Japan's memorable performance at the World Cup in Qatar will generate up to ¥16.3 billion ($120 million) in economic effects, according to a recent think tank estimate, with the country's wins against giants Germany and Spain igniting renewed interest in the sport.
But the estimate by the Dai-ichi Life Research Institute, taking into account the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, falls short of the ¥21.5 billion in economic effects forecasted for the previous World Cup, in Russia in 2018.
Samurai Blue's hopes of reaching the quarterfinals of the tournament for the first time were crushed after the team lost to Croatia, the runners-up in 2018, in the round of 16 on Monday.
"Soccer's popularity had been waning before (the tournament), but the advancement of the team this time is likely to revive interest," said Toshihiro Nagahama, chief economist at the think tank.
Nagahama forecasts that soccer-related sales, including sales of team apparel and subscription fees paid to media outlets broadcasting soccer games, will generate ¥11.1 billion in economic effects, compared with ¥14.3 billion for the previous World Cup.
Food and beverage-related sales, including sports bars and food delivery services, will total ¥5.2 billion compared with ¥7.2 billion for the previous tournament, according to the estimate.
While the pandemic is expected to result in fewer people traveling to watch matches, users of fee-based media and food delivery services will increase, Nagahama said.