The NFL, the most popular sport in the US is struggling to make it's mark in other countries.

Japan is not an exception. As in other countries, Football, is struggling to replace the "Football" , which is Soccer, in each territory as the number 1 sport.

However do give credit for the NFL for trying in Japan. Within the limitations they are doing all they can do. They have a quality website, they have an official shop in Tokyo and Osaka, they have programs on terrestrial TV (though it is late night), all despite a very very small fan base. The actual number of football players is said to be only 18,000.

The one element missing however I believe is the strategy aspect of the game.
Behind the amazing runs from the running backs, the bash sacks of defensive ends and stunning passes from the quarterback and the exotic cheerleaders, Football is all about strategy.
3-4 alignments, 4-3 alignments, blitzes, audibles, west coast offense, no-huddle, 4 wide receivers, play action, all kinds of schemes are going on during the game it's basically a real physical chess match.

That actually is a compelling sell to the Japanese. The Japanese love their strategy. Wether it's about business books, playing shogi or roll playing games of the Three Kingdoms, the Japanese love their strategy talk and games. (many seem to have trouble applying all the knowledge but I'll leave that to a totally different discussion). The most obvious and most similar example can be seen in their love of talk of Soccer formations. The Japanese love to discuss about 4 backs, 3 backs, a 4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1 and it goes on and on.
I think one of the reasons why Rugby has lost some of it's fans is because of the lack of strategy talk.

How much strategy goes into one Football game is fascinating. The fun and complexity of how much goes into a game can be found in the following books.

The Games That Changed the Game: The Evolution of the NFL in Seven Sundays

Take Your Eye Off the Ball: How to Watch Football by Knowing Where to Look

There is not much more the NFL can do to market the sport in Japan. Sure they can grind it out with grass roots activities. But before they go that route, it maybe worth a try to sell it to those office workers, those strategy lovers. It just seems like a perfect match. Once they hook up to the quality and amount of strategy that goes behind the game, they may come to appreciate a sport that is so uncommon to them. Who knows, they may even come up with strategies never seen.

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