The Power of Sport

The Rugby World Cup 2019 was held in Japan.

The spirit of “no side, one team, one for all and all for one,” through the play and conduct of the athletes, stirred up an unexpected storm of emotion in the hearts of many.

I am one of those who was moved.

The one thing that makes me tilt my head, though, is how often, in interviews with the Japan national players, the phrase “making sacrifices” came up. It is probably just a turn of phrase, but I—perverse as it may be—inwardly offered these words a word of caution: that out of a spirit of sacrifice one can surely never move people and make them happy.

I want to say: “You are amazing. To reach the knockout stage, you endured grueling practice, and with the understanding of your families and society you devoted all your time to rugby, pressing forward ever positively, believing in your staff and teammates—that is precisely why you could produce this result. That act was not sacrifice; it was the belief and sincerity of your own self, just as you are, simply wanting to win. And that is why I hold all of you in respect.”

In any case, players—thank you for giving us the hope and courage to make dreams come true.

So that the spirit born of this excitement does not end as a passing fad but takes root as a culture of Japan, I too will go forward, just as I am.