The Japan Football Association (JFA; Japanese: 日本サッカー協会)[1] is the governing body responsible for the administration of football, futsal, beach soccer and efootball in Japan. It is responsible for the national team, as well as club competitions.[2]
| AFC | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Founded | 1921 |
| Headquarters | Bunkyō, Tokyo |
| FIFA affiliation | 1929 |
| AFC affiliation | 1954 |
| EAFF affiliation | 2002 |
| President | Kozo Tashima |
| Vice-President |
|
| Website | jfa.jp |
History Edit
The organization was founded in 1921 as the Greater Japan Football Association (大日本蹴球協会, Dai-Nippon Shūkyū Kyōkai), and became affiliated with FIFA in 1929.[1] In 1945, the name of the organization was changed to the Japan Football Association (日本蹴球協会, Nihon Shūkyū Kyōkai); its Japanese name was changed to the current title in 1975. The association generally translates its name to "Japan Football Association" in English,[3] though "Japan Soccer Association" is also used.
Identity Edit
Flag Edit
The symbol of the JFA is the Yatagarasu, a mythical three-legged raven that guided Emperor Jimmu to Mount Kumano. Yatagarasu is also the messenger of the supreme Shinto sun goddess Amaterasu.[1]
Anthem Edit
In 1994, the JFA asked Ryuichi Sakamoto to compose the instrumental song - "Japanese Soccer Anthem".[4] There is an arrangement version by Yasuhide Ito. This anthem is played at the beginning of JFA-sponsored events, such as the Emperor's Cup matches and as a prelude to kickoff at stadiums.
Members Edit
The following is a list of presidents of Japan Football Association (JFA). The Honorary President is Her Imperial Highness Princess Takamado.[5]
Last updated: 6 March 2022
| Name | Role | Ref. |
|---|---|---|
 Kohzo Tashima
|
President | [1][6][7] |
| Mitsuru Murai
|
Vice President | [6][7] |
| Kazumichi Iwagami
|
2nd Vice President | [6][7] |
| Yoshinori Hayashi
|
3rd Vice President | [7] |
| Kiyotaka Suhara
|
General Secretary | [6][7] |
| Masashi Fukuda
|
Treasurer | [6] |
| Tsuyoshi Nishimoto
|
2nd Treasurer | [6] |
| Yasuharu Sorimachi
|
Technical Director | [6][7] |
| Hajime Moriyasu
|
Team Coach (Men's) | [6][7] |
| Futoshi Ikeda
|
Team Coach (Women's) | [6][7] |
| Hideki Kato
|
Media/Communications Manager | [6] |
| Tsuyoshi Kitazawa
|
Futsal Coordinator | [6] |
| Miiko Kaneko
|
Referee Coordinator |
Presidents Edit
| Presidency | President | Took office | Left office |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jikichi Imamura
|
1921 | 1933 |
| 2 | Ryutaro Fukao
|
1935 | 1945 |
| 3 | Ryutaro Takahashi
|
1947 | 1954 |
| 4 | Yuzuru Nozu
|
1955 | 1976 |
| 5 | Tomisaburo Hirai
|
1976 | 1987 |
| 6 | Shizuo Fujita
|
1987 | 1992 |
| 7 | Hideo Shimada
|
1992 | 1994 |
| 8 | Ken Naganuma
|
1994 | 1998 |
| 9 | Shunichiro Okano
|
1998 | 2002 |
| 10 | Saburo Kawabuchi
|
2002 | 2008 |
| 11 | Motoaki Inukai
|
2008 | 2010 |
| 12 | Junji Ogura
|
2010 | 2012 |
| 13 | Kuniya Daini
|
2012 | 2016 |
| 14 | Kozo Tashima
|
2016 | Present |
Management Edit
- JFA Academy Fukushima
- JFA Academy Sakai
- JFA Academy Imabari
- JFA Academy Kumamoto Uki
Sponsorship Edit
Last updated: 8 April 2023
| Company | Period |
|---|---|
| Kirin | 1 January 2023 – 31 December 2030[8] |
| Company | Period |
|---|---|
| Adidas Japan | 20xx–present |
| Company | Period |
|---|---|
| ANA | 27 February 2023 – 31 December 2026 |
| Saison | 5 November 2001 – 31 December 2030 |
| au | 25 August 2016 – 31 December 2026 |
| Mizuho | 1 April 2013 – 31 December 2026 |
| MS&AD | 2 May 2008 – 31 December 2026 |
| Toyo Tires | 1 May 2021 – 31 December 2026 |
| Bushiroad | 9 September 2023 – 31 December 2030 |
| Company | Period |
|---|---|
| APA Hotel | 1 March 2023 – 31 December 2026 |
| Yomiuri Shimbun | 21 March 2023 – 31 December 2026 |
National teams Edit
Men Edit
| Team[9][10] | Manager | Appointed | Time as Manager |
|---|---|---|---|
| Japan national football team | Hajime Moriyasu[11][12][13][14] |
26 July 2018 |
5 years, 63 days
|
| Japan national football B team (ja) | — |
— |
—
|
| Japan national under-22 football A team | Go Oiwa[15][16] |
16 December 2021 |
1 year, 285 days
|
| Japan national under-22 football B team | Go Oiwa |
||
| Japan national under-20 football team | Yuzo Funakoshi[17] |
14 July 2023 |
75 days
|
| Japan national under-17 football team | Yoshiro Moriyama[18][19] |
16 December 2021 |
1 year, 285 days
|
| Japan national futsal team | Kenichiro Kogure[20][21] |
23 November 2021 |
1 year, 308 days
|
| Japan national under-23 futsal team | Kenichiro Kogure[22][23] |
— |
—
|
| Japan national under-20 futsal team | Kenichiro Kogure |
23 November 2021 |
1 year, 308 days
|
| Japan national beach soccer team | Ozu Moreira[24][25] |
18 June 2020 |
3 years, 101 days
|
| Japan eNational football team | — |
— |
—
|
Women Edit
| Team[9][10] | Manager | Appointed | Time as Manager |
|---|---|---|---|
| Japan women's national football A team | Futoshi Ikeda[26] |
1 October 2021 |
1 year, 361 days
|
| Japan women's national football B team | Michihisa Kano |
29 August 2023 |
29 days
|
| Japan women's national under-23 football team | — |
— |
—
|
| Japan women's national under-20 football team | Michihisa Kano (ja)[27] |
19 January 2023 |
251 days
|
| Japan women's national under-17 football team | Sadayoshi Shirai (ja)[28] |
19 January 2023 |
251 days
|
| Japan women's national futsal team | Takehiro Suga (ja)[20] |
23 November 2021 |
1 year, 308 days
|
| Japan women's national under-20 futsal team | — |
— |
—
|
League system Edit
Japanese clubs' placements at each league may determine the JFA-organized competition the club will participate in, or if they will be qualified to one at all.
Men Edit
As of the 2023 season, all clubs in the top two tiers (J1 and J2) enter the Emperor's Cup directly, with the clubs below it having to qualify to the tournament through prefectural tournaments.
Last updated: 10 December 2022
| Level on pyramid | League(s)/Division(s) | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | J1 League (J.League) 18 clubs (20 clubs from 2024) – 3 relegations (1 relegation only for 2023 season) Current: 2023 J1 League 17 February – 3 December 2023 | ||||||||
| 2 | J2 League (J.League) 22 clubs (20 clubs from 2024) – 2 promotions + 4 playoffs, 2 relegations Current: 2023 J2 League 18 February – 12 November 2023 | ||||||||
| 3 | J3 League (J.League) 20 clubs – 2 promotions, 0.5–2 relegations Current: 2023 J3 League 4 March – 2 December 2023 | ||||||||
| 4 | Japan Football League (JFL) 16 clubs – 0–2 promotions, 0–2 relegations Current: 2023 Japan Football League 12 March – 26 November 2023 | ||||||||
|
5–6 |
Japanese Regional Leagues 137 clubs Current: 2023 Japanese Regional Leagues | ||||||||
|
Hokkaido |
Tohoku |
Kantō |
Hokushinetsu |
Tōkai |
Kansai |
Chūgoku |
Shikoku |
Kyushu | |
| 7+ | 47 Prefectural Leagues (ja)[29] & 5 Block Leagues of Hokkaido 1661 clubs 452 clubs (D1), 1209 (D2 and below) – 1 promotion + 1 playoff Hokkaido | ||||||||
Women Edit
As of 2022–23 season, all clubs in the top two tiers enter the Empress's Cup directly, with the clubs below having to qualify through regional tournaments. The top tier clubs also qualify to the WE League Cup.
Last updated: 15 October 2022
| Level on pyramid | League(s)/Division(s) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | WE League 11 clubs – no relegation Current: 2023–24 WE League season 11 November 2023 – June 2024 | |
| 2 | Nadeshiko League Division 1 12 clubs – 1 relegation + 1 playoff Current: 2023 Nadeshiko League 18 March – 9 October 2023 | |
| 3 | Nadeshiko League Division 2 10 clubs – 1 promotion + 1 playoff, 1 relegation + 1 playoff Current: 2023 Nadeshiko League 1 April – 15 October 2023 | |
| 4 | 9 Regional Leagues many clubs – 2 playoffs, ?? relegations | |
| 5–6 | 47 Prefectural Leagues[29] & 2 Block Leagues of Hokkaido many clubs – ?? promotions | |
Competitions Edit
Only includes tournaments organized by the JFA.
International competitions Edit
Senior Edit
| Competition[30][9][10] | Edition | Champions / Team(s) | Next edition |
|---|---|---|---|
| National team | |||
| Kirin Cup Soccer | 2022 (final) |  Tunisia (1st title) |
TBD |
| Kirin Challenge Cup | 2023 |  Uruguay (24 March)  Colombia (28 March)  El Salvador (15 June)  Peru (20 June)
|
2024 |
| Women's national team | |||
| MS&AD Cup | 2023 |  Panama (14 July)
|
2024 |
Youth Edit
| Competition[30][9][10] | Edition | Champions / Teams | Next edition |
|---|---|---|---|
| National teams | |||
| U-16 International Dream Cup | 2023 | Japan  Netherlands  Nigeria  United States
|
2024 |
Domestic competitions Edit
Senior Edit
| Competition[31][32] | Season | Champions | Score | Runners-up | Next season | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| League | ||||||||||
| Japanese Regional Football Champions League | 2022 | Briobecca Urayasu (1st title) |
—
|
Okinawa SV | 2023 | |||||
| Cup | ||||||||||
| Japanese Super Cup | 2023 | Yokohama F. Marinos (1st title) |
2–1
|
Ventforet Kofu | 2024 | |||||
| Emperor's Cup JFA Japan Football Championship | 2022 (final) | Ventforet Kofu (1st title) |
Sanfrecce Hiroshima | 2023 (final) | ||||||
| All Japan Senior Football Championship | 2022 | Briobecca Urayasu (1st title) |
0–0
(4–3 p) |
BTOP Thank Kuriyama | 2023 | |||||
| All Japan Club Teams Football Tournament | 2022 | OK FC (1st title) |
5–0
|
FC Kuroshio 84 | 2023 | |||||
| Futsal | ||||||||||
| JFA Japan Futsal Championship | 2023 (ja) | Fugador Sumida (2nd title) |
1–0
|
Shonan Bellmare | 2024 (ja) | |||||
| F.League Ocean Cup | 2023 | Nagoya Oceans (10th title) |
5–1
|
Bardral Urayasu | 2024 | |||||
| Beach soccer | ||||||||||
| JFA Japan Beach Soccer Tournament | 2023 | Tokyo Verdy BS (5th title) |
3–2
|
Loewe Yokohama | 2024 | |||||
| Competition[31][32] | Season | Champions | Score | Runners-up | Next season | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Women's cup | ||||||||||
| Empress's Cup JFA Japan Women's Football Championship | 2022 (final) | Nippon TV Tokyo Verdy Beleza (16th title) |
4–0
|
INAC Kobe Leonessa | 2023 (final) | |||||
| Women's futsal | ||||||||||
| JFA Japan Women's Futsal Championship (ja) | 2023 | Bardral Urayasu Las Bonitas (2nd title) |
6–1
|
Arco Kobe | 2024 | |||||
Youth Edit
| Competition[31][32] | Season | Champions | Score | Runners-up | Next season | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| League | ||||||||||
| Prince Takamado Trophy JFA U-18 Football Premier League | 2022 | Sagan Tosu U-18 (1st title) |
3–2
|
Kawasaki Frontale U-18 | 2023 | |||||
| Cup | ||||||||||
| All Japan University Football Tournament | 2022 | Toin University of Yokohama (1st title) |
3–2
|
Niigata University of Health and Welfare | 2023 | |||||
| Prime Minister Cup All Japan University Soccer Tournament (ja) | 2023 (ja) | Fuji University (1st title) |
2–1
|
Kwansei Gakuin University | 2024 (ja) | |||||
| Denso Cup Challenge Soccer (ja) | 2023 | Kansai Selection (5th title) |
3–1
|
Tokai Selection | 2024 | |||||
| All Japan University Football Rookie Championship | 2022 | University of Tsukuba (7th title) |
3–1
|
Meiji University | 2023 | |||||
| Club Youth U-18 Championship (ja) | 2023 (ja) | Gamba Osaka U-18 (4th title) |
FC Tokyo U-18 | 2024 (ja) | ||||||
| All Japan High School Soccer Tournament | 2022 | Okayama Gakugeikan High School (1st title) |
3–1
|
Higashiyama High School | 2023 | |||||
| Inter High School Sports Festival | 2023 | Meishu Hitachi Gakuen High School (1st title) |
Toko Gakuen High School | 2024 | ||||||
| Prince Takamado Trophy JFA U-15 Japan Football Championship (ja) | 2022 (ja) | Vissel Kobe (2nd title) |
3–0
|
Sanfrecce Hiroshima | 2023 (ja) | |||||
| Club Youth U-15 Championship (ja) | 2023 (ja) | FC Tama (1st title) |
2–1
|
Sorriso Kumamoto | 2024 (ja) | |||||
| Junior High School Sports Festival (ja) | 2023 (ja) | Kamimura Gakuen Junior High School (2nd title) |
4–1
|
Nissho Gakuen Junior High School | 2024 (ja) | |||||
| JFA U-12 Japan Football Championship (ja) | 2022 | Regista FC (2nd title) |
2–0
|
Kashiwa Reysol U-12 | 2023 | |||||
| Futsal | ||||||||||
| University Futsal Championship (ja) | 2023 | Osaka Seikei University (2nd title) |
5–3
|
Tama University | 2024 | |||||
| JFA U-18 Japan Futsal Championship (ja) | 2023 | Fugador Sumida Falcons (1st title) | 1–0
|
Pescadola Machida | 2024 | |||||
| JFA U-15 Japan Futsal Championship (ja) | 2023 | Fugador Sumida Wings (1st title) |
4–1
|
Kōchi Junior High School | 2024 | |||||
| JFA Vermont Cup U-12 Japan Futsal Championship (ja) | 2023 | Violet FC (3rd title) |
8–7
|
Ginga FC | 2024 | |||||
| Competition[31][32] | Season | Champions | Score | Runners-up | Next season | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Women's league | ||||||||||
| JFA U-15 Women's Football League | 2021 | Tokyo Verdy Menina | 3–2
|
JFA Academy Fukushima | 2022[33] | |||||
| Women's cup | ||||||||||
| All Japan Women's University Football Championship | 2022 | Toyo University (1st title) |
1–0
|
Yamanashi Gakuin University | 2023 | |||||
| XF CUP Japan Club Youth (U-18) Women's Football Tournament (ja) | 2023 | Tokyo Verdy Menina (1st title) |
1–0
|
Cerezo Osaka Yanmar Girls | 2024 | |||||
| All Japan High School Women's Football Championship | 2022 | Fujieda Junshin High School (6th title) |
1–0
|
Jumonji High School | 2023 | |||||
| JFA U-18 Japan Women's Football Championship (ja) | 2022 | Tokyo Verdy Menina (10th title) |
Nojima Stella Kanagawa Sagamihara Due | 2023 | ||||||
| Princess Takamado Trophy JFA U-15 Women's Football Championship (ja) | 2022 | JFA Academy Fukushima (3rd title) |
3–1
|
JEF United Chiba | 2023 | |||||
| Women's futsal | ||||||||||
| JFA U-15 Japan Women's Futsal Tournament (ja) | 2023 | Asahi Intecc Loveledge Nagoya Statice (1st title) |
4–3
|
Jūmonji Junior High School | 2024 | |||||
Over-age Edit
| Competition[31][32] | Season | Champions | Score | Runners-up | Next season | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overage | ||||||||
| JFA O-40 Japan Football Tournament | 2022 | Fujieda FC (1st title) |
1–0
|
Sol Toda | 2023 | |||
| JFA O-50 Japan Football Tournament | 2023 | Yamanashi Masters (1st title) |
3–1
|
Nichols FC Senior | 2024 | |||
| JFA O-60 Japan Football Tournament | 2023 | Yokosuka Azul (1st title) |
1–0
|
Shizuoka Selection | 2024 | |||
| JFA O-70 Japan Football Tournament | 2023 | Hyogo Selection (1st title) |
0–0
(4–2 p) |
Shizuoka Selection | 2024 | |||
| Competition[31][32] | Season | Champions | Score | Runners-up | Next season | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Women's overage | ||||||||
| JFA O-30 Japan Women's Football Tournament (ja) | 2023 | Shupini Osaka (1st title) |
1–0
|
Yamato Sylphid '98 | 2024 | |||
| JFA O-40 Japan Women's Football Open Tournament | 2023 | Banvert (1st title) |
1–0
|
FC.VIDA Feliz | 2024 | |||
See also Edit
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References Edit
- ^ a b c d "Organisation". Japan Football Association. 16 January 2021.
- ^ Byer, Tom (2 February 2011). "Asian Cup: Japan Is on the Up". The New York Times.
- ^ "Japan Football Association". Japan Football Association. 4 June 2013.
- ^ "財団法人日本サッカー協会 平成18年度第1回理事会 報告事項" [Japan Football Association 2006 1st Board Meeting Report Matters] (PDF). Japan Football Association. 13 April 2006. p. 6.
- ^ "Empress's Cup of Soccer". Imperial Family of Japan. 1 January 2015.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k "Japan Football Association". FIFA. Retrieved 9 February 2023.
- ^ a b c d e f g h "Japan Football Association (JFA)". Asian Football Confederation. Retrieved 31 October 2020.
- ^ "「日本サッカー協会オフィシャルパートナー」契約に基本合意" [Basic agreement on contract with Japan Football Association Official Partner] (in Japanese). Kirin Company. 1 June 2022.
- ^ a b c d "Japan national team". Japan Football Association. Retrieved 3 October 2022.
- ^ a b c d "日本代表" [Japan national team] (in Japanese). Japan Football Association. Retrieved 3 October 2022.
- ^ "Samurai Blue's head coach Moriyasu Hajime signs contract extension to 2026 "We want to see a new view at the next world cup"". Japan Football Association. 29 December 2022.
- ^ "Moriyasu Hajime named as the head coach of Samurai Blue (Japan national team)". Japan Football Association. 26 July 2018.
- ^ "Samurai Blue（日本代表）監督 森保一氏と契約合意" [Contract agreement with Samurai Blue (Japan national team) manager Hajime Moriyasu]. Japan Football Association (in Japanese). 28 December 2022.
- ^ "SAMURAI BLUE（日本代表）監督に森保一氏が就任" [Contract agreement with Samurai Blue (Japan national team) manager Hajime Moriyasu]. Japan Football Association (in Japanese). 26 July 2018.
- ^ "Mr. OIWA Go appointed as Head Coach of U-21 Japan National Team". Japan Football Association. 16 December 2021.
- ^ "U-21日本代表監督に大岩剛氏が就任" [Mr. OIWA Go appointed Head Coach of U-21 Japan National Team]. Japan Football Association (in Japanese). 16 December 2021.
- ^ "U-18日本代表監督に船越優蔵氏が就任" [Yuzo Funakoshi appointed coach of U-18 Japan National Team]. Japan Football Association (in Japanese). 14 July 2023.
- ^ "Mr. Moriyama Yoshiro appointed as head coach of u-16 Japan national team". Japan Football Association. 16 December 2021.
- ^ "U-16日本代表監督に森山佳郎氏が就任" [Mr. Moriyama Yoshiro appointed head coach of u-16 Japan national team]. Japan Football Association. 16 December 2021.
- ^ a b "Japan futsal national team appoint Mr. Kogure Kenichiro as men's head coach and Mr. Suga Takehiro as women's head coach". Japan Football Association. 23 November 2021.
- ^ "フットサル日本代表 新監督が決定 男子は木暮賢一郎監督、女子は須賀雄大監督が就任" [Japan futsal national team appoint Mr. Kogure Kenichiro as men’s head coach and Mr. Suga Takehiro as women’s head coach]. Japan Football Association (in Japanese). 23 November 2021.
- ^ "U-23 Japan futsal national team short-listed squad - Training camp (12/26-29＠JFA YUME Field)". Japan Football Association. 20 December 2022.
- ^ "U-23フットサル日本代表候補トレーニングキャンプ（12.26-29＠高円宮記念JFA夢フィールド）メンバー" [U-23 Japan futsal national team short-listed squad - Training camp (12/26-29＠JFA YUME Field)]. Japan Football Association. 20 December 2022.
- ^ "Mr. Moreira Ozu appointed as new coach of Japan beach soccer national team". Japan Football Association. 18 June 2020.
- ^ "ビーチサッカー日本代表 茂怜羅オズ氏が新監督に就任" [Mr. Moreira Ozu appointed new coach of Japan beach soccer national team]. Japan Football Association (in Japanese). 18 June 2020.
- ^ "Mr. Ikeda Futoshi appointed as head coach of Nadeshiko Japan (Japan women's national team)". Japan Football Association. 1 October 2021.
- ^ "U-19日本女子代表 狩野倫久監督が就任" [Mr. Michihisa Kano appointed head coach of Japan women’s national under-19 football team]. Japan Football Association (in Japanese). 19 January 2023.
- ^ "U-16日本女子代表 白井貞義監督が就任" [Mr. Sadayoshi Shirai appointed head coach of Japan women’s national under-16 football team]. Japan Football Association (in Japanese). 19 January 2023.
- ^ a b "47 Prefectural Football Associations". Japan Football Association. Retrieved 19 October 2022.
- ^ a b "List of International matches". Japan Football Association. Retrieved 27 May 2023.
- ^ a b c d e f "Competitions". Japan Football Association. Retrieved 17 June 2022.
- ^ a b c d e f "大会・試合" [Competitions / Matches] (in Japanese). Japan Football Association. Retrieved 3 October 2022.
- ^ "JFA Women's Football League 2022". Japan Football Association. Retrieved 5 May 2022.
External links Edit
- Official website (in English)
- JFA on FIFA
- JFA on AFC