I have lived in japan and my wife is Japanese and I go all the time. When the olympics come around they go nuts for it. The Marathon, judo, ice skating etc...Anyone who wins gold will be a star and get fat endorsements deals. One of the best ping pong girls in the world is Japanese and she is always one TV. If a Keirin rider could win gold...he would be out there I think.
I may be wrong but the Japanese Keirin track is much bigger no? A few years ago I know all the top track cyclist from around the world did a Keirin tour in japan. I wonder how well they did on Nihon no turf. Someone know?