RIO DE JANEIRO (Rio 2016 Olympic Games) - After experiencing some of the lowest moments in the country's basketball history, Japan have come back very strong.

In November 2014, FIBA suspended the Japanese Basketball Federation (JBA) but ever since, the governing body has reinvented its basketball programmes and already some positive and tangible results of all their efforts are starting to show.

One example of this is the success of the women's national team.

They won the 2015 FIBA Asia Women's Championship and as a result qualified for the Rio Olympics.

As if that wasn't good enough, they opened their Group A campaign at Rio 2016 with two straight wins, including one over hosts Brazil.

One man who has followed Japanese basketball's regeneration and return to the big stage is Kiyofumi Tamiaki, the President and CEO of the Molten Corporation.

He is known as the biggest fan of Japan's national teams and has been on hand to witness their games in Rio's Deodoro Youth Arena.

He talked to FIBA.com.

FIBA.com: This Olympics must be special for you as you're able to see the Japanese team having a lot of success. What are your thoughts on the first two wins?
Tamiaki: Those two wins are very special for us because we were suspended by FIBA from playing international games. We have worked very hard to improve our situation. After that six-month suspension, our women's national team won the Asian Championship. Then we came to Rio and won two game in a row. I have no words to explain it. It's unbelievable. On behalf of basketball fans back in Japan, I want to say that we appreciate all the FIBA family and the whole basketball family around the world.

FIBA.com: You witnessed Japan beating Brazil, the hosts. Can you describe how it was to win that game on enemy territory basically?
Tamiaki: It's an unbelievable experience and the best part was when we were leaving the arena, the Brazilian fans said "congratulations" to us. It was very nice. That was an Olympic moment.

FIBA.com: Do you feel like you were the only one cheering for Japan in the venue during the game?
Tamiaki: No even some Brazilians were cheering for Japan. It was a warm feeling.

FIBA.com: If Japan qualify for the Quarter-Finals, how far do you think they can go? Can they win a medal?
Tamiaki: As far as we can go. I believe in that team.

FIBA.com: What is Japan's love of basketball down to?
Tamiaki: Now the stakes are very high now because we will start a new professional men's basketball league and it will be broadcast live on TV. This is a first in Japan.

FIBA.com: How many Olympics have of them have you attended?
Tamiaki: The first Olympics for me was Athens and I have also been to Beijing and London. So this is my fourth Olympics.

FIBA