This year marks the 20th anniversary of the opening of the 2002 World Cup (World Cup) Japan-Korea tournament. In Nikkan Sports, entitled “Testimony 20 Years After the 2002 World Cup”, the secret stories told by the key men at that time are serialized. The 4th meeting was by Saburo Kawabuchi (85), who was the vice chairman of the Japan Football Association (JFA) at the time.
The 2002 World Cup Japan-Korea Tournament was held in Asia for the first time in history and as the first co-sponsor. At that time, it was Mr. Kawabuchi who disagreed with the co-sponsorship with South Korea until the end as the vice chairman of the Japan Football Association (JFA). Behind the scenes when the influential solo event disappeared, what I think about 20 years later …, Keyman said sharply.
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Kawabuchi The invitation began just as he was aiming to become a professional player in the league. However, at first I was skeptical. There is no stadium, it is not popular, it is not. I was also worried that Japan could fight in the World Cup. One JFA managing director, Mr. Murata (Tadao), was enthusiastic and felt that he was not very positive in the Japanese soccer world.
It was in 1989 that Japan officially announced its intention to run for the Federation of International Football Associations (FIFA). Mr. Murata boarded the 1990 World Cup Italy tournament and lobbied. However, the reaction of the people concerned in each country and the media is chilly, “Are you serious?” Japan was never excited either.
The invitation to Kawabuchi was quite influential. It was fully supported by President Abelanger (of FIFA). The flow changed after South Korea gave its name to the bid. In 1994, Chung Mong-joon became FIFA’s vice chairman, gaining momentum in South Korea. So I wonder if everyone in Japan is getting serious.
After the inauguration of the J-League and the tragedy of Doha, Japanese interest in the World Cup has increased. It attracted more attention because it was a bid battle with South Korea. The vote by the FIFA board members to decide the venue is June 1, 1996. Immediately before, a co-sponsored proposal emerged.
Kawabuchi Japan wanted to do it alone. He will vote with 20 directors, and if the number is the same, Chairman Abelanger will vote. Japan won with 10 votes. 9 votes, including 3 in South America and 3 in Africa, are certain. I couldn’t read one more vote. However, there was also the idea that in the end, Chairman Abelanger would be the strongest man in Japan.
The sudden turn was on May 30, two days before the vote, when FIFA Secretary-General Burrata called under Vice Chairman Shunichiro Okano. “Korea says it is co-sponsored, but what about Japan?” Behind the scenes was a conflict between Brazilian President Abelanger and FIFA Vice President Johannson of the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA). South Korea approached the UEFA and tried to break the chairman = Japan.
Kawabuchi We gathered at midnight and had a discussion. I said that I should fight hard and vote, but Mr. Okano said, “It’s not that kind of atmosphere.” A director from Africa called me crying and said, “The European Union told me I wouldn’t support if I voted for Japan. I can’t vote for Japan.” The flow was completely leaning towards co-sponsorship.
The Japanese camp rented a small hotel in Zurich, Switzerland, where the FIFA headquarters is located, held operational meetings every day, and read votes. However, Kawabuchi said that this information was flowing to the South Korean side.
Kawabuchi When I greeted the person I met at the elevator, I didn’t get a reply. This is Korea. It was difficult to check the room for eavesdropping microphones. The information about Japan was out of the question.
After all, it will not be voted and will be co-sponsored on May 31st. An unusual situation that ignores the rules of FIFA, which decides to hold the World Cup in one country. I couldn’t lose the management ability and achievements. I was involved in a power struggle within FIFA.
Kawabuchi TV also said, “You can tell by looking at my complexion,” and it was extremely unpleasant. Chairman Abelanger, who declared “in Japan,” also proposed co-sponsorship at the end. I felt betrayed.
Discussions between FIFA, Japan and South Korea have started regarding specific tournament management. Opening ceremony, final venue, tournament name. Kawabuchi was surprised during the negotiations with South Korea.
Kawabuchi: In discussions, I thought that if this goes down, South Korea will also give up. I have the same face. However, when you pull it, it just pulls and pushes. Do not take the middle. Don’t pull it against South Korea. I realized for the first time that the way of thinking was different.
I learned Korean to work with. She also read Korean and Japanese history books. He became interested in South Korea and deepened his understanding when he learned of the relationship between Japan and South Korea that had continued since Toyotomi Hideyoshi sent troops to Korea. It was a necessary preparation for co-sponsorship.
Kawabuchi I also learned that Japan had arrived in South Korea, and I thought that anti-Japanese sentiment was not unreasonable. But that’s it, this is this. Don’t hesitate to have a principle for co-sponsorship. However, I’m glad I studied.
Kawabuchi said that co-sponsorship required mutual understanding. That led to the subsequent relationship between Japan and South Korea. With the decision to co-sponsor the World Cup, not only soccer and sports, but also cultural exchanges such as art and music became active.
Kawabuchi The co-sponsorship of the World Cup was good for understanding each other and building good bilateral relations. As I was studying various things, I came to think that it was good to be co-sponsored. The relationship between Japan and South Korea is not as good as it was then, but there is still exchange. If Japan won the vote at that time, it would have been a worse relationship than it is now.
Although it wasn’t the one that was originally envisioned, the World Cup held a lot of legacy. That is why Mr. Kawabuchi says loudly that he was glad he did it.
Kawabuchi No. 1 is a volunteer. Sports volunteers, which were not common in Japan until then, have spread all over the country. I learned the importance of “supporting” sports. That led to the Rugby World Cup and the Tokyo Olympics. Stadiums have been opened all over the country, and the number of J clubs has increased. It was also the trigger. He left behind various things, tangible and intangible. The power of sports is wonderful.[Koichi Ogishima]
◆ Saburo Kawabuchi Born in Osaka Prefecture on December 3, 1936 (Showa 11). He was active as a forward at Mikunigaoka High School-Waseda University in Osaka, and joined Furukawa Electric in 1961. He participated in the 1964 Tokyo Olympics as a representative of Japan. After retiring from active duty in 1970, he has served as director Furukawa, director of the Japan national team, and director of the strengthening department of the Japan Association. When he became the general affairs manager of the Japan League in 1988, he embarked on reforms and founded the J League. He was the first chairman, vice president of the Japan Association from 1994, and chairman of the same from 2002 to 2008. He also contributed to the professionalization of basketball. He was also the head of the Olympic Village at the Tokyo Olympics.
