Why Did Japanese Fans Explode After Winning? The Real Reason Behind the Broadcasting Controversy

The Shocking Broadcasting Decision That Angered Japanese Football Fans

In a bizarre turn of events that has left Japanese football fans furious, Fuji TV abruptly ended their live broadcast of the 2025 EAFF E-1 Championship final immediately after the final whistle, depriving viewers of the trophy ceremony and post-match interviews despite Japan's championship victory. The incident has sparked widespread criticism across Japanese social media platforms, with fans questioning why the terrestrial broadcaster would cut short such a momentous occasion for Japanese football.

The controversy centers around Fuji TV's decision to terminate their broadcast coverage right after referee's final whistle on July 15, 2025, when Japan defeated South Korea 1-0 at Yongin Mireu Stadium. This shocking move meant that Japanese viewers missed the trophy presentation ceremony, victory celebrations, and crucial post-match interviews with coach Hajime Moriyasu and players. The only way fans could witness these historic moments was through the paid streaming service U-NEXT, effectively excluding the majority of Japanese football supporters from sharing in their team's triumph.

Japan's Perfect Tournament Performance Overshadowed by Broadcasting Fiasco

Japan's men's national team delivered a flawless performance throughout the tournament, achieving their second consecutive EAFF E-1 Championship title and third overall victory in the competition. Under the guidance of coach Hajime Moriyasu, the team secured three wins from three matches, defeating Hong Kong 6-1, China 2-0, and ultimately South Korea 1-0 in the final showdown. The decisive goal came from Ryo Germain in the 8th minute, with the J-League striker proving to be the tournament's standout performer.

The championship victory was particularly significant as it marked Japan's dominance in East Asian football, with the team composed entirely of J-League players proving their worth against regional rivals. Germain's tournament tally of five goals earned him both the MVP award and top scorer honors, capping off a remarkable debut where he had previously scored four goals against Hong Kong. However, this sporting achievement was completely overshadowed by the broadcasting controversy that followed.

The Irony of Fuji TV's Broadcasting Rights Control

The most frustrating aspect for Japanese fans was that Fuji TV held the exclusive broadcasting rights for the entire tournament, having sold these rights to broadcasters in participating countries. In South Korea, TV Chosun and Coupang Play provided television and online coverage respectively, while Japanese viewers were left with incomplete coverage from their own national broadcaster. This situation created an ironic scenario where Korean fans potentially had better access to Japan's victory celebration than Japanese supporters themselves.

Fuji TV's control over broadcasting rights also explained why the Japan-South Korea match kicked off at the unusual time of 7:24 PM. This precise timing was designed to maximize Japanese television ratings, with the broadcaster calculating that players would enter the field at 7:20 PM, followed by exactly four minutes of pre-match ceremonies. The meticulous planning for broadcast scheduling made the abrupt ending even more baffling to observers, who questioned how a network could be so precise about start times yet so careless about the conclusion.

Fan Reactions and Social Media Outrage

Japanese football fans took to social media platforms to express their frustration with Fuji TV's handling of the championship broadcast. The anger was particularly intense because this was a rare terrestrial television broadcast of Japanese national team football, making the incomplete coverage even more disappointing for casual viewers. Comments flooded online forums with fans asking, 'Why would a terrestrial broadcaster do such a thing? It wasn't like this in the past'.

Many supporters pointed out that while the award ceremony might have been challenging to fit into the schedule, at least the coach's post-match interview should have been broadcast. Others criticized the quality of Fuji TV's subsequent programming, noting that 'the follow-up program was so boring that you'd wonder who would watch it, so they could have extended the coverage a bit longer'. The most damning criticism came from fans who observed that 'now we should be grateful just for terrestrial broadcasters covering sports at all', highlighting the declining state of sports broadcasting in Japan.

A Pattern of Incomplete Coverage Throughout the Tournament

The championship finale wasn't an isolated incident, as Fuji TV had demonstrated similar behavior throughout the tournament. During Japan's match against China, the broadcaster cut off Yuto Nagatomo's post-match interview mid-sentence, with the veteran player's comments about his international comeback being lost to viewers. Similarly, after the Hong Kong match, Germain's interview was terminated abruptly despite his four-goal performance that had captured national attention.

This pattern of behavior suggested that Fuji TV was prioritizing strict adherence to programming schedules over delivering comprehensive sports coverage. The network's approach stood in stark contrast to traditional sports broadcasting practices, where significant sporting moments would typically extend beyond scheduled time slots. Japanese media outlet Nikkan Sports reported that criticism of Fuji TV's broadcasting approach had been building throughout the tournament, with the championship finale serving as the final straw for frustrated fans.

The Cultural Impact and Broader Implications for Japanese Football

The broadcasting controversy highlighted deeper issues within Japanese football media coverage and the declining prominence of the East Asian Championship in the sporting landscape. Football Channel's analysis pointed out that while the tournament's profile might not be what it once was, 'a championship is still a championship'. The failure to broadcast the trophy-lifting moment to terrestrial television audiences was seen as symptomatic of football's reduced media exposure in Japan.

The incident also reflected the complex relationship between Japanese football and its domestic Broadcasting landscape, where J-League players achieving success on the international stage struggled to receive proper recognition at home. This created an paradoxical situation where Japan's football success was being undermined by inadequate media coverage, potentially affecting public interest in the sport. The controversy served as a wake-up call for Japanese football authorities and broadcasters about the importance of comprehensive coverage in maintaining fan engagement and growing the sport's popularity among domestic audiences.

Lessons for Future Broadcasting and Fan Expectations

The Fuji TV controversy has set important precedents for future sports broadcasting in Japan, with fans now more vocal about their expectations for comprehensive coverage. The incident demonstrated that even when terrestrial broadcasters take on sports coverage, they must commit to delivering complete experiences rather than treating sporting events as mere programming content. The availability of alternative viewing options through streaming services like U-NEXT highlighted the fragmented nature of modern sports media consumption.

For Japanese football, this controversy may actually serve as a catalyst for improved broadcasting standards and fan engagement strategies. The passionate response from supporters showed that there remains significant interest in national team football, even for tournaments like the EAFF E-1 Championship that don't feature Europe-based stars. As Japan continues to develop its football infrastructure and nurture J-League talent, ensuring proper media coverage of their achievements will be crucial for maintaining momentum and inspiring the next generation of players and fans.