Photo/Illutration Supporters of FC Machida Zelvia rejoice after the team was promoted to the J.League’s J1 division on Oct. 22 in Machida, western Tokyo. (Hiromichi Fujita)

Momoko Sakura, the late creator of the popular manga series “Chibi Maruko-chan” (Little Maruko), recalled episodes from her teen years in a manga book titled “Hitorizumo” (literally, “A one-person sumo match”).

One episode made me ask myself, “What is Tokyo? What is one’s hometown?”

Sakura was a high school student living in Shimizu, Shizuoka Prefecture, when her classmate told her, “Tokyo is a fun place.”

She wanted to go but afraid to travel alone, she asked a relative to accompany her and act as her tour guide.

However, the place the relative first took her to was the western Tokyo city of Machida.

Not only was there no Tokyo Tower, but nothing Sakura was looking forward to seeing in the capital was there: No celebrities to gawk at, no “takenoko zoku” dance group teens in Harajuku.

Feeling completely let down, Sakura groused, “Is Machida really Tokyo?”

Does this offend Machida residents? Or rather, are they feeling boastful right now to declare triumphantly, “Sure, there is no Roppongi Hills in Machida, but our city has the FC Machida Zelvia soccer team.”

Let me congratulate them for their team’s dream-come-true promotion to the J.League’s top J1 division.

For years, the citizens of Machida lovingly watched over the growth of their home team.

The Asahi Shimbun’s Tokyo edition recently reported on their exhilaration.

“I wanted my hometown to be something I could be truly proud of,” one fan gushed.

Another was quoted as saying, “While being rooted in the community, the team carries our expectations on its shoulders. The expectation will continue from now on, too.”

Such upbeat comments made me happy.

Back to Sakura’s book. The day after her stay in Machida, she was taken to Harajuku. But somehow, she just didn’t find it exciting.

Upon her return to Shizuoka, she mumbled to herself, “What’s so great about Tokyo?”

Tokyo--oh, I mean Machida--is a city that makes you truly appreciate your own hometown.

--The Asahi Shimbun, Oct. 26

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Vox Populi, Vox Dei is a popular daily column that takes up a wide range of topics, including culture, arts and social trends and developments. Written by veteran Asahi Shimbun writers, the column provides useful perspectives on and insights into contemporary Japan and its culture.