SOCCER: In Brazil, a World Cup clash pits homeland against home for vast Japanese community

SAO PAULO — For many Japanese-Brazilians in Sao Paulo, Brazil's FIFA World Cup victory over Japan on Monday was more than just a football match, it was an emotional test of identity, family heritage, and national pride.

Alan Saito, a 47-year-old advertising digital influencer, arrived at a family-owned restaurant wearing both Brazil and Japan jerseys, with the Japanese shirt layered over Brazil's iconic yellow kit. His face was painted in Brazil's green and yellow, reflecting his mixed loyalties.

"Our hearts are divided," Saito said before kickoff. "If Japan wins, that's fine. If Brazil wins, that's fine too."

He predicted a 2-1 victory for Brazil, a forecast that ultimately proved correct.

Brazil is home to around 2 million people of Japanese descent, with more than half living in Sao Paulo. Many families settled in the state during the early 1900s to help address labor shortages on coffee plantations, creating what is now the largest Japanese community outside Japan.

One gathering took place in the Vila Ema neighborhood, where members of the local Okinawan community watched the match at a restaurant decorated with Brazilian and Japanese flags.

Around 30 supporters from three generations attended the watch party. Most wore Brazil's famous yellow jerseys as they cheered for the nation's quest for a sixth World Cup title while enjoying pastel, a deep-fried pastry popular in Japanese-Brazilian cuisine.

For many fans, however, the match stirred mixed emotions.

Andresa Yumi Tacacura, 33, and her partner, Rafael Miyasato, 35, both third-generation Japanese-Brazilians, said their support leaned toward Brazil but remained divided. The couple had lived in Japan for six years before returning to Brazil.

"We're 70% behind Brazil and 30% behind Japan," Miyasato said while holding their three-month-old son.

As chants of "Go Brazil" and "Go Nipo" echoed through the restaurant, Japan stunned the crowd by scoring the opening goal. The venue briefly fell silent, although a handful of fans wearing Japan's blue jerseys celebrated.

Among them was Satika Yonamine, a 73-year-old Okinawan who has lived in Brazil for five decades.

"I'm cheering for Japan only because my daughter is supporting Brazil," she joked.

In Sao Paulo's Liberdade district, the city's historic center of Japanese culture, streets lined with Japanese lanterns also displayed dozens of Brazilian flags as bars filled with supporters wearing jerseys from both countries.

Retiree Yushi Tokimatsu, 65, wore a Brazil-themed floral shirt over a Japan jersey as he watched the match. After Brazil equalized in the second half, he admitted part of him hoped Japan would advance because he believed Brazil was unlikely to make a deep run in the tournament.

"I'd rather they go out now and try again next time," he said.

But Brazil struck again deep into stoppage time to seal the win.

Tokimatsu joined the celebrations, smiling as he posed for photos with fellow fans waving Brazilian flags.

"I'm not upset," he said. "That's part of the game." -Reporting and writing by Victoria Pacheco; Editing by Manuela Andreoni/Reuters