Well, hopefully the majority of Japan National Team fans were not e xpecting anything revolutionary, or artistically visionary like the "BLUE FIRE" uniforms that the team wore in 1998. When the JFA unveiled the team's new uniforms, to be work at the 2010 World Cup, most of the immediate reaction was a bit puzzled, rather than overwhelmingly positive or negative. On the whole, this is a uniform that we can live with, and Im sure that it will grow on people as time goes on. Then again, it is not exactly a stunner. The design is generally "safe" and unimaginative, though the black "web" on the back adds a bit of interest.

As Japan NT uniforms go, this one will probably go down as one of the least memorable ones -- not as bad as the 2006 World Cup version, perhaps, but a bit disappointing after the understated yet sleek "katana" design of the past three years, and of course, no comparison to the "Blue Fire" design of 1998.

The JFA has also launched a new website (entirely in Japanese, of course) to provide information, graphics and videos of the National Team, starting with its tour of South Africa and Hong Kong, next week, and running through the end of the World Cup. The direct link is below:

http://samuraiblue.jp/