SAMURAI BLUE appears in the Thai subway!

From June 1st to 30th, the Japan Football Association (JFA) is running the "SAMURAI BLUE in Chatuchak Park Station" campaign in Bangkok, Thailand. Utilizing the heroic images of the Japanese national team (SAMURAI BLUE), the campaign takes over the station interior with graphics and other displays at the Chatuchak Park Station on the Bangkok Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) system. This station sees heavy passenger traffic throughout the day as a transfer point for buses and trains from the suburbs, and is also used by tourists from around the world.

This initiative was launched because all of Japan's international friendly matches against Costa Rica and Zambia, played in Tampa, USA, prior to their entry into Brazil, as well as all of their matches at the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil, will be televised in Thailand. It is based on the belief that the support of people in Thailand, another Asian nation, will be a powerful force backing Japan as they compete on the world stage.

The campaign slogan was "Cheer for JAPAN, team of Asia!" It expressed the wish for people to cheer together for the national team of one Asian country. It also announced the schedule for Japan's matches at the Brazil tournament.

 

The graphics are displayed across various spaces, including escalators, elevators, ticket gate floors, and platforms. The large, impactful visuals of the players attract attention, with some users stopping to take commemorative photos.

This campaign, the first installment of the "Cheer for JAPAN, team of Asia!" initiative, is currently exclusive to this location. However, expansion to other Asian countries is under consideration. Where will SAMURAI BLUE appear next? The campaign video featuring the Thai subway can be viewed on the JFA's official YouTube channel, JFATV. The video features the uplifting soccer anthem "Victory Smile with You," created by the unit "Ukaskadji"—a collaboration between Mr.Children's Kazutoshi Sakurai, renowned for his love of soccer, and rapper GAKU-MC.