The 2002 World Cup, which finished exactly one year ago, was supposed the be the event that transformed Japan into a football-loving nation.
 The International Stadium in Yokohama - characteristically empty |
The team boasted nationally revered figures in Junicho Inamoto and Hidetoshi Nakata and a modern, tactically astute coach in Frenchman Phillipe Troussier. No expense was spared in developing the country's stadia, with 10 state-of the-art grounds built at a cost of almost �3bn.
But on the pitch Japan were out-performed by co-hosts South Korea.
While Japan's World Cup dream ended in defeat to Turkey in the second round, South Korea reached the semi-final.
The fanatical Japanese turned out in huge numbers to acknowledge their heroes, but their devotion was timid when compared with the mass celebrations in South Korea as Guus Hiddink's unfancied side upset the odds - and the Italians.
And as the spotlight left the Far East, the dust did not just settle on the tournament but also on Japan's 10 stadiums.
A year after the final, city officials in Yokohama are desperate to find ways of raising money to keep the 70,000 capacity International Stadium financially viable.
Any company wanting to secure naming rights to the ground, which hosted the final between Brazil and Germany, can do so for the princely sum of �2.5m per year.
At the Miyagi Stadium, which cost �365m to build, the situation is even more desperate, with the stadium owners hosting weddings at the ground.
"They are trying to book stadiums for other things but bookings are coming through slowly so some of them are standing empty," said John Maylam of the Japan Times newspaper. "Baseball is still much more popular."
The fortunes of the national team have hardly flourished either.
Troussier quit after the World Cup and Brazilian legend Zico took over.
Zico is a hugely popular figure in Japan having played a significant role in Kashima Antlers' development. But his first 12 months in charge of the national team have not gone smoothly.
"There is a big debate on national team in Japan at the moment," said Maylam.
"A lot of people think Zico should be given more time to bring the youngsters through. My personal opinion is that there is promise and that he needs time."
The team have struggled, failing to win their last six home matches, with many pointing to the fact that key members of the team have played little football for their European clubs.
Inamoto has struggled at Fulham, Takayuki Suzuki spent most of the season on the bench at Belgium club Racing Genk and will return to Kashima Antlers while Nakata is looking for a move away from Parma.
The David Beckham roadshow may still cause mayhem in Japan every time it rolls into town but 12 months after the World Cup it is clear that baseball remains much more popular than football.
The most positive legacy of the World Cup for Japanese football is not likely to be found in the empty stadiums but with the future generation.
"Football is gaining ground and the success of the World Cup opened up the game in rural areas," said Maylam.
"I've noticed that you see more and more kids kicking balls around, whereas it just used to be baseball."
MMIX
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You see more and more kids kicking balls around, whereas it just used to be baseball 