<Anchor>



Prior to our game, today (5th) at 12:00 PM, Japan will play the round of 16 first.

Japan, which has passed the qualifiers in first place in its group, is looking at its best performance ever in the World Cup.

Then let's connect Tokyo.



Correspondent Park Sang-jin, it's raining there.

Still, the enthusiasm for cheering doesn't seem to cool down.

How is the atmosphere?



<Reporter>



Yes, there are less than 4 hours left before the Round of 16 between Japan and Croatia.



The Japanese people wishing for victory are excited with anticipation.



There is even a prospect that the best ever World Cup performance of the quarterfinals is possible as it passed the preliminary round by defeating strong Germany and Spain in the group of death and finishing first in the group.



[Japanese citizen: I prayed for Japan to beat Croatia 3-0.

I will continue cheering you on until the night.]



Japan doesn't do street cheering like we do, so group cheering events take place at restaurants and theaters.



Japanese media are pouring out articles analyzing the strength of the Croatian team, saying that the national team will beat Croatia and rewrite Japanese football history.



It is also noted that if Japan beats Croatia and Korea beats Brazil, the World Cup Korea-Japan match will be held.



It was to the point where Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Seiji Kihara, who appeared on a broadcast yesterday, said, "I want to see the match between Korea and Japan fighting to advance to the semifinals."



<anchor>



I really want to see that game too.

There was an analysis that the World Cup going well like this would help the Japanese economy, but what about in reality?



<Reporter>



Yes, sales of related products are also increasing due to the promotion of the Japanese national team.



In the case of the national team jersey, it is sold more than 10 times more than usual.



[Sports goods store employee: (Japan team) only hopes to win.

I've been cheering you on like that.]



Sales of pizza and drinks have also increased significantly, and we expect sales to double before the round of 16.



In Japan, the economic effect of the World Cup so far is expected to reach 163 billion won in our money.



(Video coverage: Han Cheol-min · Moon Hyun-jin, video coverage: Jung Yong-hwa)