![Japanese supporters hold up a "kamikaze" T-shirt while cheering during the Qatar World Cup. [Provided by Professor Seo Kyoung-duk]](https://wimg.heraldcorp.com/news/cms/2026/06/11/news-p.v1.20260611.e80b6730942d48eeafa07e527c631b32_P1.jpg)
With the 2026 World Cup approaching, Seo Kyoung-duk, a professor at Sungshin Women's University, called for action to stop Japanese supporters from displaying "kamikaze" cheering at the tournament.
"The World Cup is the greatest event on earth, bringing football fans from around the world together, but there is one thing we must be vigilant about," Seo said Thursday. "We must stop the 'kamikaze' cheering."
Kamikaze — literally "divine wind" — refers to the Japanese suicide attack units of World War II, whose pilots loaded their aircraft with explosives and deliberately crashed them into Allied warships.
At the Qatar World Cup, stadium security personnel immediately intervened when Japanese supporters displayed the Rising Sun flag. Seo described the move as highly significant, calling it the first time FIFA had officially acted to stop its use.
At the South Africa World Cup, Japanese supporters also drew controversy by wearing kamikaze headbands while cheering.
"If kamikaze cheering appears again at this World Cup, following South Africa and Qatar, FIFA must put a stop to it without fail," Seo said.
He added that if such cheering resurfaces, he plans to alert FIFA and report the incident to the international press corps gathered to cover the tournament. "Through global public debate, we will take steps to ensure that kamikaze cheering never again appears on the World Cup stage," he said.
Seo also urged the public to report any instances of kamikaze cheering spotted at venues or on television broadcasts immediately.
choigo@heraldcorp.com
