On Sunday, about a hundred dedicated fans of Samurai Blue gathered at the Old Ambassador’s Residence within the Japanese embassy in Washington. They were there to watch the team’s World Cup opening match against the Netherlands.
This diverse group of supporters, which included former English teachers in Japan, state department employees, and embassy staff, relaxed in the front room of the building where a projector was set up. They enjoyed plates of nigiri while sipping on Kirin Ichiban lager and Asahi Super Dry. The atmosphere was tense, with fans wincing whenever the Dutch team approached the goal, only to erupt into cheers and chant “Vamos Nippon” when Daichi Kamada scored a header to tie the game in the 89th minute.
Masatsugu Odaira, the embassy’s minister of public affairs, commented at the watch party, “The World Cup itself is a competition. But from the perspective of policy and diplomacy, it’s a very good chance to connect people across borders.”
During the event, POLITICO spoke with soccer fans who are enthusiastic about Japan’s expanding diplomatic influence and soft power. They hope the World Cup will boost this cultural wave, increasing tourism—a vital part of the nation’s economy—and attracting global attention to Japan.
Andrew Wylegala, president of the National Association of Japan-America Societies, remarked that the World Cup offers “a visceral way to connect people who have not yet had the opportunity to travel to Japan to be swept up in the enthusiasm of an international competition.” He noted that Japan is already excelling in soft power projection, and now soccer complements that effort.
Embassy staff were seen wearing pink shirts adorned with the American and Japanese flags, bearing the message, “Together We Bloom.”
The match ended in a 2-2 draw against the Dutch, ranked eighth in the world, which only fueled the fans’ excitement further.
While Japan’s women’s team has a more impressive record, including a memorable 2011 World Cup victory against the U.S. after a devastating earthquake and tsunami, the men’s team has historically struggled. They have only won seven World Cup matches and reached the round of 16 four times.
However, there is hope that this year the underdogs could cause a stir. With talents like Ajax’s Takehiro Tomiyasu and Crystal Palace’s Daichi Kamada, the Samurai Blue possess the skills necessary to challenge the top teams in the sport.
Odaira expressed his aspiration for this year, stating, “Oh, becoming a champion.”
