Nagasaki Stadium City Creative Producer Masaharu Fukuyama makes a surprise appearance! Celebrating 80 years since the atomic bombing, V-Varen Nagasaki will send prayers for peace from Nagasaki to the world with "Kusunoki - Blown by the 500-Year Wind" at the Peace Memorial Match on August 9th.

The Peace Memorial Match between V-Varen Nagasaki and Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo was held at Nagasaki Stadium City's "PEACE STADIUM Connected by SoftBank" on August 9, 2025. This year marks the 80th anniversary of the atomic bombing, and Masaharu Fukuyama made a surprise appearance as a guest.

Masaharu Fukuyama appears at the Peace Memorial Match on August 9th, 80 years since the atomic bombing
Supporters sang "Camphor Tree - Blown by the 500-Year Wind" and delivered a prayer for peace from Nagasaki.

On August 9, 2025, V-Varen Nagasaki's home stadium, "PEACE STADIUM Connected by SoftBank," became more than just a soccer match venue; it became a place of prayer that sends out a strong message of peace.
V-Varen Nagasaki, a club based in Nagasaki, the city that was hit by the atomic bomb, continues to promote the importance of peace. Every year at this time, they hold a "Peace Memorial Match," and it has become a regular sight to see supporters singing along to Masaharu Fukuyama's song "Kusunoki."
This year marks a major milestone, marking the 80th anniversary of the atomic bombing. In this special year, Masaharu Fukuyama, creative producer of Nagasaki Stadium City, made a surprise appearance to deliver a powerful message of peace. This project was realized with the hope that by joining the long-standing desire for peace shared by the club and its supporters, Fukuyama could spread that message from Nagasaki to the world.
Fukuyama's appearance was a symbolic event that Nagasaki Stadium City will become a hub where people gather, smiles are born, and peace will be passed on to the future.

Supporters singing "Kusunoki - Blown by the 500-Year Wind"
Before the match, more than 17,000 supporters sang a chorus of "Kusunoki - Blown by the Wind of 500 Years," a new song arranged this year by Masaharu Fukuyama.

 

Masaharu Fukuyama made a surprise appearance! The cheers of the supporters echoed throughout the soccer stadium, andhe delivered a message of peace.
While the excitement was still fresh, Fukuyama himself made a surprise appearance on the pitch. The stadium was filled with surprise and loud cheers as he appeared, as he is also the creative producer of Nagasaki Stadium City.

"I believe that sport is a festival of peace, a symbol of peace. Today, when we can compete to our heart's content in sport and when football matches can be held, I believe we can call this very moment a day of peace. Our fathers, mothers, grandparents, and many other lives are connected and have created this peace. And I truly feel that this day, when we can play football, is connected to what can be described as peacetime rather than a time of emergency. It is all thanks to the supporters, players, and organizing staff. Let's enjoy today to the fullest."

Peace Declaration by V-Varen Nagasaki Captain Hotaru Yamaguchi
Then, players from V-Varen Nagasaki and Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo appeared on the pitch. After a moment of silence, V-Varen Nagasaki captain Hotaru Yamaguchi made a declaration of peace.
"We at V-Varen Nagasaki have a mission to spread the importance of peace throughout the world through football. We hope that our prayers for peace will reach the world from the pitch of this Peace Stadium, and we pledge to continue fighting fair and square."