On the 21st, one day after Japan's national soccer team qualified for its eighth consecutive World Cup, head coach Hajime Moriyasu (56) held a press conference in Chiba City. With the goal of winning the World Cup in sight, he made an unusual request to the media.

Moriyasu, the coach of Japan, has been selected to take part in two consecutive World Cups, the first time for him to do so as a head coach. He emphasized his determination to surpass the last tournament in Qatar, where the team lost in a penalty shootout and finished in the round of 16, and to aim to win the championship.

The "strongest ever" Japanese national team, which passed the final qualifying round in the fastest time in history, is of course intent on improving the team's strength. Coach Moriyasu then revealed his thoughts, saying, "When I look at the countries that have won the World Cup so far, I feel that you can't win unless it's something the whole country cares about."

He continued, "I would like you to join in and support Japan's battles. Making it a topic of interest throughout Japan will energize the players on the pitch. I don't mind criticism from the media, so I would like you to expand the circle so that more people can watch the national team's matches."