One of the stories of the tournament has been the hospitality of the Japanese fans, known for politeness and cleanliness, who have been fantastic hosts for the fans.
After Japan qualified for the quarter-finals of the World Cup after defeating Scotland 28-21, this humility was on show as Japanese fans bombarded Scotland Rugby with messages of gratitude.
Continue reading below…
This fan wrote ‘Thank you for the hot game that feels scary until the end! Thank you for the best match! I love it! Sincere thanks to everyone in Scotland!’
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?????????????— ??( ? ???)? (@komorebi__0123) October 13, 2019
Other fans were glad to see the Scottish pride and passion for the game and hoped they would visit Japan again after apologising for some of the more insulting comments sent Scotland’s way.
@Scotlandteam
I feel sad that some Japanese have written a heartless comment.
Thank you for coming to Japan.
I am glad that your pride and passion for the game were conveyed and eager to hold the event.
It was nice to see the match. Please come to Japan again.— ?? (@toko_asagiri) October 14, 2019
@Scotlandteam
Thank you for playing in Japan.
I want to see wonderful game again.
Enjoy your stay in Japan(*´?`*)?Thanks! pic.twitter.com/JtCDAruE7h— ????@????????????????? (@yamada_ruma) October 14, 2019
Thankyou sooo much for Scotland rugby team and great fans for your deep respect and kindness and support to Japan. i'll never forget your kindness towards us.
Big RESPECT??????— ?????? (@babiken7) October 14, 2019
This fan thanked Scotland for giving 100% and for ‘hammering us in the past’ which got Japan where they are today, rating Scotland the toughest assignment in Pool A.
You Scottish guys were the toughest at the group stage. Thank you for having given your 100% and hammered us in the past. Without the past experience, we wouldn't be where we are today. Beating Scotland was definitely one of our biggest goals!
— ??????????? (@mrcrowleyozzy1) October 14, 2019
Yesterday's Rugby World Cup Japan was impressed with Scotland. It was the best defense of the team until the end of Japan and the last attack of Scotland. I am also grateful and respectful to the Scotland team. Thank you very much.#Scotland #RWC2019 #JPNvSCO https://t.co/RHMPTy2uTs
— ?? ?? (@Hidenobu3_photo) October 14, 2019
Most fans were incredibly grateful however a few Japanese were still upset over Scotland’s threats to sue if the match was canceled due to Typhoon Hagibis.
A few Japanese fans tried to troll Scotland asking whether they would sue after losing the match while another was still ‘shocked from your words’ after being a big fan of Scotland.
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Has Scotland rugby association still consider taking legal action to request the rematch due to losing to Japan not calling off by a typhoon? From now on, Plz OBEY the predetermined regulations 8)
— ?? (@ue_410) October 14, 2019
@Scotlandteam
Last night was a historic night for Japan. I would like to express my gratitude and respect to the Rugby Scotland national team, who has struck Japan with all of Scotland's arrogance as a home country of rugby. Thank you very much.— Qazz????@8th????????? (@Qazz619) October 14, 2019
I was a big fan for Scotland for a long time. You have nice people and your whiskeys are splendid. That’s why I was so shocked from your words before the game and still am. I’ve never thought you were such a country.
— mimi -love “un ange de lumière”- (@unangedelumiere) October 14, 2019
I wonder whether Scotland rugby Boss wanted to have a match on the court for trial or the court for rugby.#RWC2019
— ????? (@sinicalcat1) October 14, 2019
lowest team of the
tournament now
— ???? (@unagiinu212) October 14, 2019
The worst of Japan’s fans and darkest messages were sent in response to Scotland flanker Jamie Ritchie’s off-the-ball incident on flyhalf Yu Tamura.
Ritchie was seen shoving Tamura on the ground and giving him a facial with a forearm. This led to fury online with one fan claiming he despises Scotland saying ‘just do it if you wanna do legal action’.
I despise Scotland???????
Who is he ? He was not nice?
Just do it if you wanna do legal action????#rugbyworldcup2019 #Scotland pic.twitter.com/K7UhH4tcsM— Time (@DoForJPN) October 13, 2019
One Japanese fan took it upon themselves to message Jamie Ritchie directly, telling him he is ‘ashamed’ for playing dirty games while accusing him of taking banned drugs.
He finished his tirade with a terrible comment about Ritchie’s mother before telling him to be ashamed again.
@Jamie_T_Ritchie
You are ashamed of Scotland for playing dirty games that don't go along with rugby's nonside spirit.
As long as you look at the faces in the game, you are suspected of taking banned drugs.
I can imagine that it affects your mother being a prostitute.
Be ashamed.— ? (@kkkkps111) October 14, 2019
This fan wrote he doesn’t feel like thanking Scotland because they were too many rough plays.
“This time it was a shame because there were too many rough plays on the Scotland side. Not very much, but I don’t feel like thank you. Shame on you.”
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???????????????????????????Shame on you
— TTM™?????????????????? (@ttmphotograph) October 14, 2019
Japanese fans unhappy with the physicality by Scotland’s forwards will likely have plenty to write about when they face the Springboks in their quarter-final next week.
RugbyPass city guide to Kumamoto:
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