Key Facts
• On December 30, Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi (64) attended the Japan Exchange Group (JPX) year-end event in Tokyo.
• Soccer Japan national team coach Hajime Moriyasu (57) also appeared as a guest.
• Takaichi, a devoted Hanshin Tigers fan, rang the bell to close 2025 trading.
• She expressed joy in joining Moriyasu and pledged to support the team at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
• Takaichi usually wears the Hanshin Tigers’ striped uniform but will switch to the “Samurai Blue” jersey next year.
• The JPX event annually invites notable figures from various fields.
• Past guests included the late Giants legend Shigeo Nagashima and Olympic wrestling gold medalist Saori Yoshida.
• Moriyasu is expected to lead Japan’s team in the June 2026 FIFA World Cup in North and Central America.
Summary
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, known for her passion for the Hanshin Tigers baseball team, attended the Japan Exchange Group’s year-end ceremony alongside Japan’s national soccer coach Hajime Moriyasu. At the event, she rang the bell to mark the close of 2025 trading and expressed her enthusiasm for the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup. While she typically supports sports wearing the Hanshin Tigers’ striped uniform, she promised to switch to the national team’s “Samurai Blue” jersey to cheer on Moriyasu’s squad. The JPX event is a prestigious annual gathering featuring prominent personalities from sports and culture, highlighting Japan’s anticipation for the national team’s performance in the next World Cup hosted in North and Central America.
