"Japan’s 'Kamikaze T-shirts' Should Be Kept Out of World Cup Support"...Seo Kyoung-duk Says, "Report It Immediately If You Spot It"

[Financial News] As the 2026 FIFA World Cup approaches, Professor Seo Kyoung-duk of Sungshin Women’s University has called for a strong response to Japan’s 'Kamikaze' cheering campaign.
On the 11th, Seo said, "The World Cup is the biggest global festival where football fans around the world come together, but there is something that must be watched closely. 'Kamikaze' cheering must not appear again."
He argued, "The 'Kamikaze' cheering by Japan supporters caused controversy at both the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa and the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. If the same thing happens again at this year’s 2026 FIFA World Cup, FIFA must stop it."
Kamikaze refers to special attack units in which Japanese military pilots in the final stages of World War II carried out suicide attacks on Allied ships and other targets using bomb-laden fighter planes.
Seo described it as "a term that symbolizes Japan’s inhumane suicide attack units."
He also pointed to an incident during the Qatar World Cup, when Japan supporters were stopped by stadium security after cheering with the Rising Sun Flag. He said, "It was highly meaningful that FIFA officially regulated cheering with the Rising Sun Flag." He added, "However, at the same tournament, some Japan supporters were seen cheering while holding T-shirts with the word 'Kamikaze' printed on them, which sparked another controversy."
According to Seo, Japan supporters also drew international criticism at the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa after wearing 'Kamikaze' headbands while cheering.
He said, "If 'Kamikaze' cheering appears again at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, I will immediately raise the issue with FIFA." He added, "I will also inform media outlets from around the world covering the tournament and push for the issue to become an international public debate."
He continued, "We will keep responding so that 'Kamikaze' cheering never appears again on the World Cup stage." He urged, "If you spot any related cheering at the stadium or on TV broadcasts, please report it immediately."
Meanwhile, the 2026 FIFA World Cup will be co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico, and will kick off on the 12th, Korea time.
y27k@fnnews.com Seo Yoon-kyung Reporter