TOKYO (2016 Rio Olympics) - Japan's women are full of ambition as they look ahead to this summer's Olympics. The Far East team clinched a spot in the Rio de Janeiro Games last year with a second straight title at the 2015 FIBA Asia Women's Championship.

They were fun to watch and without a doubt the best team in the competition. The experience is one that the players, and the fans, will never forget.

No one in the side is happy just to be taking part in the Olympics, though. The players want to send out a statement about Japanese basketball. They want to be an elite team. Just how far do Japan see themselves going in Brazil? The answer is very far.

When FIBA.com asked two-time FIBA Asia Women's Championship MVP Ramu Tokashiki if there was anything in particular that she was looking forward to experiencing at the Olympics in Rio, she responded: "Of course, the game against USA. It would be great if we could meet them in the Final. I will do my best."

Japan's women have not appeared at an Olympics since 2004 but will travel to South America with their confidence high. The team is unbeaten in the last two Asia Championships and has an international basketball star in Tokashiki. By rubbing shoulders with some of the game's greatest players in the WNBA, where she plays for Seattle, her self-belief has grown.

"Sue Bird, whom I played with in the Seattle Storm, and my basketball icon, Diana Taurasi, have been big influences on me," Tokashiki said.

When I talked with Sue Bird, she said 'The Olympics is what you should definitely try to reach for and the best place to play.' All of the words from Sue Bird, who has three gold medals in the Olympics, have influenced me a lot when playing basketball. I would like to stand on the same line with them [Bird and Taurasi]. And I would like to show our basketball to the world at the Olympics. - Tokashiki

Japan entertained while dominating at the last couple of continental championships but that was not the case at the 2014 FIBA Women's World Championship, where the team lost all three of its games. The absence of injured point guard Asami Yoshida was a debilitating factor.

"Yoshida's presence is big in the team," Tokashiki said. "We have been in the same team in Japan (JX-ENEOS Sunflowers) and since my graduation from high school, we have been playing together for six years. In the first two years, it was difficult to catch her 'killer' passes but now, I understand the timing of the passes and what she is thinking during a game better than anyone in the national team. She is the most reliable point guard with whom I have played so far."

Asami Yoshida (JPN) is Japan's outstanding point guard

One thing about Tokashiki that stands out is her infectious smile. She always has it on the hardwood.

"I enjoy expressing myself with basketball on the court so I think I naturally smile," she said.

When the game gets tough, I think I try to talk with other players and play with a smile to make them feel relaxed and motivate them. - Tokashiki

As for that ambition of Japan, Tokashiki sure has plenty. She envisions herself not only being an Olympian this year and in 2020, when Tokyo host the Games, but even beyond that.

"I don't think playing in the (Rio) Olympics will be an opportunity of a lifetime," she said. "Including the Tokyo Olympics in 2020, I would like to play in at least three Olympics."

FIBA