The fact that he was an Asian player assuming an important role greatly increased his popularity .
Upon joining George Washington , feature profiles on Watanabe were published by several popular newspapers , such as The New York Times and The Washington Post .
The fact that Watanabe was an Asian Watanabe assuming an important role greatly increased Watanabe 's popularity .
Upon joining George Washington , feature profiles on Watanabe were published by several popular newspapers , such as The New York Times and The Washington Post .