The Philippines’ love for Japanese volleyball stars runs deep—as deep as their wallets.
With just one day left at the Smart Araneta Coliseum for the 2025 FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championship, Japanese merchandise has emerged as the runaway best-seller, according to the tournament’s official store.
Ahead of Japan’s final match on Wednesday against Libya, Ryujin Nippon fan items—including jerseys, hydroflasks, bandanas, and scarves—were restocked in anticipation of fans lining up for the team’s closer.
Compared to other countries competing at the Big Dome—and even the homegrown Alas Pilipinas—fans were far more likely to purchase Japanese products.
Aside from the home team, Japan has become one of the tournament’s fan favorites in the Philippines. Team jerseys, in particular, flew off the shelves, according to local organizing committee staff manning the merchandise tables. Multiple restocks were required to keep up with demand.
Among non-team items, the plush of the World Championship mascot, “Hataw,” proved especially popular, with even some players joining the festivities by purchasing their own tournament merchandise. Other hot-selling items included the official tournament jacket, drawstring bags, lanyards, and sticker packs.
Fans can continue buying merchandise at the Smart Araneta Coliseum until Thursday, September 18, and later at the Mall of Asia Arena when the tournament concludes on September 28.
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