Japan is one of the great countries in motorcycle sport. Beyond the history of its manufacturers, the archipelago has provided us with pilots of great talent, from Hideo Kanaya to Tadayuki Okada via Shinya Nakano. But in recent years, the absence of the Japanese has been felt. The breeding ground still remains larger than in France, agreed, but there is still cause for concern. An overview is necessary.
As a reminder, this column only reflects the thoughts of its author. This is a subjective opinion which does not commit the opinion of the entire editorial staff. In this post, I will mention all the Japanese currently present in Grands Prix and their chances of surviving at the highest level.
Takaaki Nakagami
A sort of leader of this generation, Takaaki Nakagami's career unfortunately has more to do with his nationality than his talent. After a decent stint in Moto2, at most, Taka' took the plunge into MotoGP thanks to its sponsor, Idemitsu. The Japanese company financed a second machine from LCR Honda, which previously only had one. Even today, Nakagami wears red and white.
The Sprint was tough, so let's improve for tomorrow's race! #LCR #MotoGP #TN30 pic.twitter.com/W3fKQa3p2Q
- LCR Team (@lcr_team) March 23, 2024
Takaaki is near the end of his career. I don't see him progressing anymore, at all, and doesn't in the least embody Japanese enthusiasm. At 32, he has accumulated disappointing seasons since his breakthrough in 2020 marked by a pole position. Reserved and now very critical of Honda, I imagine it will soon be removed from its golden place.
Ai Ogura

Ai Ogura is no longer at his true level, but can still come back this season. Photo: MT Helmets MSi
Here is the second Japanese in vogue recently. It has happened since he was playing for the Moto2 title in 2022 against Augusto Fernandez. Following a generational blunder in this quest for the crown in Malaysia, he was injured, and took time to return to the highest level. We saw him as Takaaki Nakagami's replacement in MotoGP, but his path gradually moved away from Honda. From now on, he has left the famous “Honda Team Asia”, installed in Moto2 and Moto3 to showcase Asian but especially Japanese talents.
He plays within the brand new Moto2 MT Helmets MSi team, and enjoys riding the Boscoscuro. Already 23 years old (so no longer young), he is in sixth place overall after a good fourth position in Qatar. Hope was reborn, but once again, his teammate was ahead of him. He has not triumphed since the 2022 Japanese Grand Prix; apart from at LCR for a return with Honda, he will have difficulty, in my humble opinion, finding a place among the big boys.
Ayumu Sasaki
The 3 Moto2023 runner-up is the only other Japanese in the intermediate category. I was never a fan of this pilot. Quite messy except in qualifying, he absolutely did not convince me last season, his reference year. Playing the grocer in spite of himself, he was unable to free himself from competition that was within reach of his machine, and spent the entire year being overtaken in the final moments. Ironically, his only success came in the final round, while his rival Jaume Masia was already titled.
To everyone's surprise, he moved to Moto2 even though he only had one really interesting season in Moto3. He is now part of the Yamaha VR46 Master Camp structure, a team set up together by Yamaha and the VR46 brand to promote young talents and in particular the Japanese. Ayumu Sasaki has two retirements in two races so far. We must now pull ourselves together because at 23, Sasaki too will benefit from an even more restricted shooting window if he wants to compete for better teams. Personally, I don't really believe in it. But I hope he makes me lie.

Sasaki during winter testing in Jerez. Photo: Yamaha VR46 Master Camp
Taiyo Furusato
Here is a Japanese guy that I really like. Furusato doesn't look like much, but within the Honda Asia team in Moto3, he is far from ridiculous. He is already 18 years old, of course, but has only progressed since his debut in 2022. He went from two points scored that year to 63 in 2023. For this 2024 season, he has already reached the podium in Qatar at the result of a very good performance against monsters, but suffered the horrors of the race in Portugal.
Furusato, good in the rain, is the specialist in failing his tests, ending up in Q1, and finally qualifying in Q2. He has character, is good in battle, and largely leads his compatriots in the general ranking. Without a doubt, he is one to watch even if he does not have the magnitude of a Daniel Holgado or a David Alonso.

Taiyo Furusato, No. 72, is one to watch closely. Photo: Honda Team Asia
Tatsuki suzuki
Yes, we have the impression that he has been there for 15 years and yet, his start to the 2024 financial year is not ridiculous. His age (26) and his career development clearly show that he is in decline. Three-time Grand Prix winner, Tatsuki had a disastrous experience with Honda Leopard Racing in 2023 despite a victory in the rain in Argentina. Twice he had to abandon his post due to injury. Replaced by Adrian Fernandez, he had no choice but to take the vacant place left by Sasaki at Husqvarna Intact GP.
When we thought he was finished, he took seventh position in Qatar with the fastest lap in the race, and 13th place in Portugal. Nothing exceptional in itself, but still better than last year. He has talent, but in my opinion, the age limit in the lower class set at 27 will end his international career, because the transition to Moto2 for Moto3 veterans is never very convincing.

Tatsuki Suzuki in his works. Photo: Intact GP
Ryusei Yamanaka
Just one more. You realize : there are only six Japanese in Grands Prix. There were 17 of them 20 years ago. And Yamanaka is not the one who should save this generation, barring a miracle. Be careful: he is far from bad, and capable of outbursts. I'm not talking about his sun made in Valencia a few years ago. But his ability to project himself ahead, to stay in the right group.
His problem is simple. At 22, he has already competed in the best teams, those that win all the time, without success. At Estrella Galicia 0,0 (Alzamora), he did not do anything. At Aspar, neither. In the end, in four complete seasons, he still has no victory, no podium, and no pole. In addition, he who only falls very rarely (no fall in 2023) already has two clean results in 2024, in as many races. It’s a safe bet that KTM MT Helmets MSi, with whom it was already in 2022, does not see this very favorably. So I think it's a little short to claim better, if only a good handlebar in Moto2.
To conclude, I will say that Japan is not in a very good position, and that I do not see any serious substitute for Takaaki Nakagami, which means a lot.
What do you think ? Tell me in the comments!

MT Helmets MSi, the last chance for Ryusei Yamanaka? Photo: MT Helmets MSi
Cover photo: LCR Honda