The Panasonic Impulse came from behind to beat the Fujitsu Frontiers 34-27 in Japan’s Rice Bowl American football championship on Friday, avenging three straight losses at the same stage against the same opposition since 2022.

The X-League’s title game saw Panasonic, trailing 20-13 in the fourth quarter, score three straight touchdowns to take a crucial lead at Tokyo Dome en route to its fifth championship and first in nine years.

Quarterback Yuya Araki, who ran in the first of the three touchdowns, was named the match MVP. Fujitsu led after the first and third quarters but fell short of its fourth straight title.

“Our theme was to grind out wins after the fourth quarter,” Panasonic head coach Naoya Takayama said after guiding his team to the title in his first season in charge.

“I believe managing to have players and staff fighting on the same page was the factor behind us being able to win in the end.”

The Panasonic Impulse members celebrate after winning Japan’s Rice Bowl American football championship at Tokyo Dome on Jan. 3, 2025. (Kyodo)