Congratulations to the Japanese Women’s Soccer Team for winning the World Cup! I think the most appropriate thing to say in this situation is 優勝おめでとう (yūshō omedetō), which means “Congratulations on the victory!”. The Japanese victory comes as a pleasant surprise. Previous to this game the Japanese Women’s Team played 25 games against the U.S. Not until now have the Japanese Women’s Team ever been able to defeat the U.S.

What’s more is that this is the first time that an Asian soccer team has ever won the World Cup. The Japanese victory has brought much needed joy to a devastated nation. A few months prior to this game, Japan was grappling with a nuclear crisis and the death and destruction caused by an earthquake and tsunami. The victory couldn’t have come at a better time. Here’s a clip of the highlights of the game that took place on July 17^th:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eyZx7hm4lhg

The host country for the 2011 FIFA Women’s World Cup was in Germany. Tournaments were held from June 26^th to July 17^th. Since the world cup was held in Germany, naturally people assumed the German team would go far into the finals. No one imagined that the Japanese team would be one of the last teams to play the final game of the World Cup. In addition the Japanese Women’s Soccer Team was able to accomplish what the Japanese Men’s Soccer Team was unable to do: win a World Cup.

Most of the focus and energy on sports in Japan is devoted towards men’s soccer, men’s baseball, etc. The victory by the Japanese Women’s Team may soon encourage more money and promotion to go towards women’s sports. Lastly, the Japanese victory has given Japan a reason to be happy. It’s almost as if the Victory has given the nation permission to laugh and relax in a time when there is tension and uncertainty over the future of the country.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PtJMi_EeawA