The Japan Times67%
Fans take over iconic Shibuya Crossing as Japan reaches World Cup knockout round 28%
By Jessica Speed0%
6/26/2026, 7:53:00 AM
Topics: World Cup
BS Summary: This article contains 17 faulty reasoning types, including Hasty Generalization, Availability Heuristic, and Anecdotal, with Biased Writer Voice as the most egregious example at 40.6% saturation with 286 hits. Analysis detected 1,284 faulty-reasoning hits from 705 analyzed words, generating a BS Score of 39% and a BS Rank of 28% (15,770 of 21,886 articles). This article is better (less manipulative) than 72.10% of the article peer group.
Hundreds of soccer fans poured out onto the streets in Tokyo on Friday morning after Japan advanced to the knockout stage of the World Cup following a 1-1 draw with Sweden.
The rain held out just long enough for fans to storm the iconic Shibuya Crossing every time the walk sign turned green, jumping around shouting “Japan, Japan!”
before dozens of police officers herded<b> </b>supporters back onto the sidewalk.
“They keep on getting better every year,” said Haruna Kitabatake, 20, a fan who watched the game live in a pub in Shibuya.
“I think there’s a lot of hope.”
The Samurai Blue, who finished as the Group F runners-up, are set to face five-time champion Brazil on Monday in Houston — early Tuesday Japan time.
Fans crowd a sports bar in Tokyo Friday to watch Japan's game against Sweden in the World Cup.
| Johan Brooks
Fans went through an emotional roller coaster during the game.
After a scoreless first half, Japan broke the deadlock in the 56th minute when Daizen Maeda raced into the penalty area and collected a pinpoint pass from Ritsu Doan with his left foot before using his right to score past goalkeeper Kristoffer Nordfeldt.
Maeda’s goal was Japan’s seventh of the tournament, the country’s most for an entire World Cup, surpassing the six it scored when it reached the round of 16 eight years ago.
Fans react to Japan's game against Sweden in the World Cup at a sports bar in Tokyo on Friday.
| Johan Brooks
At one viewing at a popular British-style pub chain, some fans waved flags they brought after the goal, as others wrapped their arms around each other and bounced up and down cheering.
However, the excitement was dampened six minutes later when Sweden’s Anthony Elanga tied the match, which ended in a stalemate.
While not the win fans were hoping for, the draw was enough to put Japan in the round of 32 as the Group F runner-up, and resulted in hordes of fans streaming out of watch parties and onto the iconic scramble crossing in Shibuya to celebrate.
Dozens of police officers were stationed across the area, holding neon tape to prevent people from crowding in the middle.
Following watch parties at local bars, hordes of fans celebrate in the colors of the Samurai Blue Friday morning.
| Johan Brooks
Police yelled from vans on microphones: “It’s just a day like any other!
Cars are still coming!”
and, “Please be considerate!”
Sweden, which finished third in Group F, also earned a spot in the round of 32.
“There wasn’t much that could’ve been done.
It was a scramble in the box.
We were basically left with no chance,” said Yujo Odagiri, 27, a fan who watched the game at a pub chain in Shibuya.
Drums and chants lead the way as fans converge at one of Tokyo's most crowded intersection.
| Johan Brooks
Although national pride was in full force, both sides displayed sportsmanship, with the Samurai Blue supporters bumping fists with the smattering of Swedish fans, grinning and shouting, “Good game, good game!”
“Sweden’s shots were outstanding.
You have to give credit to the players,” said Shunta Takanari, 25.
Many reservation-only watch parties in sports bars and pubs across Tokyo were at capacity, with fans arriving well before kickoff as viewers crammed in shoulder to shoulder to watch the game.
Cafes, restaurants and almost all locations capable of broadcasting the game also got in on the action.
Scramble Cafe near Shibuya Crossing switched up from selling ice cream and coffee to becoming a makeshift sports bar, with fans gathered outside in hordes, pressing up against the windows to get a blurry glimpse of the TV.
National pride on full display in uniforms, wigs and makeup | Johan Brooks
Some fans even improvised, propping up their laptops on street corners with Bluetooth speakers, setting up their own watch parties on roadsides.
“Japanese people love celebrating with everyone,” said Sachi Kanagaoka, 20, a fan who watched the game live in a British-style pub in Shibuya.
“It’s just such a community, and I love it.”
Aden Max Juarez contributed to this report.
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4speakers16%attributed speech590writer words
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100%flagged-word coverageHaruna Kitabatake
30 attributed words26% of attributed speech72% writer coverage
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