NEWS

The Japan national team is being keenly supported by popular Japanese dance-vocal group EXILE, who will create a song ahead of next year’s FIFA World Cup to cheer on the Samurai Blue, it was announced Thursday in Tokyo.

The song is expected to be released as early as the spring.
“I’m really excited about this project,” confessed EXILE member HIRO in a press conference at JFA House.
“Coach Okada’s thoughts on the significance of having a dream and giving a dream to children struck a chord in me and made me feel I wanted to do something with him.”
HIRO added: “I am hoping that we can make a song that can boost the Japan national team and people around the country.”
ATSUSHI, an EXILE member who dreamed of becoming a football player when he was a junior high school student, said, “I am delighted to have been given such a wonderful task. I hope we can make a song to help the national team.”
Japan coach Takeshi Okada commented, “HIRO is really famous but is very modest and has his own philosophy. As I am poor at singing, it would be nice if they can make a song that’s easy for a person like me to sing.”
Asked about Japan’s prospects in the World Cup in South Africa, ATSUSHI said: “I know the opponents in Japan’s group are all strong teams, but I have faith in Coach Okada. I’ve got a feeling that Japan will make it through.”