Kashima Antlers and Japan striker Atsushi Yanagisawa was named the 2001 "Footballer of the Year" on Wednesday in a poll of Japanese soccer writers.
Yanagisawa received 50 of the 269 votes cast with Antlers teammate Mitsuo Ogasawara in second place for the second straight year with 43 votes. Jubilo Iwata midfielder Toshiya Fujita, who won the players' player of the year award, was third on 33 in the 41st year of the award.
In his first international game in eight months, Yanagisawa scored twice against Paraguay in July and went on to add three more goals for Japan during the year as he staked his claim for a starting place in the World Cup finals.
Yanagisawa also scored 12 goals in the J. League to help Kashima successfully defend its J. League title.