In a unique crossover between the world of professional football and household cleaning products, Japanese international defender Yuto Nagatomo has been announced as the newest member of Kao Corporation's 'Attack ZERO' laundry detergent advertising campaign. The commercial, titled 'Laundry-Loving Journey: Nagatomo Edition,' is scheduled to begin airing nationwide across Japan starting Monday, May 11, 2026.
The campaign centers around a fictional social club called the '#LaundryLoversSociety,' which has been a recurring theme in the brand's recent advertisements. Nagatomo joins the existing club members, popular Japanese actors Takeru Satoh and Haruto Sugano, for this new installment. The collaboration brings together the worlds of sports and entertainment in a lighthearted promotion for the detergent brand.
The filming for the commercial took place at a location of significant importance to Japanese football: the JFA Yume Field in Chiba Prefecture, which serves as a primary training base for the Japanese national team. The setting provided an authentic backdrop for the commercial's storyline, which involved Nagatomo leading his two actor co-stars through a series of football training exercises on the meticulously maintained natural grass pitch.
According to reports from the set, the training session was comprehensive. Satoh and Sugano, described as football novices, began with basic warm-up drills using poles, marker cones, and agility ladders under Nagatomo's guidance. The session progressed to more practical football skills, including passing drills, one-on-two offensive and defensive scenarios, and shooting exercises following passes. The entire sequence consisted of six distinct training modules that the actors reportedly reviewed thoroughly before filming.
Nagatomo's coaching style was highlighted as particularly energetic and encouraging. Throughout the session, he was noted for shouting constant motivational phrases like 'Sprint there!', 'Don't rush, don't rush!', and 'Okay, one more time!' to guide the struggling beginners. Beyond the physical and technical instruction, observers noted his ability to connect with his 'students' and draw out their effort and enthusiasm, a quality described as 'first-class coaching.'
The effort appeared to pay off, as both Satoh and Sugano reportedly found the experience enjoyable despite the physical challenges. They were quoted as saying, 'I didn't know football could be this much fun,' and 'If it had been like this, maybe I wouldn't have quit in kindergarten (laughs),' indicating a positive and engaging atmosphere on set.
A memorable moment from the shoot occurred during the filming of the commercial's signature scene, where the trio would hold up the 'Attack ZERO' product and shout 'Bravo!' in unison. After an initial test take, a director suggested they get a lesson on the proper nuance of the exclamation from Nagatomo himself. However, just as filming began, a helicopter flew overhead, creating significant noise. Rather than waiting for it to pass, Nagatomo proposed they overcome the noise with the volume of their own voices, declaring, 'Let's drown it out with our voices! I'll make sure we do!' The resulting take, featuring their powerful 'Bravo!' shout, was reportedly a perfect shot that earned applause from the entire crew.
Based on reporting from サッカーキング.