Japan’s Soccer Coach Wants to Make New Year’s Day a Soccer Tradition
On January 1st, 2025, Japan’s men’s national soccer team manager, Hajime Moriyasu, appeared on NHK’s New Year’s Day live broadcast. During the show, he shared his personal wish to reinstate a cherished tradition: making major soccer matches a staple of New Year’s Day celebrations in Japan.
the conversation began with singer masashi Sada,who reminisced about the Emperor’s Cup final,once a beloved New Year’s Day event. Sada noted the shift away from this tradition, prompting a thoughtful response from Coach Moriyasu.Sada posed the question, “It was January 1st, right? It’s different now. isn’t that right? Is that an adult situation?”
Moriyasu responded, ”I think it’s an adult situation. Though, there might potentially be a part of him doing it to protect the players and make sure they get enough rest. I think there are various reasons.” Sada playfully retorted, “Don’t give me an answer like a manager,” eliciting laughter from the audience.
Despite the logistical challenges,Coach Moriyasu expressed his strong belief in the value of a New Year’s Day soccer tradition. He stated, “However, (personally) I think it’s definitely better to play Japanese soccer on New Year’s Day. Families involved in soccer had the fun of watching them compete on New Year’s Day. Even people who don’t know much about soccer can turn on the channel and watch it while relaxing at home on New Year’s Day.” He envisioned this not just for the Emperor’s cup, but for broader promotion of the sport.
Sada wholeheartedly agreed, sharing a deeply personal anecdote. “So do I,” Sada said, his voice filled with emotion. “We watched the Mitsubishi-Yanmar final when I was a third year high school student and my younger brother was a first year student. I still can’t forget this. Even now. It wasn’t the time when we played soccer like that. (Still) I’ll never forget that enthusiasm. My younger brother was a Kamamoto fan and I was a Sugiyama fan.” He passionately recalled the 1969 Emperor’s Cup final, adding, “I’d like to see the Emperor’s Cup final and costume award held on January 1st.”
Moriyasu’s comments highlight a broader discussion about the role of tradition in sports and its impact on fan engagement.The nostalgic appeal of a New Year’s Day soccer game resonates with manny, suggesting a potential chance to reignite interest and build stronger community ties around the sport.
