I understand the reason, but I do not agree with it. I would wait two years with Harimoto and give a chance to another player. Become a national team member is the next goal of Harimoto. If they put in the team and say 'you will represent us in Olympics, you are a fix member' that goal disappears. Of course, HT can say 'I wanna beat everyone in the world' but that isn't that concrete. He trains with national team members, he know their skills well and that gives him a touchable motivation. Beating a less known opponent, for example Ovcharov? 'Yeah, he plays very well and I have to be better.' This way he can't feel what should he reach. Beating a well known opponent, for example Mizutani? 'Last week we played a tough match! I have to improve my FH loop to win. Next week I should take a few more point!' I hope you can feel the difference!
The gap of the mens team is indeed wider, but in another 2 years, a 16/17 year old then could become top 3 in Japan and become a medal opportunist for 2020
What is wrong with bringing a 15 year old to WTTTC? check where FZD is today.
And i'm sure you know, "put him into the team" doesn't = he is already in the olympics....
Remember, these guys look into the future, and are not like a walnder or timo boll where they continue playing until 35 and not having a continuation plan
Every few years or 5 years, you will get another japanese player into the top 20 in the world. this is facts
The girls part is easier to tell with the older players coming out for likely 2 young ones with kasumi if she is still up there in 4 years time. Or they will just field 3 young players. The young girls are already as good as the older ones and can only get stronger when they hit 20 years old
But i'm sure you don't agree with the current and only country with a 2 coaching staff to 1 player ratio of contingent of genius to prepare for gold
Other than human resource, there is a lot of money provided for the preparations of it
The young kids imo has been doing well the pass 2 years of tokyo 2020 planning
with another 2 to 3 years to go, we can see if the plan is on track, so far japan's youth is much better than the previous genius as a whole unit