Back in 1992, before they had even qualified for the FIFA World Cup for the first time, and at a time when football in the country was in the doldrums, Japan announced their "100 Year Vision" to win the tournament by 2092.
In 2005, with two World Cup appearances now under their belt, the Japan Football Association brought forward the timeline: 2050 was now the target.
The Samurai Blue have now featured at every World Cup since their debut in 1998; the 2026 edition will be their eighth consecutive appearance. They have not dropped out of the top 20 in the world rankings since 2023, and are capable of naming an entire 26-man squad of Europe-based players if they wished to, with plenty more on the periphery.
All signs are pointing towards a team that is firmly on the right trajectory -- but how close could Japan get in 2026?
- World Cup squads ranked: Of all 48 nations, who can win this summer?
- Karlsen: Ranking the 21 best U21 players at the 2026 World Cup
- All the 2026 World Cup group-stage kit matchups revealed
Firstly, it must be acknowledged that while Japan have not exactly reached the highest echelon of nations that will be regarded as legitimate contenders, the World Cup has always been a stage for the dark horses.
Croatia finished third on debut in 1998 when they were 19th in the world rankings. They were actually one spot lower when they agonizingly had to settle for a runners-up finish 20 years later. Surprise 2002 semifinalists Türkiye and South Korea were ranked 22nd and 40th respectively at the time. Last time around, Morocco were also the world's 22nd-ranked team when they reached the last four in Qatar.
Japan's current standing will not be a deterrent to the potential that they could go far. Neither will their personnel, even in the absence of Kaoru Mitoma and Takumi Minamino.
Picture a starting lineup of Zion Suzuki (Parma), Tsuyoshi Watanabe (Feyenoord), Kō Itakura (Ajax), Hiroki Itō (Bayern Munich), Ritsu Dōan (Eintracht Frankfurt), Wataru Endo (Liverpool), Ao Tanaka (Leeds United), Yukinari Sugawara (Werder Bremen), Takefusa Kubo (Real Sociedad), Daichi Kamada (Crystal Palace) and Ayase Ueda (Feyenoord).
That is an entire XI playing in Europe's top seven leagues based on the UEFA club coefficients, many at clubs who regularly feature in the Champions League and Europa League.
It is the profile of a national team that should be having an impact at the World Cup. Yet, the Samurai Blue are yet to even make it past the round of 16.
Perhaps the biggest hindrance to Japan taking the next step is themselves.
They have already shown they can match it with the best, having beaten both Germany and Spain at the last World Cup and only missing out on the quarterfinals through a penalty shootout defeat to Croatia. Over the past seven months, the Japanese have recorded first ever victories -- albeit in friendlies -- over Brazil and England.
The most frequent criticism of Japan coach Hajime Moriyasu is a perceived overcautiousness when the stakes are highest.
Those victories over Germany and Spain in 2022 came via a counterattacking game plan, and that is fair enough. But it was peculiar that he also set them out with a wait-and-see approach in the one game where they looked the outright favorites -- only for them to fall to a shock 1-0 loss to Costa Rica, their only actual loss at the tournament.
Of course, it would be foolhardy for Japan to suddenly opt for all-out attack when taking on some of world football's leading lights -- as they will in their first Group F outing against Netherlands on June 14.
But surely progress can also come in the form of smaller steps. Not employing a complete soak-and-counter approach. Attempting to control more of the possession even against stronger opponents. And looking to be the proactive team in those 50-50 contests, like their other Group F ties against Tunisia and Sweden.
How Moriyasu sets his team out from the start of the tournament will provide a good indication as to how far they might go simply because it will boil down to self-belief. Being a realist should not come at the cost of ambition.
Maybe Japan can only win the World Cup when they start playing like a team that believes they can beat any opposition? Their past results certainly show they can.
Injuries have not helped Japan's cause. The losses of Mitoma and Minamino have robbed them of two of their most dynamic and experienced campaigners, capable of influencing the outcome of a contest on their own.
Still, their next-man-up philosophy means that will not be used as an excuse. Certainly not when the replacements are potentially coming from the Premier League or Bundesliga.
When Japan became the first team other than the co-hosts to qualify for the World Cup all the way back last March, there was a steely focus amid the obvious joyous celebrations.
Wingback Sugawara, then playing in the top flight of English football with Southampton before their relegation, told ESPN: "Our future is to win the World Cup. That's the main thing for us."
It is clear Japan's target is to win the World Cup, as soon as this year even. Reiterating that belief verbally is one thing; showing they do believe in the way the play on the pitch is a different thing altogether.
And, on their journey to delivering on their promise of winning the World Cup by 2050, maybe showing progress this summer will be good enough -- even if it is a small step.
Reach the quarterfinals for the first time ever. And then dream bigger.