Kazuhiko Sofuku’s dream of spearheading a Japanese America’s Cup challenge became reality yesterday.

The experienced Japanese sailor and Swedish Match Cup winner has been appointed as general manager of Softbank Team Japan, who will be among the teams gunning for Oracle Team USA’s America’s Cup title during the 35th instalment of the “Auld Mug”.

“To lead a Japanese challenge for the America’s Cup is a dream come true,” said Sofuku, who was a member of BMW Oracle Racing, a forerunner of Oracle Team USA and challenger of record for the 32nd America’s Cup in Valencia.

Japan have competed in the America’s Cup three times — in 1992, 1995 and 2000.

As a veteran of four America’s Cup campaigns, Sofuku’s wealth of experience at this level will be a valuable asset to the Japanese challenger.

“This is a great opportunity for Japan and for Japanese sailors to get back into the America’s Cup game,” said Sofuku, who last

competed with a Japanese team for the Cup 15 years ago as bowman for Nippon Challenge during the 1999-2000 Louis Vuitton Cup challenger series.

In addition to challenging for the “Auld Mug”, Team

Japan will also participate in the America’s Cup World Series in Portsmouth in July.

“We are planning to build up our team using America’s Cup World Series events to recruit and train Japanese sailors for our crew,” Sofuku said.

Oracle Team USA, the America’s Cup defender, will provide a “base level” of technical assistance to Softbank Team Japan.

Yesterday’s announcement was a formality as Sir Russell Coutts, the America’s Cup Event Authority and Oracle CEO revealed some time ago that a Japanese team was on the verge of entering.

“I am thrilled to announce that we will be supporting Team Japan at the America’s Cup,” Masayoshi Son, the SoftBank Group representative, said. “Taking on this major challenge at the pinnacle of yacht races matches with the SoftBank Group’s aim to be the global No 1.”

Ko Watanabe, the commodore of the Kansai Yacht Club, one of the most distinguished clubs in Japan, is honoured to have his club involved in the America’s Cup for the first time.

“This is a great challenge to take on, not just for our club, but for the entire country,” he said. “With support from across the entire nation, I am sure we will represent Japan with pride.”

Harvey Schiller, the commercial commissioner for the America’s Cup, said SoftBank Team Japan is a “very positive addition” to the America’s Cup.

“The Japanese challenge will increase interest in the America’s Cup across Asia, which is good news for all of our teams and partners,” he said.

Team Japan’s late entry brings the number of challengers back to five after the withdrawal of Luna Rossa last month.