1. Nadeshiko Japan

2. Introduction Nadeshiko Japan is the Japanese women’s football team, participating in World Cups and Olympics. Nadeshiko Japan has been ranked 3 rd in the world and is very strong.

3. Name Meaning The name Nadeshiko comes from a word in Japan called Yamato Nadeshiko Yamato Nadeshiko is a Japanese term meaning the “personification of an idealized Japanese woman", or "the perfect example of pure, feminine beauty". It is a floral metaphor, combining the words Yamato, an ancient name for Japan, and Nadeshiko, a delicate frilled pink carnation. Nadeshiko Japan is meaning “beautiful and nice, quiet women of Japan”. Following the increase in public interest in women's football in Japan, the JFA organized a public contest to select a nickname for the team. "Nadeshiko Japan" was chosen from among about 2,700 entries and was announced on 7 July 2004. がんばれ！ なでしこジャパン

4. Formation of the team During the 1970s, the number of women football players and teams increased in Japan, and teams made up regional leagues in various parts of Japan. In 1980, "All-Japan Women's Football Championship" was held, and in 1981 the Japan women's national football team played its first international match in Hong Kong. The team continued playing matches in Japan or in other countries. In 1986 the first "All Japan" team was created. In 1989, the "Japan Women's Football League" was established, and the women’s national team qualified for the "1991 FIFA Women's World Cup" in China. In August 2002, the Japan Football aimed for the 2004 Summer Olympics and worked very hard. A game against Korea DPR not only made fans rush to the National Stadium but also was widely watched on TV. That team was soon named Nadeshiko Japan and kept playing in World Cups and Olympics. That is Nadeshiko Japan. イケイケなでしこ！ 金が待っている！

5. History and achievements After the formation of the team, Nadeshiko Japan kept on training for the Olympics, and the World Cups. At the Olympics 2008 in Beijing, Nadeshiko Japan unfortunately lost in the semi-finals and also in the bronze final ending 4 th. At the Women’s Football World Cup in Germany 2011, Nadeshiko Japan beat the ranking 1 st USA and gained the cup and the gold! This was a great achievement for Japan. This year the London Olympics 2012 is held and Nadeshiko Japan faced the finals against USA, their rival. But unluckily they lost by 2-1 and gained a silver. But I think they have done very good!

6. Thank you for watching! I hope you learnt some facts about Nadeshiko Japan! By Honoka