I’ve been a New England Patriots fan since 2001, when I watched Super Bowl XXXVI. I’ve been fascinated by this sport ever since. But in Japan, fans of American football are a small minority. While baseball dominates Japan’s sports culture, football has never truly captured the Japanese imagination.
In this article, I want to explore why American football, which is so popular in the U.S., remains relatively unknown in Japan—from cultural differences to media exposure—and what it’s like to be a Japanese NFL fan.
Few Chances to Experience the Sport
In Japan, most people have very few opportunities to come into contact with American football. Unlike baseball, which is widely played in schools and local clubs, football is still a niche sport.
Honestly, even now, I’ve mostly experienced this sport on TV—I’ve never seen a real game in person. Many Japanese people have never seen a football game in their lifetime, and only a handful have the chance to play it. This lack of exposure makes it hard for the sport to grow.
In 2002, the manga Eyeshield 21 was published in Shonen Jump, Japan’s most popular comic magazine. Many readers got excited about football at that time, but its popularity stayed within the manga world and didn’t have much impact on the real sport. Unless people actually see or play the game, it’s difficult for them to fall in love with it.
Other Sports Dominate Japan’s Attention
Baseball became Japan’s national sport soon after World War II. Professional leagues and the famous high school tournament Koshien made it part of everyday life. Almost everyone grows up knowing baseball.
In Japan, baseball plays the same role that American football does in the U.S.—Koshien is like college football, and the NPB is like the NFL. They both bring national excitement and pride.
Then, in the 1990s, the launch of the J.League made soccer another major sport in Japan. Schools and local clubs started supporting it, and the national team’s success in the World Cup boosted its popularity even more.
Basketball has been following a similar path. Since the B.League was launched a few years ago, interest in basketball has been rising both in domestic leagues and international tournaments such as the FIBA World Cup.
Can American Football Grow in Japan?
In Japan, American football is mostly seen at universities or in small regional leagues. However, the fanbase is slowly growing thanks to social media and streaming platforms. The NFL’s efforts to share highlights and Japanese-language content have also helped introduce the sport to new audiences.
Still, compared to baseball or soccer, football remains far behind. To gain real traction, it needs more local exposure—youth programs, free broadcasts, and Japanese players—such as Kansei Mastuzawa, who plays for the Hawaii Rainbow Warriors and is expected to join the NFL—could help attract attention.
Conclusion
While baseball, soccer, and basketball are already deeply rooted in Japanese sports culture, American football still remains a minor sport, except in some areas of western Japan.
Yet I believe this sport has a unique charm—its strategy, teamwork, and tension are unlike any other. I hope more people in Japan will get the chance to experience it—though that opportunity is still limited because most games are on paid streaming services—and understand why so many Americans love it.
As a Japanese NFL fan, I’ll keep sharing its appeal with others, hoping that one day, American football will have a bigger stage in Japan.
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