Photo/Illutration Players toss Akinobu Okada, the Hanshin Tigers manager, in the air after winning the Japan Series at Kyocera Dome Osaka on Nov. 5. (Shota Tomonaga)

After 38 years, long-suffering Hanshin Tigers fans finally could let loose their tears and joy after watching their heroes rout the Orix Buffaloes 7-1 on Nov. 5 to win the SMBC Japan Series title. 

The Tigers, who claimed the Central League championship for the first time in 18 years, beat the Buffaloes at their home stadium, Kyocera Dome Osaka, to win their fourth and deciding game in the best-of-seven series.

The series marked only the second time in history that two teams from the Kansai region squared off.

But unlike intense rivalries and fan clashes often associated with European soccer matches, the "Kansai derby” stood out for its cordial atmosphere.

"This time, fans and local communities purely enjoyed the thrill of the series competition, showing the way sports should be, which is friendly and peaceful," said Hidesato Takahashi, a professor of sports sociology at Nara University of Education.

The Kansai region also is a winner, with economic benefits generating an estimated 12.1 billion yen ($80 million) in sales of food and drinks, merchandise, broadcasting rights and victory-related sales, according to Katsuhiro Miyamoto, a professor emeritus of mathematical economics at Kansai University.

The Kansai economy has been on a downward trend, with Aichi Prefecture closing the gap with Osaka Prefecture in terms of gross domestic product in recent years.

"I hope the positive effects of this event will help revitalize the local economy," said Miyamoto.

The regional matchup ensued after the Buffaloes won the Pacific League pennant for the third consecutive year.

The Tigers won the first game 8-0, then lost the next two games. They won the fourth game at their home stadium, Hanshin Koshien Stadium, on a walk-off hit. The Tigers came from behind to win the fifth game to take a 3-2 series lead, but lost the sixth game to tie the series at 3-3.

The championship also marked the successful return for Tigers manager Akinobu Okada, 65, who had experienced the team’s last Japan Series championship as a player in 1985.

Okada returned as manager this season after stepping down in 2008. 

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