INSIDE JAPAN from our view

Gamba Osaka wins 1st J-League title  Japan Times— Gamba Osaka captured the J-League title for the first time in its history after a 4-2 victory at Kasawaki Frontale in the final weekend of the season Saturday. Gamba, who trailed crosstown rivals Cerezo Osaka by one point before Saturday's matches, squandered the lead twice before Yasuhito Endo and Araujo struck late goals to seal the win while Cerezo drew 2-2 at home to FC Tokyo.

Do you know there is a professional soccer league in Japan? Its competent cannot match with that of the soccer-developed countries such as England, Italy, Spain and Brazil. But J-League, which has only 13-year-history, has now certain popularity among Japanese people.

 Early 90s was the age when Japan began to struggle its dark and long economic slump. J-League was born in 1993 when people realized they had to save money because of Japan’s poor performance. So it seemed natural that J-League should not succeed in this tough period. In fact, this professional league acquired a lot of funs. The reason was that the soccer players were more fashionable than professional baseball players. Many boys enthusiastically watched not only soccer games but also players’ fashion.

 But this trend could not last long. After a few years, this soccer bubble was broken. J-League could not attract many funs. What was worse, many talented players such as Nakata or Nakamura fled from Japan to Europe to seek much higher level.

 Gradually J-League has changed its style from just a fashionable league to a soccer league. At the same time, people began to back to stadiums. Now J-League has as certain popularity as that of Japanese professional baseball league which has lasted more than 60 years. This strong relationship between players and funs is a must for Japan to become a developed country as to soccer.