Shiniji Kagawa’s Great Achievement

One thing I write about often is how the Japanese are very sensitive to how they’re viewed internationally, and how making a good impression in the eyes of other nations is very important to them. Whenever a Japanese athlete becomes famous in the world stage their popularity at home instantly soars, with extra bonus points awarded if they’re able to speak an exotic European language like Italian. Last week Japanese soccer player Shinji Kagawa, playing for Manchester United, scored a hat-trick (scoring three goals in one game), a first for any Asian player in that league. Japanese TV cameras showed a pub overflowing with happy British fans shouting Kagawa’s name, which will surely get him a lot of attention here in Japan, and maybe some sponsorship contracts.
Celebration for Kagawa’s hat-trick. Japanese fans are definitely pleased.