After the J1 soccer match against Kyoto on the 3rd, a couple raised their fists at Ajinomoto Stadium. They shouted “Shah, Shah, Shah” at the FC Tokyo supporters behind the goal. Usually, this is a ceremony performed by the key players in the team’s victory, but on this day, it was team sponsor Oya Transport’s president Kazuhiko Oya (59) and his wife Hiroko (54). This day was Oya Transport Day. The couple, well known to supporters, livened up the blue and red goal area and added a touch of glamour to the victory.

Oya Transportation became a sponsor in April 2015. The reason was that the company’s headquarters is close to the Fukagawa Ground (Koto-ku, Tokyo) and the bank it does business with also sponsors FC Tokyo. President Oya also originally supported his sons, who continued to play soccer. However, when his third son retired from club activities, his support shifted to FC Tokyo, which he loved.

Last year, he watched all 34 league games at the stadium. At home games, he sits in the sponsor’s seats and interacts with other sponsor companies, showing his face as a president. However, at away games, he cheers from behind the goal, just like a real supporter. At the title game “Oya Transport Day”, which has been held once a year since 2019, the company’s large blue and red crane is on display (it is coincidence that it is the same color as the team’s colors, and it has been there since before the sponsorship contract). The Oya couple support the team both in public and private, and rush to away games, so they are somewhat famous among supporters.

The reason for the sponsorship is that the company operates mainly in Tokyo and shares the same philosophy of being “close to the community” as FC Tokyo, and by putting up a sign at the stadium, the company aims to increase its credibility and recognition. On the other hand, about 25 years ago…