Japan’s Secret Weapon Isn’t on the Pitch: Inside Moriyasu Japan’s Clubhouse Advantage

Struggling with everything they tried to do

“I’ve been covering the World Cup since 1998, but I’ve never seen a tournament this bad!”

A veteran writer who has covered every World Cup since the 1998 France tournament, where Japan made its first-ever appearance at the competition, expressed his frustration.

He was not talking about Moriyasu Japan, which has been delivering dominant performances on the pitch and continuing its remarkable run. While Japan celebrated the national team’s success, members of the media were facing severe difficulties behind the scenes—an experience completely opposite to the team’s achievements on the field.

The sudden suspension of media shuttle bus services was only the beginning. After matches, reporters must battle against article deadlines, and media centers are normally open for around four to five hours afterward. However, at this tournament, they closed roughly two hours after matches ended.

Whether you call it efficient or overly business-oriented, one thing was clear: there was almost no sense of hospitality. Compared with the 2022 Qatar World Cup, where a massive media center in the city center operated 24 hours a day, the difference was enormous.

Then, on June 14, the day of the Japan vs. Netherlands match, a major problem occurred.

The venue was Dallas Stadium in Texas, USA, which hosted the highest number of matches during the tournament, with nine games scheduled there.

Security checks for spectators and staff were extremely strict at this World Cup. For media personnel bringing in high-tech equipment such as cameras and laptops, passing through airport-style X-ray inspections was mandatory.

Given America’s strict approach to counterterrorism measures, the need for security was understandable. The problem, however, was the number of inspection lanes available.

At the Qatar tournament, there were five to ten entry lanes specifically for media personnel. In contrast, Dallas Stadium had only one lane.

A massive line quickly formed in front of the entrance (photo 1). Some reporters had to wait as long as an hour and a half just to enter, standing under the blazing sun the entire time.

Saved by “APA Gohan”

Adding to the difficulties was the intense ultraviolet radiation. Both Dallas and Nashville, Tennessee—the base location for Japan’s national team—frequently recorded a UV index of 10 out of 11, among the highest levels.

Large amounts of sunscreen were provided at training grounds, and not only players but also staff members applied generous amounts before practice. The brutal sunlight took a serious toll on reporters covering this tournament, where shuttle buses were frequently canceled without warning and long waits became a regular occurrence.

The rising cost of living was another major challenge.

Tickets for the Japan vs. Tunisia match attracted attention because even the cheapest seats cost nearly ¥70,000 (around $470). But the effects of inflation and the weak yen were also felt in the simple restaurants inside stadium media rooms.

For example, even a basic green salad cost a steep $11 (around ¥1,800) per plate. The number of Japanese media members using these facilities was likely at its lowest ever.

The Japan Football Association (JFA) has become the savior of reporters struggling through these hardships thanks to its extensive support.

At the media center at Japan’s training camp, Shake Shack hot dogs (photo 3) are distributed every day. Providing each person with a meal worth $5.48 (around ¥900) for free is an extremely generous gesture.

From Kirin, the JFA’s main sponsor, reporters receive drinks such as Nama-cha and Kirin Lemon. The day after the Netherlands match, perhaps as a celebration of Japan securing a draw, bottles of Kirin Ichiban Shibori beer were distributed, sending the media into excitement.

Other donated supplies lined the room as well, including “APA Shacho Gohan” retort rice from APA Hotel, canned mackerel in water from Kyokuyo, and cup noodles from Toyo Suisan.

The reporter immediately tried the “APA Gohan.”

Because it is cooked directly over a gas flame and packed immediately after being freshly prepared, the rice was surprisingly fluffy and separated grain by grain—far from what one would expect from a retort product.

The mackerel in water had a refreshing lemon flavor and paired perfectly with the rice. The packaging, featuring a large photo of Fumiko Motoya, president of APA Hotel, was certainly eye-catching, but the donation was genuinely appreciated for being kind not only to reporters’ stomachs but also to their wallets.

Inside the ¥6.5 Billion Clubhouse

While media members have voiced dissatisfaction with FIFA’s tournament operations, the Japan Football Association (JFA)’s support system can be considered among the best it has ever provided. The most notable example is the clubhouse, a facility directly connected to the players’ physical condition and recovery.

For Japan’s national team training camp, the JFA rented the clubhouse of Nashville SC, a club in the U.S. soccer league. The facility was built three years ago at a cost of $40 million (approximately ¥6.5 billion), and the entire building is meticulously maintained, with not even a speck of dust visible.

The facility is also equipped with a hot-and-cold contrast therapy area (photo 5), which has become a major aid in helping players recover from fatigue.

Inside the facility are not only ultra-low-temperature cryotherapy saunas, designed to promote full-body blood circulation, but also two oxygen capsules, which are said to help with recovery from fatigue and injuries.

There is also a regular dry sauna (photo 6), though it is a small one that can accommodate only about three people and does not have a löyly function. Even so, many players use it as part of their efforts to keep their bodies in peak condition.

One thing that personally caught the writer’s attention was the large supply of Clorets chewing gum placed in the locker room used by the manager and coaching staff. It seemed to reflect the subtle concerns of modern coaches in the Reiwa era, who have to be mindful of their breath while giving instructions to players.

With the Japanese public watching and cheering on the rapidly advancing Moriyasu Japan, behind the scenes, both staff members and reporters are also working tirelessly day after day.

From the July 10, 2026, issue of “FRIDAY”