In the lead-up to Japan’s FIFA World Cup 2026 encounter with Sweden, former Japanese international Keisuke Honda urged business leaders across the country to grant their employees flexible work arrangements so they could catch the match, set to kick off at 8 AM local time.
Unexpectedly, one of the entities that answered the call was Inazuma Eleven creator Level-5. The company’s president and CEO Akihiro Hino retweeted Honda’s message, stating: “As a leader who backs soccer, I’ve made the decision that at Level-5, employees can watch the game first and then report to work at their own pace without it being marked as tardiness. Let’s all support together!”
While it’s not uncommon for gaming firms to grant their staff time off for new game releases such as Monster Hunter Wilds and Elden Ring, this soccer match flexibility is a fresh development. That said, it aligns well with Level-5’s extensive background in the Inazuma Eleven franchise.
In the meantime, Hino’s reaction to Honda has garnered significant approval from Japanese fans on X, who were delighted to witness the company’s soccer support, and above all, its considerate approach toward its workforce.