The Bundesliga has long been a fertile breeding ground for Japanese youngsters aiming to establish themselves on the world’s biggest stage, with the likes of Shinji Kagawa, Wataru Endo and Hiroki Ito all ascending to stardom during their time in Germany.
Others, such as 1970s trailblazer Yasuhiko Okudera, Eintracht Frankfurt legend Makoto Hasebe and Schalke hero Atsuto Uchida, have gone on to spend the majority of their senior careers in the Bundesliga, becoming firm fan favourites at their clubs in the process.
