Was it success or under-achievement? The Japanese squad for the Vancouver Winter Olympics returned home with five medals and 26 top-eight finishes — both better feats than at the 2006 Turin Games.
But some argued that Japan's accomplishments didn't live up to expectations for the following reasons: Team Japan failed to win a gold medal, did not reach its original goal of more than 10 medals, and Asian neighbors South Korea and China fared far better with 14 and 11 medals, respectively.
"As Team Japan, we wanted to win a gold," said Seiko Hashimoto, who acted as the chief of Team Japan, at a news conference upon the team's arrival in Tokyo last week. "We would like to unite as one and grab a gold medal in Sochi."