The J. League’s silent era is coming to an end.

In a major milestone on the long road toward the “old normal,” fans at two games last weekend were allowed to do something they have been unable to do for more than two years — sing, chant and even boo to their heart’s content.

Over 2,000 combined fans at Kashima Soccer Stadium in Ibaraki Prefecture and Ajinomoto Stadium in the western Tokyo city of Chofu took part in cheering trials that the league hopes will speed up the reintroduction of unrestricted active support across the country.