Watched any World Cup matches in the past few weeks? Yelled your heart out? Ready to slit your wrists -- or, more to the point, to strangle a shinpan (referee) or two? Predictably, a few of my friends have sworn never to touch coffee made from Costa Rican beans ever again (what was that referee thinking anyway?).
On the streets and in offices, there's only one acceptable topic of conversation. As a matter of fact, why do you even have the paper turned to this page? As one tabloid headline put it, the entire nation is rocking to sakka netsu (soccer fever) and those with normal body temperature should see a doctor.
Speaking of the tabloids, have you noticed their complete change of heart regarding coach Monsieur Troussier? Only last month many did not hesitate to label him a gankona kacho (stubborn section chief) constantly locking horns with the wayward and dyed-haired wakate shain (young employees) in the kabushikigaisha (corporation) known as Nihon Daihyo (Japan Representatives).