China's gain will be Japan's gain - Okada

TOKYO - Former Japan coach Takeshi Okada says he moved to manage China's Hangzhou Greentown to develop the game in Asian soccer's sleeping giant, and in doing so help the Blue Samurai grow stronger.

Okada, who left Japan's national team after leading it to the last 16 at the 2010 World Cup, spoke of a "crisis" in Asian soccer and said unless the game in the region becomes more competitive, his home nation could suffer.

The 55-year-old has signed a one-year contract with Hangzhou, one of a flurry of big-name moves to the Chinese top flight in the past week after Chelsea striker Nicolas Anelka and former Fulham and Monaco manager Jean Tigana were both snapped up by Shanghai Shenua.