Why This Topic Landed in Japan

The World Cup combined the country's biggest sporting interest with the perennially combustible topic of Japan-Korea relations. With South Korea on the verge of elimination by its own results, Korean media and fans were read as blaming Japan for "not trying" against Sweden, which sparked a strong backlash online. At the same time, controversial calls in the Sweden match — including on-air complaints from former international Keisuke Honda — and the draw of powerhouse Brazil in the knockout round drew serious attention from football fans.

Key Reaction Themes

  • Derision at Korea shifting blame — The dominant reaction mocked Korea for blaming Japan instead of its own failure, with calls to "win on your own."
  • Split views on the refereeing — Some complained the referee favored Sweden and missed a penalty; others coolly argued he was merely poor, not biased, and that fans were overreacting.
  • Anticipation and anxiety over Brazil — Many braced for "the toughest draw," while others noted Japan had beaten Brazil in a recent friendly and that "it won't be one-sided."

What Japanese Netizens Are Saying

Backlash at Korea blaming Japan for the draw

Japanese reactions of exasperation and rebuttal toward a near-eliminated Korea blaming Japan.

Sources: Yahoo! news, Yahoo! news, 2ch

Comments:

  • "I can't find any words other than 'serves you right.'"
  • "Their own (lack of) ability showed."
  • "Japan isn't playing for Korea's sake, so getting mad on your own that we were 'useless and annoying' is the height of rudeness."
  • "Wishing on others to do the work."
  • "Then could you post the same results in this group? You'd go 0 wins, 2 losses, 1 draw at best."
  • "It's because your own national team doesn't do its job."
  • "Sorry, but blame the referee."
  • "Relying on others to an absurd degree."
  • "It's hilarious how desperately they feel inferior to Japan. They just can't admit they lack the ability."
  • "Go look after your own country."

Controversy over the refereeing in the Sweden match

Complaints that "the ref favored Sweden," balanced by cooler takes.

Sources: Tokyo sports, 2ch

Comments:

  • "Maeda getting taken down early was a penalty too."
  • "A ref who blows the whistle that quickly is really no fun."
  • "The ref was just a bit bad, not pro-Sweden."
  • "Drawing fouls is part of being strong, you know."
  • "Gyokeres wasn't getting fouls called for him either, so it was normal."
  • "Japan's fouls got overlooked too, so the standard was inconsistent, but it's not like Japan was hugely disadvantaged. People are overreacting."
  • "He'd blow the whistle for nothing, call contact where the ball didn't even touch — quite a referee, but Japan, used to matches against Middle Eastern sides, didn't fall apart."
  • "'You're kidding!' was genuinely a 'you're kidding' situation — a strange referee."
  • "The center ref looked flustered, like 'a Swedish player went down, so just blow the whistle and call a foul.'"
  • "It was funny that when Kamada shouted, the other side got a card once — an indecisive referee."

Brazil as the knockout opponent

A tie with a powerhouse is set, mixing anticipation with anxiety.

Sources: Yahoo! news, Yahoo! news, 2ch, 2ch

Comments:

  • "The biggest match of the Reiwa era — if we win, that really is a new vista."
  • "I'm glad we get to play Brazil in the tournament."
  • "If we're going to play anyone, I wanted a strong side, so the Brazil match is too exciting."
  • "Today's Brazil isn't that much of a threat. There's a real chance to win."
  • "Watching today's match, it doesn't look like we can beat Brazil — we might get thrashed."
  • "We beat Brazil in the recent Kirin Challenge Cup, so it's not impossible. And honestly, since the Mineirão tragedy of the 2014 Brazil World Cup, the Brazil team hasn't looked that sharp."
  • "If only we at least had Kubo..."
  • "Who thinks about losing before it even starts?!"
  • "Honestly, they're not overwhelmingly strong."
  • "Honestly, isn't third place better? Second means Brazil → Argentina; third means France → Germany."