Toru Taniguchi has been handed the perfect boost as he bids to top the Japan Golf Tour money list for the second time, by being chosen to play for Asia in the Royal Trophy 2008.

Taniguchi has now been confirmed to be part of Joe Ozaki's team which aims to prevent Europe completing a hat-trick of victories when the continents collide in Bangkok from January 11-13.

That is deserved recognition for an outstanding 2007 campaign, which has brought Taniguchi three tournament victories.

Japan's top-rated golfer heads into this week's final event, the Golf Nippon Series JT Cup, as a firm favourite to repeat his 2002 triumph as Japan's leading money winner.

He is nearly 20million Yen ahead of nearest challenger, but cannot afford to be complacent with a top prize of 30million Yen on offer this week.

But Taniguchi admitted being named to play for Asia in the Royal Trophy under Japanese golf legend Joe Ozaki's captaincy had done wonders for his confidence.

He commented: "It is a great honour to be chosen to represent Asia. It could not have come at a better time when I have so much to aim for this week."

"The first experience of playing in such a prestigious team tournament last January was quite an eye-opener for me. Everything about the week was truly memorable.

"The atmosphere, the setting, the crowds, and the sense that this was such a big event were all wonderful. We were up against a very powerful team, with six of their eight players having played for Europe in the Ryder Cup, where they have assumed an almost invincible air in recent years.

"It is impossible to exaggerate the benefits of having such vast experience of team golf. Europe had so many ready-made pairings, and all the players seemed to know instinctively when to attack the course and when to play safe.

"I am sure I learned a great deal from my first Royal Trophy, and I believe it helped me to re-examine my own game, and emerge as a better player.

"I want to prove that by helping the Asian team turn the tables on the mighty Europeans – and hopefully make the three billion people from our continent very proud of us as their golfing representatives."

Taniguchi has certainly had a year to remember. He has clocked up three victories, including back-to-back wins in the Woodone Open Hiroshima, and the Nagashima Shigeo Invitational Sega Sammy Cup.

His subsequent victory in the Japan Open Golf Championship was his 14th career success, and this year he has maintained an impressive stroke average of 69.82, easily the best on the Tour.

Taniguchi has reached as high as 34th in the world ranking this year which entitled him to a third trip to the US Masters in April, and barring an unlikely loss of form he will also qualify for the rest of the 2008 Majors and all the World Golf Championship events.

Taniguchi recognises that is essential if he is to help Asia make a bigger impact on the world stage.

He added: "It is important for Asian golfers to get as much experience of international competition as possible. Then we will find it easier to come together as a team and make our people proud of us."