Japan National Soccer Team Coach Hajime Moriyasu Live Appearance: Looking Back on the World Cup “Behind the Scenes of the Fierce Battle” with the Coach[Hoso Station](July 3, 2026)

We ask Hajime Moriyasu, head coach of Japan’s national soccer team, about the fierce battles at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. ■Behind the scenes of fierce battles: The real faces of the players (Q. I feel like the supporters were also able to create wonderful memories with their wonderful games and plays day after day. Thank you for your hard work. Thank you very much.) Coach Moriyasu Hajime: “We are truly the people who supported us, as well as our supporters.The reason why the circle of support was so large was because the media reported on it, and we were able to turn it into our strength, so thank you very much.” (Q. Coach Moriyasu uses the phrase “fighting together.” Did you approach each game with that mindset?) Coach Moriyasu Hajime: “In order for us to win the World Cup, we have to fight as a whole country, so I would like to ask you to fight together, and I am asking you to fight together because I believe that if we win, the Japanese people both at home and abroad will be happy.” (Q. Are you tired?) Coach Hajime Moriyasu: “I’m fine. I’m always energetic.” (Q. The Japanese national team seemed to be particularly united this time. Where did that good atmosphere come from?) Coach Hajime Moriyasu: “There are a lot of players who think, “I’m the best,” “I’m the king,” but they all share the same aspiration to fight for their friends, for the team, and above all for Japan. I think that’s why the atmosphere was so good.” (Q. Maybe the people who think they are the best can create true teamwork.) Coach Hajime Moriyasu: “I think they are putting it into practice.” ■ Behind the scenes of the match against the mighty Netherlands (Q. The first match in the group stage was against the Netherlands. How did you feel when they caught up and drew 2-2?) Coach Hajime Moriyasu: “I thought the players fought really tenaciously, and as I watched the game, I realized that Japan’s position and the phase in the world competition had changed. This is because teams with a higher FIFA ranking than us push us overwhelmingly with their strength, but the Netherlands fought tactically from the beginning and solidified their defense. We were able to play against a team that we had never experienced before.” (Q. The opposing team knew from the beginning that Japan’s level was increasing.) Coach Hajime Moriyasu: “I think the opponent was also wary. This is also true of the contents and results of international matches and friendly matches, but Japanese players have been active on the European stage, so I think they have been wary of Japan from their daily scouting as well.” (Q. In the difficult second match against Tunisia, you scored 4 points. Your performance in that match was reliable.) Coach Hajime Moriyasu: “The team didn’t really get any results in the second game, so we wanted to make a change in history first, so the players held a lot of player meetings.We’re definitely going to keep our heads up, win here, and solidify our hopes for the next stage.” They really worked hard to keep things connected.What made me happy was that so many Japanese supporters came to the stadium in Mexico, and both Mexican and foreign people were so supportive of Japan. ■The coach’s aim to give Brazil a “first lead” (Q. Japan’s first match against Brazil was to get through to the first round of the finals. We were overjoyed when we took the lead against Brazil. What were you thinking at that moment?) Coach Hajime Moriyasu: “Scoring the point gave Brazil a boost, so I thought we had to fight with more concentration and tenacity. Above all else, we didn’t want to get too defensive. Of course, the opponent was going to attack, so we had to defend well, but I was thinking and telling the players that we should not just play defense, but also play defense that goes to steal the ball and attack after defense.” (Q. In the second half, Brazil changed their tactics to increase cross balls and were closing in on Japan’s goal. What were the instructions and voices given to the players at that time?) Coach Hajime Moriyasu: “Brazil might change their tactics at halftime, so we showed them past data and gave them some options.Brazil are desperately trying to put the ball in front of the goal regardless of what they do, so we want to be able to withstand this.” I think we have to do that. In the past, there have been many cases where we have been defeated like this, so I think we need to be able to defend before letting the ball go up, bounce the ball well, and push the opponent down in order to create an attack.” ■Intention of Brazil’s onslaught of “player changes” (Q. In the 11th minute of the second half, they allowed an equalizing goal from a cross ball and were caught up. In response, Japan dropped offensive players such as Doan and brought in defensive players such as Sugawara. Did these player changes work well tactically?) Coach Hajime Moriyasu: “I don’t think it was bad tactically, but if we had made that change before we conceded a goal, we might have been able to prevent the goal and maintain our concentration and tenacity.” (Q. Was there anything about Brazil’s onslaught in the second half that exceeded your expectations?) Coach Hajime Moriyasu: “There wasn’t anything that exceeded my expectations, but I thought we would make it.Up until now, we had fought very tenaciously, including in friendly matches, and we were able to come out victorious in the end, but I think there was more going on on the pitch than we expected.” (Q. What were the intentions of each player substitution?) Coach Hajime Moriyasu: “The reason why we changed the two players on the side was because Brazil were simply attacking from the side and putting the ball in front of the goal, so we stopped crosses and crossers. First of all, we stopped those side attacks. That’s when I changed it. Furthermore, (Kamata) Daichi was complaining of some discomfort in his legs, so I switched him to (Tanaka) Ao. In any case, I was expecting it to be 90 minutes, or rather an extension of 120 minutes, so I expected Daichi, (Sano) Kaishu, and Ao to play for 120 minutes in the middle. ■What Japan lacks in the “Wall of the World” The words “we need to develop our individual strengths” have come up many times from Japanese players after the tournament, and goalkeeper Ayane Suzuki had this to say. Ayane Suzuki: “The scene where we conceded our second goal against Brazil.The opponent took a shot with a different timing, and I was able to react and touch the ball, but if I had touched it more by just 1 millimeter, the ball might not have gone inside.For me, I can make decisions calmly in my head and know what needs to be fixed.Of course, I feel frustrated, but I’m already moving on to the next step.I clearly know what I should have done.” (Q. He said with confidence, “I know what I should do next down to the last millimeter.” Do the other players have their own thoughts and awareness?) Coach Hajime Moriyasu: “I think each player has a very good grasp of what they need to do. Also, I think they’re increasing their options for responding to various situations through experience, and they’re getting stronger so that everyone can respond naturally.The same is probably the case with Ayane.The better the opponent, the more obedient they are. That’s what happened in the previous scene, too. He pulled Tomiyasu (Takehiro) in and created the right timing to pass. I think this game will show us the ability to react when the opponent’s level increases.” (Q. I guess bridging the difference in millimeters or tenths of a second is infinitely far away, or it’s difficult even though it’s within easy reach.) Manager Hajime Moriyasu: “I think you’re right. The more you reach out, the farther it feels, or rather, it feels like you can quickly overtake someone, but I think that playing in millimeters or tenths of a second, or even the slightest positioning, can make an infinitely large difference.” ■What Japan achieved in the World Cup (Q. How do you feel when you see foreign players on the World Cup pitch?) Coach Moriyasu Hajime: “I didn’t want to be in the position of watching. It’s really frustrating. I wanted to win and be a source of energy for the people, and I hope that by winning, I’ll give you pride and confidence as a Japanese person, and give you courage in the future. I really wanted to play four more games, but it’s really disappointing.” (Q. Are the feelings you felt after the Qatar World Cup the same as those you felt after the match against Brazil? Or are they different? How do you feel?) Coach Hajime Moriyasu: “In a different way, I feel like we’ve gotten closer to the world.However, in my opinion, both World Cups are actually the same.The goal is for Japanese soccer to become the best in the world by 2050, and I personally am a part of history, connecting the past with the present. If possible, I would have liked to be the best in the world right now by performing to the best of my abilities, but I have always been working to help improve my current level in order to become the best in the world in the future, so I don’t think it has really changed much. Even at the World Cup, my state of mind hasn’t really changed.” (Q.What do you think has changed the most about the Japan national team that you have been together with for 8 years?) Coach Hajime Moriyasu: “I think the thing that has changed is that the mentality of the players has definitely changed.I think they can look at any opponent from the same perspective and think about whether they won or lost, and what they were able to do or not do.Everyone has ideals, but they have to do their best to overcome the reality in front of them. I think it has changed a lot in terms of the ability to fight against any type of opponent while simultaneously taking on challenges for the future. Up until now, we have been more of a passive defense and counter-attacker.The concept of “from good defense to good attack” hasn’t changed, but I think our mentality of controlling and fighting has definitely changed.” ■Developing “heroes” who decide the match (Q. I would like to see hero-like players in Japan. How can such players appear in Japan? Can you train them?) Coach Hajime Moriyasu: “Is it possible to develop them? Personally, when I create a playing model, I’m often told things like, ‘You just end up with the same players, like Kintaro Ame.’ But I think it’s like in Spain and other countries, where there is a playing model, and then the players with the highest level and the players who stand out are born from that model. One thing I can say is that I think it’s important not to pigeonhole them too much, and to take a close look at each player’s individuality.” ■What is the path you have in mind for the future? (Q. Have you completed the last 8 years? Do you feel like there is anything left unfinished?) Director Hajime Moriyasu: “I am not empty, but I have continued to work hard every day with the feeling that it would be okay to finish here, so I guess that means I have completed it. 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