Former Soccer Coach and J.Leaguer's Podcast "Sports on Gloomy Nights" to be Published for the First Time! Heading to Cover the "Most Gloomy" 2026 World Cup on Site

Value Books Co., Ltd. (Ueda City, Nagano Prefecture, Representative Director: Nozomi Torii), which handles the buying and selling of books primarily online, will publish the podcast program's first book, "Sports on Gloomy Nights (tentative title)," under its direct-deal label "DR BY VALUE BOOKS PUBLISHING" in late September 2026, as a joint project with the podcast program "Sports on Gloomy Nights," which the company sponsors. This book compiles coverage of the 2026 FIFA World Cup and the past and future of the program by former soccer coach Kazuma Kawachi and former J.Leaguer Rikuya Izutsu. A "support purchase" system is in place, allowing readers to support the production and reporting costs of the book through advance reservations. Reservations are currently being accepted on the company's e-commerce site.

The duo from "Sports on Gloomy Nights" (Left: Rikuya Izutsu, Right: Kazuma Kawachi)

What is "Sports on Gloomy Nights"?

The podcast "Sports on Gloomy Nights" (commonly known as "Spo-utsu") features two individuals with long careers in the sports world, who delve into the "unpleasant" aspects of sports and the lingering uncertainties that lack easy answers, by introducing books, and sometimes inviting guests, all driven by intellectual curiosity.

For example, even a single "inconsistency" surrounding sports, such as wins and losses, competition, retirement, or evaluation, is actually connected to the "vagueness" that everyone experiences in their daily lives, including work and relationships. While using sports as an entry point, the conversation expands to encompass society and everyday life. It's a program that even those unfamiliar with sports find themselves drawn into.

Why is the 2026 World Cup the "Most Gloomy" in History?

For this tournament held in the United States, discussions about commercialization are more prevalent than ever, with concerns such as the expansion to 48 participating countries, the introduction of "dynamic pricing" that changes based on demand, an official resale market, and a halftime show during the final. To witness the true nature of this gloom, the two will travel to the host city, Los Angeles, USA.

The book will include newly written columns about the 2026 World Cup, a travelogue of their experiences and observations on site, and a record of the past and future of the program "Sports on Gloomy Nights." It is a collection of everything from the two who have enjoyed the gloom of sports.

Contents (Table of Contents, Tentative)

Part 1: Selected Episodes & Dialogue Content from Past Podcast Broadcasts

Part 2: The "Most Gloomy" World Cup - Newly Written Columns

- The Current State of Host Country USA

- The Problem of Stadiums Being Too Far

- Weak Yen & High Prices, Ticket Prices Soaring

- Has Japanese Soccer Moved Forward?

- What About 48 Participating Countries?

- Introduction of the First Halftime Show

- How VAR Changes Soccer

- The Soccer World Enters an Era Without "Gods"

Part 3: 2026 World Cup LA Stay Journal

*The structure and content are tentative as they are under production.

The "Support Purchase" System to Fund Reporting and Production

On-site reporting incurs unexpected costs, including travel, accommodation, and ticket prices. A "support purchase" system is in place, allowing readers to support the production and reporting costs of the book through advance reservations. Your support directly translates into a book and a broadcast.

We have prepared multiple reservation courses based on the level of support. Some courses include souvenirs purchased on-site in Los Angeles or guest appearances on the program. This is an initiative to broaden the ways of enjoying books, such as "reading, listening, and going to discuss."

Book Overview

Title: "Sports on Gloomy Nights (tentative title)"

Authors: Kazuma Kawachi, Rikuya Izutsu

Label: DR BY VALUE BOOKS PUBLISHING

Scheduled Release: Late September 2026

Price: From 2,200 yen (tax included) *Varies by course (see below)

Reservation Deadline: For "Yabai Yuuutsu" and "Sukoburu Yuuutsu" (with souvenirs), the deadline is July 7, 2026, due to purchasing arrangements on-site. Other courses are scheduled until the day before the release.

Reservation Page Here!

Support Purchase Courses (Advance Reservations - 6 Types Total)

*The special video podcast is exclusive, private content recorded on-site in Los Angeles for purchasers only.

Author Profiles

Kazuma Kawachi

Born in 1992. From Tokyo. Former soccer coach. After studying abroad in Argentina, he served as a branding manager while also working as a coach. He has now established his own company and is involved in branding and creative production for sports-related businesses. Author of "Theory of Competition and Struggle: Should Soccer 'Compete' or 'Fight'?" Possesses a personality that finds life somewhat difficult.

Rikuya Izutsu

Born in 1994. From Osaka Prefecture. Former J.Leaguer. As captain, he achieved the first Grand Slam in university soccer history before joining the J.League. He suddenly retired as a professional soccer player at the age of 25 and is currently involved in public relations and creative work for a soccer club. Author of "The Sports of Defeat: Structural Problems and Solutions for Athletes Struggling with Their Second Careers." Handles the tsukkomi (straight man) role in Kansai dialect.

"Sports on Gloomy Nights" URL: https://open.spotify.com/show/4BCAAdCGFxcK4VSqo7Bhg5

Author Comments

"Publishing a book called 'Sports on Gloomy Nights' has been a dream of ours since we started our podcast. However, simply publishing a book wouldn't be like us. We thought, 'Why not do something more interesting using 'books,' a culture we love, as a medium?' From that desire, we decided to take on the challenge of advance sales with Value Books. This book is a record of us enjoying the gloom of sports, an essay about our trip chasing the 2026 World Cup, and a work created together with everyone who has listened to our program so far. Please support us by making a reservation! Or rather, rather than support, please help us create this book together! We look forward to completing it with all of you!"

About the Label "DR BY VALUE BOOKS PUBLISHING"

DR BY VALUE BOOKS PUBLISHING is a direct-deal label by Value Books Co., Ltd., aiming to create books that will be read for a long time. It is sold only on the company's sales site (valuebooks.jp) and at select bookstores and retailers, bypassing traditional publishing distributors, and therefore will not be found in major online stores or general bookstores. "DR" stands for "Direct," and its characteristic is to deliver books directly in a relationship where the creators, readers, and bookstores can see each other's faces. This allows for a higher percentage of sales to be returned to authors and bookstores/retailers compared to conventional publications.

About Value Books Co., Ltd.

With the mission to "create an environment where people in Japan and around the world can freely read, learn, and enjoy books," Value Books Co., Ltd. operates its main business of online book buying and selling, as well as physical stores "Hon to Cha NABO" and "Valuebooks lab.," a mobile bookstore "Book Bus," a donation project "Charibon," a book donation activity "Book Gift," and produces products using recycled paper and engages in publishing activities, fostering a better circulation of books. In October 2024, they obtained B Corp certification.

Company Profile

Company Name: Value Books Co., Ltd.

Representative Director and President: Nozomi Torii

Headquarters: 680-17 Uedawara, Ueda City, Nagano Prefecture, 386-1102

Capital: 9 million yen

Established: July 6, 2007

Business Activities: Buying and selling books, operation of physical stores "Hon to Cha NABO" and "Valuebooks lab.," donation projects, production and publishing business

Corporate Website: https://corporate.valuebooks.jp/company/