What kind of sports do Japanese children like?

Typical court of dodge ball

Bandai asked parents who have a child between 3 to 12 years old about favorite sports of their children.
According to the parents 34.3 percents of children like football, influenced by recent success of Japanese women's football team on the FIFA Women's World Cup 2011 and London Olympic Games.

What is your favorite sport?

Boys and Girls
1: Football
2: Swimming
3: Baseball
4: Gymnastics
5: Dodgeball

Boys
1: Football
2: Baseball
3: Swimming

Girls
1: Swimming
2: Football
3: Rope skipping


3-12歳の好きなスポーツは?　オリンピックが後押しか…バンダイ　―リセマム
http://resemom.jp/article/2012/09/13/9826.html

Homare Sawa on TIME magazine

Homare Sawa on "TIME" magazine

Japanese female football player, Homare Sawa was on the cover of Asian version of "TIME" magazine July 30th issue.
She is now playing at Japanese Women's Football team in London Olympic game and was chosen for FIFA World Player of the Year at 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup for the first time as an Asian player.


米誌「TIME」表紙の澤穂希が「かっこいい」とネット掲示板で絶賛される　―livedoor ニュース
http://news.livedoor.com/olympic/london2012/images/6792781/