As cryptocurrencies remain continuously popular in Japan among the younger generation, companies believe they can improve their image by collaborating with strong and sustainable public characters to familiarize the image of cryptocurrency.
Earlier in August, it was the Japanese professional soccer player Shinji Kagawa, who made a deal with GMO Internet Group. Kagawa has signed a contract with GMO to support its corporate brand and products as the group decided to challenge business overseas. GMO is developing mainly internet infrastructures in South East Asia through the global brand Z.com by concluding individual sponsorship agreements with the most popular professional soccer players in each country. Kagawa has reportedly been active as a brand ambassador for Z.com since 2016.
The amount in cryptocurrency for which they contracted with the Japanese super star was not mentioned, however the press release confirms that the payment was made in cryptocurrency. “Regarding the theme of the promotional movie, I thought there was a part that matches my own personal goal in life, that is to aim every day at becoming the world’s best [player],” Honda said in a statement. “The Hollywood shooting crew was also very nice, I really enjoyed it.”
In June of this year, Bitpoint received a business improvement order by the FSA and had been refrained from operating marketing campaigns that leads to “aggressive business expansion,” Bitpoint said in a statement. “We are working on the execution of the business improvement plan we submitted on July 23rd as our top management priority. With this promotional movie featuring Keisuke Honda, we wanted to show the public that we are currently strengthening our management system.”
Born in 1986 in Osaka, Honda attracted the world’s attention for shooting 2 decisive goals during the 2010 World Cup, in South Africa. Honda has been active recently at the 2018 Football World Cup in Russia with the Japanese national team, and professionally active at Melbourne Victory. In June 2016, Honda was also named Global Advocate for Youth, by the United Nations Foundation and reportedly opened more than 60 soccer schools in Japan and worldwide.