The general secretary of the Japan World Cup organizing committee (JAWOC) on Thursday hailed the just-concluded soccer World Cup as a success, pointing to the absence of any major problems during the monthlong event.
Yasuhiko Endo said during a press conference at JAWOC headquarters in Tokyo, "I've received the utmost praise from (soccer's world governing body) FIFA and from the participating countries."
"We were able to achieve our goal of carrying out a safe and secure event and I am deeply moved," Endo said, referring to fears that hooliganism or international terrorism would mar soccer's premier event.