Japan women's team get World Cup bonus payments

TOKYO (Reuters) -- Japan's all-conquering women's soccer team will receive cash bonuses of 6.5 million yen ($84,000) per player for their astonishing World Cup victory last month, the Japan Football Association (JFA) said on Wednesday.

The JFA raised the bonus by five million yen after they defied odds to win the tournament in Germany, beating the hosts before knocking out Sweden and overcoming the mighty United States on penalties in a nail-biting Frankfurt final.

"We think the figure is commensurate," said JFA vice president Kozo Tashima, adding that coach Norio Sakai had been given an added 4 million yen bonus.

Japan's "Nadashiko", named after a frilly pink carnation symbolising grace and stoicism, are also to receive the rare People's Honour Award.

The government said this week Sasaki's players would become the first team to win the prestigious award for giving Japan a ray of hope after the deadly tsunami in March.