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00:00My name is Washi from Newcastle United Japan. I've been supporting Newcastle since 2012.
00:08I started to organise some Newcastle United related events in Tokyo since 2014.
00:16So I've been doing this for about 10 years actually.
00:20And then finally we have Newcastle United here. That's fantastic news.
00:25How does it feel to have Newcastle? Is this the first time you've watched Newcastle United in the flesh?
00:31Actually I've been to Newcastle for three times so it's not the first time for me.
00:35But having Newcastle United in Japan, in Tokyo actually, that's a special occasion.
00:43A very special occasion for us.
00:46The last time Newcastle visited Japan was 1996.
00:51So I was two years old and I knew nothing about football.
00:55So I'm so glad to sing the tune of being here.
01:01Does it surprise you how many people in Japan actually support Newcastle?
01:06Not a surprising thing actually.
01:09We had a massive support in Japan as well.
01:13Even before the takeover actually we were a big group at that time.
01:18But especially after the takeover it's getting massive and massive.
01:21And we signed the first Japanese player Yoshinori Muto in 2018.
01:27That helped for us to get bigger as well.
01:33So yeah, we are a big group and as you can see we've got so many Japanese fans and Jordies as well.
01:40So yeah, we are on the rise.
01:46You'll be looking forward to the game later as well.
01:49Can we expect any flags again tonight?
01:52Yeah, as you saw on Wednesday we made so many flags.
01:59Actually we have some additional flags to be unveiled today.
02:04So yeah, I'm looking forward to it.
02:08That is the best thing in the world.
02:11I really love the team and also because it's my life.
02:18Why is it your life? Why did you choose to support Newcastle all the way out here in Japan?
02:22It's like about 10 years ago I watched a game against Hull City.
02:29The game was so crazy and Alan Pardew had a headbutt.
02:36That is the game I watched first and the last time I already fell in love with this team.
02:43It's great to see Shola. He's about to speak again. Shola and Ameobi.
02:47Yeah, we really love Ameobi and we really love Shola.
02:53And also we made a flag about Shola.
02:57So I want to thank him and also want him to sign on the flag.
03:06How are you enjoying the tour so far?
03:09Sorry?
03:10How are you enjoying the tour so far? Watching the matches in Japan?
03:13Yeah, actually the Urawa game and Yokohama game I also love there.
03:18We also do the flag display. It's so special and today also will be special.
03:25What's your name please?
03:26Shota.
03:29Why Newcastle? Why are you a Newcastle fan here in Japan?
03:33Because of Alan Shearer. He was my team. That's why I love Newcastle.
03:39And we saw Shola and Ameobi, one of Alan Shearer's former teammates as well. Good to see him.
03:43Yeah, it was my dream come true.
03:48Alan Shearer, your favourite player of all time?
03:50Yes, and Shola. I love him.
03:53Who's your favourite current Newcastle player in the team at the moment?
03:56At the moment? Russell.
03:59Russell?
04:00Russell, yeah.
04:01He's the captain as well.
04:03Have you ever been to Newcastle before, been to St James' Park?
04:07Yes, in 2020 I've been there but unfortunately the game was cancelled.
04:16Tonight will be my first Newcastle United game so I'm so excited.
04:21How are you finding all the Newcastle fans over here from Newcastle and England and across the world?
04:27Yeah, like...
04:30You're struggling with the Geordie accent. There's a lot of Geordies here who speak quite interestingly.
04:36Yeah, it's so tough for me but everybody will have to understand that I have to improve so it's so tough.
04:44And what do you want to see from Newcastle tonight at the Japan National Stadium?
04:50What do you say?
04:51What do you want to see from the team tonight?
04:54Of course like Newcastle, we'll win.
04:58Can you first of all introduce yourselves?
05:00I'm David, this is Sharon, we're from Newcastle and we're here in Japan.
05:04Yeah, and what have you made of the trip so far?
05:06Oh, it's been very, very hot.
05:08But yeah, it's been good.
05:10And the idea, the fan event, lots of Japanese people there, fans from all four corners of the world, what do you think of that?
05:16I think it's great, people from all over the world supporting Newcastle.
05:20They're encouraged and they're really enthusiastic.
05:23They know all the songs and they've got some brilliant banners for the away end, which they did on Wednesday.
05:29Can I say, what did you make of the away end on Wednesday?
05:32It was a bit different to home away ends, if that makes sense.
05:36Everyone was very well behaved and respectful but still good to see everyone enjoy themselves.
05:44And looking forward to tonight as well.
05:46Yes, looking forward to tonight. Are you going to say anything?
05:50But overall, you've had a good time. Would you come back here after Newcastle and do it on a tour here again?
05:55Yeah, we'd consider it, yeah.
05:57I'm hoping for Dallas next year, if that helps.
06:00So we can go and see where JFK was shot as well as see Newcastle again.
06:04You know, kind of everything.