Japan's Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi and Japan Football Association President Tsuneyasu Miyamoto met Monday to coordinate safety measures for Japanese fans attending the World Cup [1, 2].
With more than 10,000 Japanese supporters expected to travel to the tournament [1], the government is prioritizing security across the three host nations: the U.S., Mexico, and Canada [1]. The scale of the event and the geographic spread of matches necessitate a high level of inter-agency cooperation to ensure traveler safety.
President Miyamoto highlighted specific concerns regarding the match locations. He said that while many fans are expected to attend the first and third matches in Dallas, Texas, there are concerns regarding the environment in Monterrey, Mexico [1].
"Regarding Monterrey, since it is in Mexico, I have heard voices expressing anxiety," Miyamoto said [1].
Foreign Minister Motegi confirmed that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will coordinate directly with FIFA to implement comprehensive safety protocols for the traveling public [1, 2].
"The Ministry of Foreign Affairs wants to ensure that all possible safety measures are taken for the fans who go to cheer, while coordinating with FIFA," Motegi said [1].
Miyamoto expressed gratitude for the government's involvement, saying that support from government agencies is encouraging for the team to achieve results in such a large tournament [1].
The coordination comes just before the tournament is scheduled to begin June 11 [3].
“"I have heard voices expressing anxiety" regarding matches in Monterrey, Mexico.”
The high-level meeting between the JFA and the Foreign Ministry signals that the Japanese government views the security of its citizens in North America as a diplomatic priority. By coordinating with FIFA, Japan aims to mitigate risks associated with large-scale crowds and specific regional safety concerns in Mexico, ensuring that the logistics of fan support do not become a liability for the national team's performance.
