Japan Football Association

governing body of association football in Japan

The Japan Football Association or Japan FA (日本サッカー協会, Nihon Sakkā Kyōkai)[1] is the governing body responsible for the administration of football in Japan. It is responsible for the national team, as well as club competitions.[2]

History change

The organisation 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 1921.[3] In 1945, the name of the organisation 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. This reflected common use of the word sakkā (サッカー), derived from "soccer", rather than the older Japanese word shūkyū (蹴球; literally "kick-ball"). The word sakkā gained popularity during the post-World War II occupation of Japan by the Allied powers. The association generally translates its name to "Japan Football Association" in English,[4] though "Japan Soccer Association" is also used.[5]

Symbol change

 
This is one of the designs of Yatagarasu.

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.[6]

Presidents change

The following is a list of presidents of Japan Football Association (JFA). The Honorary President is Her Imperial Highness Princess Takamado.[7]

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

Sponsorship change

Japan has one of the highest sponsorship incomes for a national squad. In 2010, their sponsorship income amounted to over 12.5 million pounds.

Primary sponsors include Kirin, Adidas, Panasonic, Saison Card International, FamilyMart, Fujifilm, ANA, Bank of Yokohama, NTT Docomo and Nissan.

References change

  1. "組織-JFA-日本サッカー協会". 公益財団法人 日本サッカー協会(JFA).
  2. Byer, Tom (2011-02-02). "Asian Cup: Japan Is on the Up". The New York Times. Retrieved 2014-02-28.
  3. "Organisation JFA Japan Football Association". www.jfa.jp. Retrieved 2021-01-16.
  4. "Home | Japan Football Association Official Web Site". Jfa.or.jp. 2013-06-04. Retrieved 2014-01-11.
  5. "World Cup Roundup: Japanese decide on a new coach". The New York Times. Associated Press. July 2, 2006. Retrieved February 3, 2011.
  6. "general information | Japan Football Association". Jfa.or.jp. Retrieved 2014-02-28.
  7. "Empress's Cup of Soccer". Imperial Family website. January 2015.

Other websites change