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Chinese fans gathered in Shanghai sports bars to support Japan's national soccer team during World Cup matches, displaying team flags and celebrating Japan's victories. The organizers, who grew up watching Japanese anime like Captain Tsubasa, say their fandom is rooted in personal history rather than politics, even as government relations between China and Japan have been strained.
Why it matters
Japan ranks 16th in FIFA world rankings and is the top Asian team, while China is ranked 91st and has qualified for the World Cup only once, in 2002. According to longtime Japan fan Fu Jinyu, Japan has built a modern soccer ecosystem with youth development and fan culture that has reached European-level competitiveness, contrasting with China's struggles in the sport. This makes Japan's success a source of Asian pride for fans like those in Shanghai, regardless of historical tensions.
What to watch
Some Chinese fans report encountering online animosity for supporting Japan, though those in Shanghai say the city is relatively open-minded. When Japan played China in Xiamen in 2024, one supporter noted there was minimal conflict among fans traveling together, suggesting the divide may be more pronounced in online spaces than in person.
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