Tag - japan-football-association

 
 

JAPAN FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION

Japan defender Hikaru Kitagawa (13) competes in the SheBelieves Cup in Columbus, Ohio, in April. Kitagawa is among the eight from JFA Academy Fukushima who will represent Japan at the Paris Olympics.
OLYMPICS
Jul 21, 2024
Soccer players from Fukushima academy vow to give back in Paris
Eight players who trained at JFA Academy Fukushima have been selected for the men's and women's squads representing Japan in the 2024 Summer Olympics.
Tsuneyasu Miyamoto speaks during a news conference in Tokyo on Saturday.
SOCCER
Mar 24, 2024
Ex-Japan captain Miyamoto becomes youngest head of soccer association
Miyamoto, 47, is the youngest JFA president since the end of World War II, and the first JFA head to have played in the World Cup.
Urawa's notoriously fervent supporters are known for packing stands, as well as for repeated off-the-pitch incidents that have impacted the club's reputation.
SOCCER / J. League / From the Spot
Sep 20, 2023
Urawa pays price for hooliganism after years of looking the other way
The J. League club has been banned from playing in Japan's top club tournament after more than a hundred supporters took part in an August pitch invasion.
Nadeshiko Japan reached the knockout stage at a fourth consecutive FIFA Women's World Cup before being eliminated in the quarterfinals on Friday by Sweden.
SOCCER / Women's World cup / From the Spot
Aug 15, 2023
Bold steps needed from JFA, WE League to maintain momentum after WWC
After Nadeshiko Japan's inspiring quarterfinal run in New Zealand, the country's soccer bodies must avoid the missteps of the post-2011 boom and bust.
Nadeshiko Japan players celebrate Risa Shimizu's goal in their 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup round-of-16 game against Norway in Wellington on Saturday.
SOCCER / Women's World cup / From the Spot
Aug 6, 2023
Nadeshiko Japan is back, but is Japan paying attention?
The team’s lack of media exposure and name recognition is a symptom of the Japan Football Association’s failure to capitalize on its 2011 world title.
SOCCER / J. League / From the Spot
Apr 26, 2023
J. League takes new open approach to fall-spring debate
The league could decide by the end of this year to adopt a calendar in line with those of Europe and South America's biggest leagues and competitions.
SOCCER / World cup
Dec 4, 2022
How Japanese soccer evolved to produce world-beating warriors
The Samurai Blue's upset wins over Germany and Spain at the 2022 FIFA World Cup are a result of decades of effort to expand the sport's footprint across the country.
SUMO / INSIDE SUMO
Nov 23, 2022
In the land of baseball, sumo and soccer share a close relationship
Japan's national sport and the 'beautiful game' have formed many ties over the years, with even top-ranked wrestlers attending matches and taking part in promotional events.
Japan Times
SOCCER / World cup / From the Spot
Nov 21, 2022
Samurai Blue have chance to win over hearts of Japanese fans again at World Cup
Japan's rise on the global stage has come as more fans feel disconnected from a squad of stars who mostly play abroad.
Japan Times
SOCCER
May 18, 2022
Japan 'sounded out' about hosting 2023 Asian Cup
Japan has the stadium infrastructure in place to stage the event in June and July of 2023, having recently hosted rugby's global showpiece in 2019 and last year's Olympic soccer tournament.
SOCCER / World cup / From the Spot
Apr 3, 2022
Ultimate test awaits Samurai Blue after 'Group of Death' draw
While Japan will face a daunting challenge in a group featuring former World Cup champions Germany and Spain, the high-profile games may be exactly what the team needs.
Japan Times
SOCCER / J. League / From the Spot
Jan 28, 2022
J. League's Hiromi Hara leverages new media to educate fans
Through his regular YouTube appearances and astute use of social media, the league's vice chairman has helped keep supporters connected throughout the pandemic.
Japan Times
SOCCER
Jun 22, 2021
Hajime Moriyasu looks to Europe-based players for Olympic soccer success
Half of Japan's 18-man squad for the Tokyo Games are based overseas, adding experience to a team hoping to win its first-ever gold medal when the postponed event kicks off next month.
SOCCER
Jun 1, 2021
Japan-Jamaica friendly called off after issues emerge with pre-flight COVID-19 tests
The Samurai Blue will face Japan's under-24 men's team instead of the Reggae Boyz in Sapporo on Thursday.
Japan Times
SOCCER / J. League
May 17, 2021
Yoshimi Yamashita makes history as J. League's first female referee
The 35-year-old, who will officiate at this summer's Olympic soccer tournament, broke new ground in Sunday's third-division contest between YSCC Yokohama and Tegevajaro Miyazaki.
Japan Times
SOCCER
Mar 18, 2021
Samurai Blue squad announced as JFA prepares for protective 'bubble'
Japan will host archrival South Korea in a March 25 friendly at Yokohama's Nissan Stadium before facing Mongolia in a World Cup qualifier on March 30.

Longform

Yasuyuki Yoshida stirs a brew in a fermentation tank at his brewery in Hakusan.
The quake that shook Noto's sake brewing tradition