By ROBERT L. LEE

LAPLACE – Japan’s players arrived into LaPlace after a 16-hour plane trip Sunday evening for two quick days of practice and a taste of American and Cajun culture. The 36 players will take to Hahnville High School’s field at 4 p.m. today to battle Canada’s team, then fit in as much local food and festivities, including Mardi Gras, as they can before the Championship and Bronze Medal games on Saturday.

St. Charles Catholic High School’s coach Frank Monica said 25 local families have been grateful enough to open their homes to one, two and even three players while the tournament takes place this week.

“It’s a unique experience. Without question the families are excited,” added Monica. “The kids are having just the greatest time and they are all very appreciative.”

Japan’s head coach Kazunari Nakazawa agreed and explained how the games and the visit turns into an educational program, where the kids enjoy wonderful experiences with local people and cajun food.

“We’re really excited and the families have been taking really good care of us. We had a really warm welcome and we really appreciate it, especially the guys who can’t speak English very well,” commented quarterback Jun Nagatani, a freshman at Keio.

Nagatani said their host families have taken the players out for pizza, some shopping and have plans to enjoy Mardi Gras.

“We’ll have about two days to enjoy with the families and Superbowl Sunday off, aside from the other parties,” Nagatani added. “This is not just a game, we are meeting people and cultures. It is a great experience

Back on the field, Nakazawa and Nagatani admit the Japanese team is physically smaller, but said they make up for what they lack in size in other areas.

“Most Japanese players are smaller, but I don’t worry about it. We have quickness,” said Nakazawa. “Last year we beat the much bigger Europe team. We have confidence we will do our best in every game this year.”

He said he and his players “really want to meet the American team,” because through the way the teams placed on the brackets, they didn’t have the opportunity to last year. If both the Japanese team and American team win or lose their first games, they will face off in either the Championship or Bronze Medal games Saturday.

“We will do our best the first game,” Nakazawa continued.

“It will be very tough, but we learned many things from last year and how to play against the bigger guys.”

“It’s not the size that matters,” urged Nagatani. “We have really fast guys and our technique is about the same.”

The Japanese players also similar to their American competition, in that they are all under the age of 19 and most also have four years playing of experience football.

Nakazawa said football has been a growing sport in Japan since it was introduced about 70 years ago. Today, about 200 colleges are playing football with almost the same schedule as American teams adhere to.

But, Nakazawa said the big difference is “we don’t have the money,” for football coaches and teams in Japan, especially compared to America.

Although Japan’s interest in football is still on a smaller scale than America’s, Nakazawa said he organized the global team in December and had 100 players at his first practice.

He then narrowed the team to 50 players and eventually the 36 who traveled to the other side of the world for a chance at the Global Championship on Hahnville’s field.