Ceremonial Kick-Off to the Japan-Costa Rica Football Match Wednesday, April 17, 2002 Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi made the ceremonial kick-off for the Japan-Costa Rica football match played at the International Stadium Yokohama. Prime Minister Koizumi wore red football shoes and kicked the ball to pass it to the referee and was greeted with a roar of approval from the full-house stadium crowd. After the ceremonial kick-off the Prime Minister watched the match from the main stand and cheered on the Japan national team. With the opening of the 2002 FIFA World Cup Korea/Japan coming up in just over one month, after the match Prime Minister Koizumi stated, "The gave was even more exciting than I had expected. I hope that the World Cup event will lead to wider exchanges between Japanese and foreigners so that those who come to Japan return to their home countries being glad that they came."