The Japanese women’s national soccer team, who defeated the United States in the Championship game of the women’s World Cup on July 17, will receive the People’s Honour Award for their thrilling overtime victory.
Japan’s chief cabinet secretary, Yukio Edano, explained the reasoning behind giving the team the award: “The award is given] for inspiring people in Japan with their dedication and attitude not to give up until the very end and for encouraging people to face great difficulties such as the (March 11) catastrophe,” he said.
The women’s team overcame deficits twice in the title game, dramatically coming back two separate times and forcing a thrilling penalty kick shootout in extra time. It was an unlikely victory for a team that looked outplayed for most of the game. Hopefully the team’s victory serves as an inspiration to citizens.
As Inside Japan Notes, giving this award to the soccer team is unprecedented: The People’s Honour Award has previously been won by ground-breaking director Akira Kurosawa and Naomi Uemura, who climbed the highest mountains of five continents. The Nadeshiko – named after a Japanese flower – are the first team to ever win the prize.
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