TOKYO, Jp. — The Bills’ biggest game of the year is Sunday when they take on the Chiefs in Kansas City.
Fans from around the world will be rooting for revenge for last year’s heartbreaking loss in the playoffs.
That includes one fan from Japan who happens to share a birthday with Josh Allen.
"Japanese Bills fans are increasing because the Bills are doing very well these days," said Keita Nakagawa, a government worker in Tokyo who roots for the Bills.
Keita has been proudly representing Bills Mafia since the Super Bowl days of the 1990s.
His favorite Japanese pro baseball team is called the Buffaloes — and he likes rooting for the underdogs.
So the Bills were a natural choice when he became interested in American football.
"I love the team which has never become champion yet and also which plays dramatically, win or lose. Buffalo Bills 100% satisfies the conditions, so I fall in love with Bills," he said.
Keita can rattle off the great players and most memorable games in Bills history — just like almost any fan watching from Western New York.
"The games have been always so exciting and dramatic,” he said. “The Wide Right, the Comeback, the four Super Bowl defeats in a row, the Music City Miracle and the 13 Seconds last season. So many.”
His favorite players of the past include Jim Kelly, Bruce Smith, Darryl Talley and Don Beebe. Of the current players, Josh Allen, Dawson Knox, Gregory Rousseau and Von Miller top the list.
With a 13-hour time difference, watching the games live can be a challenge, but he uses NFL+ on his computer to watch them when he’s away from his office job.
"Ah, it affects me so much actually," he said. "Your night game become morning games and your day game becomes midnight game here."
But that doesn’t stop him from supporting his team. He’s an active member of the Bills Mafia Facebook page, and enjoys connecting with fans around the world.
"I have met some of them personally in Japan and have become very good friends," he said. "In addition, it’s always a wonderful chance for me to practice my English."
Keita has never been to the mainland United States, but he hopes to come here as soon as next year and attend a Bills game in-person.
And he believes when he does — they’ll already be the Super Bowl champs.
Even 6,500 miles away, Keita can see maybe this is their year.
"And after we become Super Bowl champions, everybody will realize the four Super Bowl losses were just an entrance gate to our long, long golden era," he said.