Photo/Illutration Japanese soccer fans wearing Samurai Blue uniforms celebrate Japan’s victory over Germany at the Shibuya scramble crossing in the early hours of Nov. 24. (Tsubasa Setoguchi)

Across Japan, Samurai Blue fans celebrated into the early morning hours on Nov. 24 after their heroes pulled off a stunning 2-1 comeback victory over four-time champion Germany in the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. 

Tokyo’s iconic Shibuya scramble crossing was filled with dozens of euphoric Japan supporters wearing the team’s blue uniform.

They ran to the crossing while jumping and screaming, “Nippon, Nippon!” (“Japan, Japan!”) whenever the traffic lights turned green.

Police called on fans to not stop in the middle of the crossing, but the same scene was repeated throughout the night.

In the square in front of JR Shibuya Station, supporters wearing soccer uniforms high-fived each other while shouting, “Japan did it!” and “Congratulations!”

A 20-year-old university student from Yokohama watched the match at an “izakaya” pub with two friends.

“The players gave their best performance,” he said. “I want to share this excitement with everyone.”

JOY IN OSAKA THEATERS

In Osaka’s Umeda district, cinema complex Umeda Burg 7 held a public viewing event in two of its theaters.

The organizers allowed attendees to cheer loudly but asked them to wear masks. They also limited the number of participants to half the normal capacity as part of preventive measures against the novel coronavirus.

Fans packing the viewing rooms erupted in joy when the referee whistled to end the game.

“My mind went blank as soon as their victory was final, and I stood up without thinking,” said Shohei Asada, 39, a company employee who resides in Osaka’s Miyakojima Ward and who watched the game at the cinema complex.

“I hope the players will keep the momentum up and change history,” he added.

PROUD FRIEND OF THE COACH

In Nagasaki, a bar manager brought two TV screens into his restaurant to watch the game with his customers.

The owner, Norihiko Higuchi, 52, is a childhood friend of Japanese team head coach Hajime Moriyasu, 54. They played soccer together from elementary school to high school.

Higuchi was one grade younger but called Moriyasu “Hajime-kun” since Moriyasu reportedly told him: “You don’t have to call me Moriyasu-san. It’s too formal.”

Higuchi opened his bar four years ago after quitting a company to become independent. He named the bar “Poichi,” using Moriyasu’s nickname.

The bar was filled with soccer fans as soon as it opened, along with office workers having drinking parties.

The COVID-19 pandemic hit Higuchi’s business hard, and he hopes the ongoing World Cup will turn the tide, he said.

Before the match against Germany, Higuchi texted his old friend, “Good luck!”

Moriyasu replied, “While being proud to be Japanese, we will fight for the Japanese people.”

“I knew Hajime-kun would do it,” Higuchi said with tears in his eyes after Japan had won. “He just has that something extra.”

(This article was written by Sho Tanji, Yuya Tanaka and Masato Tainaka.)

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