fifa world cup 2022

Japanese fans rejoice after dramatic World Cup win over Germany

33 Comments

The requested article has expired, and is no longer available. Any related articles, and user comments are shown below.

© KYODO

©2024 GPlusMedia Inc.

33 Comments
Login to comment

The Mannschaft has everything to play for. The Samurai Blue thunderbolt should bring out the best from the Germans in Qatar.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

CaptDingleheimerToday 12:13 am JST

I'm glad not to be present in Japan for the 72 hours following that win, which would be in the words of a fellow former expat I spoke with today, "insufferable".

I'm certain that they too are glad that kill joys are not present.

-2 ( +1 / -3 )

The highest levels of gloating over a win seem to be reserved for when a Western opponent is the vanquished, such as in this match with Germany.

It's natural to celebrate more based on the ability of the opposition. Germany is a massive team, 4 time WC winner - and were my tip for a SF spot. At least. Hence the impromptu millions of Japanese dancing in the streets on Wednesday morning. If it were Brazil, Spain etc we would see the same.

I believe Moriyasu-Japan can beat England - if they do, the street party will be ten times more than what we saw for the Germany win!

0 ( +2 / -2 )

A big win for Japan both on the field and in the streets, maskless at long last.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

"Is this a file photo from pre-covid? They should be masked shouldn't they?"

I agree. Where are the masks???

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

I'm glad not to be present in Japan for the 72 hours following that win, which would be in the words of a fellow former expat I spoke with today, "insufferable".

Being in Japan for several Olympic Games was bad enough… both the gloating that came with a win, the media coverage (TV stations choosing to tune out the final gold medal men’s basketball game in order to air the synchronized tiddlywinks quarterfinals because a Japanese team was involved, then abruptly cutting that coverage mid-tiddlywinks when it became clear the Japanese team would get a thumping), and the whining and complaining and excuses that came from a Japanese loss (“the Japanese speed skater fell because the South Korean skater’s unorthodox skating style in the previous race rendered the ice too choppy for a fair match”). Unsportsmanlike conduct often played a roll, as when a fallen Japanese halfpipe snowboarder laid in the middle of the snow at the bottom of the pipe crying and pounding his fists into the snow for 30 seconds instead of gracefully getting up and moving out of the way for the next competitor.

The highest levels of gloating over a win seem to be reserved for when a Western opponent is the vanquished, such as in this match with Germany. I’m not sure what the odds were coming into the game, but I doubt a crowd of fans would take over the Shibuya scramble crossing to celebrate a win over Indonesia. The inferiority complex shines brightly in these moments. I’m reminded of the many performative professional wrestling matches that were scripted for a Japanese to win over an American in the years following WWII, in order to boost public morale; outcomes that were supposedly sanctioned by occupying US forces to help toward completion of their mission to rehabilitate that society.

I suppose I'm happy for them all, as happiness is a contagion and half of my family is now Japanese. But I sure am glad I'm not there to stew in the middle of the gloating for the next several days.

1 ( +3 / -2 )

Like there's no Spanish in central and South America 

huh !?

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Yes, it was a good win, but it was only one win. The way they are all carrying on you’d think Japan had won the World Cup.

well they didn’t declare a public holiday like Saudi Arabia did

3 ( +3 / -0 )

Awa no Gaijin

However soccer is British.

No football is British.

1 ( +5 / -4 )

Smiling people, joyful atmosphere and youthful happiness on display.

What a joy to see.

5 ( +5 / -0 )

I will be shocked if every pub, bar and izakaya the length and breadth of Japan does not have the "full" sign on the door on Sunday! Record alcohol sales I predict!

4 ( +6 / -2 )

Spain is next one.

it’s actually Costa Rica (on Sunday)

6 ( +6 / -0 )

Great to see Japanese back dancing in the streets after such a long absence! Never give up your famous passion and emotion!

A sea of tears and millions of litres of beers were in full flow last night! Wait until the Costa Rica match... it will be a street party from Okinawa to Hokkaido!

5 ( +6 / -1 )

Interesting to see some people that today for the first time acknowledged the World Cup was happening or even talking about soccer for the first time since years of knowing them.

I usually go to all of the Japan team's Osaka and Kobe games whether it is the Kirin Cup or Asian qualifiers. Tickets are easy to buy and hardly anybody I know knew they played the night before unless the news announced they clinched a spot in the WC. There are either die-hards or bandwagoners. A lot of bandwagoners use it as an excuse to run around Shibuya like they do for Halloween lol

-2 ( +1 / -3 )

Good win for Japan's team . . . however, revelers should still be wearing masks until all Covid is down . . . .

-10 ( +3 / -13 )

Sadly 3-5 people in this photo tested positive for covid tomorrow.

-10 ( +1 / -11 )

Interesting to see some people that today for the first time acknowledged the World Cup was happening or even talking about soccer for the first time since years of knowing them. Hard to overstate the effect one victory of the national team can have on the popularity of the sport on the general population.

4 ( +5 / -1 )

@rcch

Ball possession is a real worry for the rest of the tournament. Maybe was it the coach strategy to let the German team come and try counter attacks.

As for the celebration, nearly nobody, even the players I am sure, was expecting them to win. So, it is only natural they celebrate that way

5 ( +6 / -1 )

Well done Japan, one of my teams.

England

Wales

USA

Fans are not wearing masks in the photo.

2 ( +7 / -5 )

Today  05:00 pm JST “ Yes, it was a good win, but it was only one win. The way they are all carrying on you’d think Japan had won the World Cup. “

There was a couple of things that I didn’t like about the Japanese team yesterday; a) twenty six percent of ball possession and b) the way they celebrated after the game; you’d think they won the final, or at least their group, but it was just(!) the first game; yes, it was against Germany, but it’s just one game; if they want people to look at them with respect and if they want the other teams to fear the Samurai Blue, they shouldn’t behave like they’re San Marino or some other tiny country. Anyway,

congratulations,

enjoy and

keep working hard (!) :)

0 ( +4 / -4 )

A stunning come back indeed, Well done Japan Congrats.

7 ( +11 / -4 )

Goal Goal

-2 ( +3 / -5 )

No masks. Beautiful!

1 ( +13 / -12 )

Maybe these folks in the photo noticed that cheering, chanting, and singing during the matches is fine (you’re not allowed to do any of that in Japan during sporting events, clapping only). Also ZERO masks in the stands.

1 ( +9 / -8 )

Yes, it was a good win, but it was only one win. The way they are all carrying on you’d think Japan had won the World Cup.

Getting to watch your team playing in the world cup and winning against 4 time champion Germany live with hard core fans. Mate, I will celebrate like there is no tomorrow, too.

5 ( +7 / -2 )

Is this a file photo from pre-covid? They should be masked shouldn't they?

-14 ( +5 / -19 )

Yes, it was a good win, but it was only one win. The way they are all carrying on you’d think Japan had won the World Cup.

-10 ( +5 / -15 )

It's just heartwarming to see Japanese being able to show their faces while expressing their joy and excitement in watching the world cup, much more the victory against a formidable team. I hope the locals in Japan can slowly understand how the world has moved on without wearing masks but still able to live.

5 ( +16 / -11 )

well done guys well done.Spain is next one.

-7 ( +7 / -14 )

Login to leave a comment

Facebook users

Use your Facebook account to login or register with JapanToday. By doing so, you will also receive an email inviting you to receive our news alerts.

Facebook Connect

Login with your JapanToday account

User registration

Articles, Offers & Useful Resources

A mix of what's trending on our other sites