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Niigata Nippo collaborates with seven newspapers for special project "Turning One Voice into Power" timed with newspaper convention
On October 15, coinciding with the 67th Newspaper Convention in Niigata City, the Niigata Nippo published a 20-page special insert. Using Japanese soccer as its theme, it powerfully advocated the role and appeal of newspapers through a collaboration of seven papers. Fifteen companies sponsored the insert, including Kirin Beer, AOKI, JT, and Pilot, which placed full-page advertisements.
The seven collaborating newspapers were Kahoku Shimpo, Niigata Nippo, Shinano Mainichi Shimbun, Kyoto Shimbun, Kobe Shimbun, Sanyo Shimbun, and Chugoku Shimbun. The front page featured a simple visual of blue sky and a soccer ball with the catchphrase: "The soccer fever of 2014 hasn't cooled down yet." Page 2 carried comments from former Japan national team coach Takeshi Okada, praising Germany for its efforts to grow the fanbase through various events like parent-child soccer clinics. Page 4 explained the rationale behind calling for collaboration among regional newspapers: to support Japanese soccer from the local level by carefully gathering and conveying the passionate voices of supporters. It concluded, "We believe that people's will and regional passion are the true strength of Japanese soccer." Page 5 prominently displayed the words "One voice becomes strength."
Pages 7 and beyond featured interviews from various newspapers. The Shinano Mainichi Shimbun interviewed a 28-year-old man who serves as the "call leader" for the Ultras Matsumoto supporter group of Matsumoto Yamaga FC. The Kyoto Shimbun focused on a 25-year-old female supporter of Kyoto Sanga F.C. who stated, "I can't imagine life without soccer." The Kobe Shimbun interviewed a 16-year-old boy who finds his greatest joy in singing Vissel Kobe's supporterz, Inc. song "Kobe Anthem" behind the goal. The Chugoku Shimbun approached a sixth-grade girl, a Sanfrecce Hiroshima fan, who said, "If they win, I want to see the next game; if they lose, I want to cheer them on even more." The Sanyo Shimbun listened to a couple in their 70s, fans of Fagiano Okayama, who cheer while watching players young enough to be their grandchildren. The Kahoku Shimpo featured a 41-year-old male fan of Vegalta Sendai who holds the strong belief that "People who can sincerely support someone or something earn support from others in return."
Page 16 featured coverage by the Niigata Nippo. It included the voice of a 41-year-old woman who said, "Before my illness, I cheered with the mindset that it wasn't a win unless we won the match. But after recovering and being able to go back to Big Swan Stadium, I realized how happy I am that Albirex is in Niigata. Just being able to go to the stadium makes me happy." Page 18 featured the company's president, Toshizo Oda, appearing in Albirex Niigata's uniform. Prefacing his remarks by stating that newspapers uniquely possess the ability to penetrate deep into local communities, he expressed his resolve: "Moving forward, while cherishing our connections with colleagues nationwide, we want to pursue initiatives that only a newspaper company can undertake."
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