New Series by Soccer Japan National Team's "JI BLUE" Official Ambassador to Begin in 'Sports Graphic Number' Magazine, On Sale April 9th!

Bunshun Publishing (Headquarters: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; President: Naruyuki Iikubo) will launch a new series, "JI BLUE Wants to See the Best View!", from the April 9th issue of the sports magazine 'Sports Graphic Number,' featuring "JI BLUE," the official ambassador for the Soccer Japan National Team "Saiko no Keshiki wo 2026."

From 'Sports Graphic Number 1141' (Photography: Asami Enomoto)

"JI BLUE" is a unit formed by a total of 12 members, selected from two immensely popular global boy groups, "JO1" and "INI," with six members from each.

To energize the Japan National Team participating in the North-Central America World Cup kicking off in June, these 12 members will take on various projects in this series. The first installment features Hirotaka Dai Mu (INI), Kawanishi Takumi (JO1), Kinjo Sukai (JO1), and Ikezaki Rihito (INI) across four pages. They studied the history of the Japan National Team's World Cup appearances, from their debut in the 1998 France World Cup to the present, in a quiz format.

In subsequent issues, members will be featured with a changing lineup each time.

As this is also the first series for them in a comprehensive sports magazine, JI BLUE members Yonashiro Sho (JO1) and Ikezaki Rihito have provided their enthusiastic comments.

### Yonashiro's Comment I heard that it's the first time for a boy group like us, JI BLUE, to have a series in Number. I'm really happy to be able to have a series as JI BLUE! Thank you very much!!

Through Number, which conveys the appeal of sports, we also want to deepen our knowledge about soccer.

And, we want to enjoy it together with all our readers so we can see the best view!

### Ikezaki's Comment It's a great honor to start a series in the historic sports magazine Number!

I immediately participated in the first installment and learned a lot about the history of the Japan National Team's World Cup!

I've loved sports since I was little, watching soccer games with my family on TV, and even playing it in elementary school, but I learned a lot of history I didn't know.

As an ambassador supporting the Japan National Team, I feel I must increase my soccer knowledge even more to unite with all citizens!

I want to learn together with everyone, so please continue to follow us!