TOKYO, June 16 — Almost half of Japan’s capital region tuned in to watch their World Cup opener against Ivory Coast, according to official viewers figures.
Approximately 8.4 million households in the Kanto region, which includes Tokyo, were glued to the set for Japan’s 2-1 defeat in Brazil, Video Research Ltd said.
Figures for the whole country have not yet been produced but 42.6 per cent of homes in the area watched the first half, which ended with Japan leading 1-0 after an early Keisuke Honda goal.
That figure rose to 46.6 per cent in the second half, where two quick strikes from the Ivorians burst Japan’s bubble.
Shown by Japan’s national broadcaster NHK from 10 am on Sunday, viewer ratings reached a peak of 50.8 per cent.
Japan’s opening game at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, a 1-0 victory over Cameroon, which kicked off at 11 pm local time, drew around 45 per cent.
The record high is a 66.1 per cent viewer rating in Kanto during the 2002 World Cup, which Japan co-hosted with South Korea, when they beat Russia 1-0. — AFP
