa Rica to replace Japan in the competition; the Costa Rican Football Federation accepted their invitation later that day.
Yoshika Matsubara
Matsubara believes that in order to build a strong football nation, it is important for Japan to nurture its youth. Having spent time living abroad in his youth, he also emphasizes the importance of travelling abroad while you are young. Through various activities, he aims to foster humans who can thrive in the world, and represent Japan.