Visit to the Birkirkara F.C. by Mr. KOBAYASHI Ryuichiro, Chargé d’Affaires a.i. (25 August)
2026/8/26
On 25th August, Mr. KOBAYASHI Ryuichiro, Chargé d’Affaires a.i., visited Japanese footballers Ms. Haruhi Sekura and Ms. Momo Ueda, who are playing for Birkirkara F.C., to offer his encouragement and best wishes.
Both Ms. Sekura and Ms. Ueda are key players for Birkirkara and have now entered their second season in the Maltese women’s football league. Ms. Sekura plays a central role in defence, while Ms. Ueda has been named Player of the Month on several occasions. Both have become important members of the team.
Asked about their impressions of Malta, they said that they had been deeply impressed by “its beautiful natural environment, its high level of safety, and, above all, the kindness and friendliness of the Maltese people.”
Speaking about the differences between football in Malta and Japan, they explained that “in Malta, there is a strong sense that the players themselves are the main actors on the pitch, and their independence and initiative are respected as much as possible. That is one of the major differences from Japan.”
They decided to come to Malta because they wanted to leave Japan and continue playing football in a completely different environment. They spoke enthusiastically about the joy of being able to pursue the sport they love overseas.
Having made the bold decision to join a Maltese team directly from Japan, they initially spoke almost no English and had to communicate largely through gestures. Even so, they said they had felt no hesitation at all about immersing themselves in a foreign environment. Their courage and determination to take action were truly inspiring.
One point that was particularly memorable was their experience of being appreciated by their teammates for qualities often associated with Japanese people, such as sincerity, courtesy and consideration for others. Through this experience, they said they had become more conscious of these Japanese virtues and had come to take pride in them. They also felt that such qualities had, in their own way, had a positive influence on the team.
Finally, when asked to offer a message to female footballers playing in Japan, they gave these encouraging words:
“Have the courage to step outside Japan and keep taking on new challenges abroad!”
It was truly inspiring to see these two Japanese women boldly embracing a new environment far from home and thriving on the international stage. Their courage and achievements as two modern-day Yamato Nadeshiko* left a deep impression on us.
*Yamato Nadeshiko is a traditional Japanese expression referring to an ideal of Japanese womanhood, associated with grace, dignity, inner strength and resilience. The Japanese women’s national football team is also widely known as “Nadeshiko Japan,” a name that reflects these qualities.
Both Ms. Sekura and Ms. Ueda are key players for Birkirkara and have now entered their second season in the Maltese women’s football league. Ms. Sekura plays a central role in defence, while Ms. Ueda has been named Player of the Month on several occasions. Both have become important members of the team.
Asked about their impressions of Malta, they said that they had been deeply impressed by “its beautiful natural environment, its high level of safety, and, above all, the kindness and friendliness of the Maltese people.”
Speaking about the differences between football in Malta and Japan, they explained that “in Malta, there is a strong sense that the players themselves are the main actors on the pitch, and their independence and initiative are respected as much as possible. That is one of the major differences from Japan.”
They decided to come to Malta because they wanted to leave Japan and continue playing football in a completely different environment. They spoke enthusiastically about the joy of being able to pursue the sport they love overseas.
Having made the bold decision to join a Maltese team directly from Japan, they initially spoke almost no English and had to communicate largely through gestures. Even so, they said they had felt no hesitation at all about immersing themselves in a foreign environment. Their courage and determination to take action were truly inspiring.
One point that was particularly memorable was their experience of being appreciated by their teammates for qualities often associated with Japanese people, such as sincerity, courtesy and consideration for others. Through this experience, they said they had become more conscious of these Japanese virtues and had come to take pride in them. They also felt that such qualities had, in their own way, had a positive influence on the team.
Finally, when asked to offer a message to female footballers playing in Japan, they gave these encouraging words:
“Have the courage to step outside Japan and keep taking on new challenges abroad!”
It was truly inspiring to see these two Japanese women boldly embracing a new environment far from home and thriving on the international stage. Their courage and achievements as two modern-day Yamato Nadeshiko* left a deep impression on us.
*Yamato Nadeshiko is a traditional Japanese expression referring to an ideal of Japanese womanhood, associated with grace, dignity, inner strength and resilience. The Japanese women’s national football team is also widely known as “Nadeshiko Japan,” a name that reflects these qualities.