Notable Moments

July 21, 2021

In July 1996, the "Kyoto Purple Sanga Supporters' Association" was established with the aim of unifying the professional soccer team Kyoto Purple Sanga (now Kyoto Sanga F.C.) and local residents to contribute to the development of Kyoto and the creation of sports. As one of the founders of the association, Inamori held the desire to excite the citizens through the team's activities.

Originally, Inamori became a sponsor of Sanga when, shortly after the inception of the J-League, the call for a professional soccer team in Kyoto grew among the citizens, and a citizens' group collected 250,000 signatures to request his support. Inamori describes his feelings at the time as follows:

"I didn't know the first thing about soccer. Initially, I declined, but requests for support came from the J-League, Kyoto's soccer association and sports association, as well as others, making it increasingly difficult to refuse. What pushed me was the passion with which the citizens fervently sought out a soccer team that would aim for the J1 League. Unlike Osaka and Kobe, Kyoto does not have a professional baseball team, so it's likely that the citizens, especially the youth of the city, were longing for a sport that could ignite their passion. That's how I became a sponsor, but as I started attending every home game, even someone like myself who had no sense for soccer got completely hooked on the game. The matches, similar to combat sports in their competitiveness, are a continuous thrill. When they win, I'm overjoyed, and when they lose, it's unbearably frustrating." (From Live Earnestly, published by NHK Publishing)

Currently, Kyoto Sanga F.C. is in 2nd place in the J2 league with 47 points, generating excitement among the locals. We ask for your fervent support for Sanga as they aim for their long-awaited promotion to the J1 League.

Photo: July 1996, Kyoto Purple Sanga Supporters' Association Inauguration Party (center: Inamori)