Football in Japan
Encyclopedia
Association football is one of the most popular sports in Japan
. Its nationwide organization, Japan Football Association
, administers the professional football league, J. League
, which is the most successful association football league in Asia.
uses the term "football", the term sakkā (サッカー), derived from "soccer", is much more commonly used than futtobōru (フットボール). The JFA's Japanese name is Nippon Sakkā Kyōkai.
Before World War II
the term in general use was shūkyū (蹴球, kick-ball), a Sino-Japanese term. With previously exclusive Japanese terms replaced by American
influence after the war, sakkā became more commonplace. In recent years, many professional teams have named themselves F.C.s (football clubs), with examples being F.C. Tokyo and Yokohama F.C.
by O-yatoi gaikokujin
, foreign advisors hired by the Japanese government, along with many other foreign sports. The first Japanese association football club is considered to be Tokyo Shukyu-dan, founded in 1917, which is now competing in the Tokyo
Prefectural amateur league.
In the 1920s, football associations were organized and regional tournaments began in universities and high schools especially in Tokyo. In 1930, the Japan national association football team was organized and had a 3-3 tie with China
for their first title at the Far Eastern Championship Games
. Japan national team also participated in the 1936 Berlin Olympic Games
, the team had a first victory in an Olympic game with a 3-2 win over powerful Sweden
.
Aside from the national cup, the Emperor's Cup
established in 1921, there had been several attempts at creating a senior-level national championship. The first was the All Japan Works Football Championship (AJWFC), established in 1948 and open only to company teams. The second was the All Japan Inter-City Football Championship (AJICFC), established in 1955 and separating clubs by cities (any club, works, university or autonomous, could represent their home city and qualify) but the Emperor's Cup remained dominated by universities until the late 1950s. All these tournaments were cups following single-elimination
formulas, similar to Serie A
in Italy
before 1929.
The first organized national league, the Japan Soccer League
, was organized in 1965 with eight amateur company clubs and replaced the AJWFC and AJICFC. At the 1968 Mexico Olympic Games
, the Japan national team, filled with the top JSL stars of the era, had its first big success winning third place and a bronze medal. Olympic success spurred the creation of a Second Division for the JSL and openings for the first few professional players, in the beginning foreigners (mainly Brazil
ians), and a few from other countries. Japanese players, however, remained amateur, having to work day jobs for the companies owning the clubs (or other companies if their clubs were autonomous). This limited the growth of the Japanese game, and many better Japanese players had to move abroad to make a living off the game, such as Yasuhiko Okudera
, the first Japanese player to play in a professional European club, (1. FC Köln
of Germany
).
In 1993, the Japan Professional Football League
(commonly known as the J. League) was formed replacing the semi-professional Japan Soccer League as the new top-level club competition in Japan. It consisted of some of the top clubs from the old JSL, fully professionalized, renamed to fit communities and with the corporate identity reduced to a minimum. The new higher-standard league attracted many more spectators and helped the sport to hugely increase in popularity. The professionalized league also offered, and offers, incentives for amateur non-company clubs to become part of their ranks with no major backing from a company; major examples of community, non-company-affiliated clubs who rose through the prefectural and regional ranks
into the major leagues are Albirex Niigata
and Oita Trinita
.
Japan participated in its first-ever World Cup tournament at the 1998 FIFA World Cup
held in France
. In 2002, Japan co-hosted the 2002 FIFA World Cup
with Republic of Korea
. After this, the association football communities of both countries received the FIFA Fair Play Award
. The Japanese national team reached the Round of 16 which is its best World Cup performance to date. It also qualified for the 2006 FIFA World Cup
in Germany
and the 2010 FIFA World Cup
in South Africa
.
) series, Captain Tsubasa
, was started in 1981. Captain Tsubasa was extremely popular among children (boys and girls) in Japan. Its success led to many more association football manga being written, and it played a great role in association football history in Japan. Playing football became more popular than playing baseball in many schools throughout Japan from 1980s due to the series.
Captain Tsubasa has also inspired the likes of prominent footballers such as Hidetoshi Nakata
, Seigo Narazaki
, Zinedine Zidane
, Francesco Totti
, Fernando Torres
, Christian Vieri
, Giuseppe Sculli
and Alessandro Del Piero
to play association football and choose it as a career.
The anime Giant Killing
revolves around a team's efforts to go from one of the worst professional teams in Japan to the best.
is organized on a promotion and relegation basis. The top flight of women's association football is the semi-professional L. League
(currently billed as the Nadeshiko League). Most clubs are independent clubs, although the recent trend is to have women's sections of established J. League clubs.
The national team
achieved its greatest triumph ever when they won the 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup in Germany.
See also :Category:Japanese footballers.
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
. Its nationwide organization, Japan Football Association
Japan Football Association
The Japan Football Association, sometimes known as the Japan Soccer Association , is the governing body responsible for the administration of association football in Japan. It is responsible for the national team as well as club competitions....
, administers the professional football league, J. League
J. League
The or is the top division of and is the top professional association football league in Japan. It is one of the most successful leagues in Asian club football and the only league given top class 'A' ranking by the AFC. Currently, J. League Division 1 is the first level of the Japanese...
, which is the most successful association football league in Asia.
Name
Although the official English name of the Japan Football AssociationJapan Football Association
The Japan Football Association, sometimes known as the Japan Soccer Association , is the governing body responsible for the administration of association football in Japan. It is responsible for the national team as well as club competitions....
uses the term "football", the term sakkā (サッカー), derived from "soccer", is much more commonly used than futtobōru (フットボール). The JFA's Japanese name is Nippon Sakkā Kyōkai.
Before World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
the term in general use was shūkyū (蹴球, kick-ball), a Sino-Japanese term. With previously exclusive Japanese terms replaced by American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
influence after the war, sakkā became more commonplace. In recent years, many professional teams have named themselves F.C.s (football clubs), with examples being F.C. Tokyo and Yokohama F.C.
History
Association football was introduced in Meiji periodMeiji period
The , also known as the Meiji era, is a Japanese era which extended from September 1868 through July 1912. This period represents the first half of the Empire of Japan.- Meiji Restoration and the emperor :...
by O-yatoi gaikokujin
O-yatoi gaikokujin
The Foreign government advisors in Meiji Japan, known in Japanese as oyatoi gaikokujin , were those foreign advisors hired by the Japanese government for their specialized knowledge to assist in the modernization of Japan at the end of the Bakufu and during the Meiji era. The term is sometimes...
, foreign advisors hired by the Japanese government, along with many other foreign sports. The first Japanese association football club is considered to be Tokyo Shukyu-dan, founded in 1917, which is now competing in the Tokyo
Tokyo
, ; officially , is one of the 47 prefectures of Japan. Tokyo is the capital of Japan, the center of the Greater Tokyo Area, and the largest metropolitan area of Japan. It is the seat of the Japanese government and the Imperial Palace, and the home of the Japanese Imperial Family...
Prefectural amateur league.
In the 1920s, football associations were organized and regional tournaments began in universities and high schools especially in Tokyo. In 1930, the Japan national association football team was organized and had a 3-3 tie with China
China national football team
The China PR national football team is the national association football team of the People's Republic of China and is governed by the Chinese Football Association...
for their first title at the Far Eastern Championship Games
Far Eastern Championship Games
The Far Eastern Championship Games was a small Asian multi-sport competition considered to be a precursor to the Asian Games....
. Japan national team also participated in the 1936 Berlin Olympic Games
1936 Summer Olympics
The 1936 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XI Olympiad, was an international multi-sport event which was held in 1936 in Berlin, Germany. Berlin won the bid to host the Games over Barcelona, Spain on April 26, 1931, at the 29th IOC Session in Barcelona...
, the team had a first victory in an Olympic game with a 3-2 win over powerful Sweden
Sweden national football team
The Swedish national football team represents Sweden in association football and is controlled by the Swedish Football Association, the governing body for Football in Sweden. Sweden's home ground is Råsunda Stadium in Stockholms län and their head coach is Erik Hamrén. Sweden made their first...
.
Aside from the national cup, the Emperor's Cup
Emperor's Cup
, commonly known as or , is a Japanese association football competition. It has the longest tradition of any football tournament in Japan, dating back to 1921, before the formation of the J. League, Japan Football League and their predecessor, Japan Soccer League...
established in 1921, there had been several attempts at creating a senior-level national championship. The first was the All Japan Works Football Championship (AJWFC), established in 1948 and open only to company teams. The second was the All Japan Inter-City Football Championship (AJICFC), established in 1955 and separating clubs by cities (any club, works, university or autonomous, could represent their home city and qualify) but the Emperor's Cup remained dominated by universities until the late 1950s. All these tournaments were cups following single-elimination
Single-elimination tournament
A single-elimination tournament, also called a knockout, cup or sudden death tournament, is a type of elimination tournament where the loser of each match or bracket is immediately eliminated from winning the championship or first prize in the event...
formulas, similar to Serie A
Serie A
Serie A , now called Serie A TIM due to sponsorship by Telecom Italia, is a professional league competition for football clubs located at the top of the Italian football league system and has been operating for over eighty years since 1929. It had been organized by Lega Calcio until 2010, but a new...
in Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
before 1929.
The first organized national league, the Japan Soccer League
Japan Soccer League
, or JSL, was the top flight soccer league in Japan between 1965 and 1992, and was the precursor to the current professional league, the J. League. JSL was the second national league of a team sport in Japan after the professional Japanese Baseball League that was founded in 1936...
, was organized in 1965 with eight amateur company clubs and replaced the AJWFC and AJICFC. At the 1968 Mexico Olympic Games
1968 Summer Olympics
The 1968 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XIX Olympiad, were an international multi-sport event held in Mexico City, Mexico in October 1968. The 1968 Games were the first Olympic Games hosted by a developing country, and the first Games hosted by a Spanish-speaking country...
, the Japan national team, filled with the top JSL stars of the era, had its first big success winning third place and a bronze medal. Olympic success spurred the creation of a Second Division for the JSL and openings for the first few professional players, in the beginning foreigners (mainly Brazil
Brazil
Brazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people...
ians), and a few from other countries. Japanese players, however, remained amateur, having to work day jobs for the companies owning the clubs (or other companies if their clubs were autonomous). This limited the growth of the Japanese game, and many better Japanese players had to move abroad to make a living off the game, such as Yasuhiko Okudera
Yasuhiko Okudera
is a former Japanese footballer who is currently the president of J. League Division 2 club Yokohama FC and was formerly the president of English club Plymouth Argyle. Okudera was the first Japanese footballer to play professionally in Europe, as well as being the first Asian football player to...
, the first Japanese player to play in a professional European club, (1. FC Köln
1. FC Köln
1. FC Köln is a German association football club based in Cologne, North Rhine-Westphalia. It was formed in 1948 as a merger of the clubs Kölner Ballspiel-Club 1901 and SpVgg Sülz 07....
of Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
).
In 1993, the Japan Professional Football League
J. League
The or is the top division of and is the top professional association football league in Japan. It is one of the most successful leagues in Asian club football and the only league given top class 'A' ranking by the AFC. Currently, J. League Division 1 is the first level of the Japanese...
(commonly known as the J. League) was formed replacing the semi-professional Japan Soccer League as the new top-level club competition in Japan. It consisted of some of the top clubs from the old JSL, fully professionalized, renamed to fit communities and with the corporate identity reduced to a minimum. The new higher-standard league attracted many more spectators and helped the sport to hugely increase in popularity. The professionalized league also offered, and offers, incentives for amateur non-company clubs to become part of their ranks with no major backing from a company; major examples of community, non-company-affiliated clubs who rose through the prefectural and regional ranks
Japanese football league system
The Japanese association football league system is organized in a pyramidal shape similar to football league systems in many other countries around the world...
into the major leagues are Albirex Niigata
Albirex Niigata
is a Japanese J. League Division 1 association football team. Despite the club's relative youth, only joining the J. League in 1999, Albirex are one of Japan's best supported teams. In 2003, while still playing in the second tier of Japanese football , Albirex attracted the best average crowd in...
and Oita Trinita
Oita Trinita
is a J. League Division 2 team. The team name Trinita can be considered either a combination of the English word trinity and Ōita, or the Italian word trinità. The dual meaning expresses the will of the citizens, companies, and local governments to support the team.The team's home town is Ōita...
.
Japan participated in its first-ever World Cup tournament at the 1998 FIFA World Cup
1998 FIFA World Cup
The 1998 FIFA World Cup, the 16th FIFA World Cup, was held in France from 10 June to 12 July 1998. France was chosen as host nation by FIFA on 2 July 1992. The tournament was won by France, who beat Brazil 3-0 in the final...
held in France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
. In 2002, Japan co-hosted the 2002 FIFA World Cup
2002 FIFA World Cup
The 2002 FIFA World Cup was the 17th staging of the FIFA World Cup, held in South Korea and Japan from 31 May to 30 June. It was also the first World Cup held in Asia, and the last in which the golden goal rule was implemented. Brazil won the tournament for a record fifth time, beating Germany 2–0...
with Republic of Korea
South Korea
The Republic of Korea , , is a sovereign state in East Asia, located on the southern portion of the Korean Peninsula. It is neighbored by the People's Republic of China to the west, Japan to the east, North Korea to the north, and the East China Sea and Republic of China to the south...
. After this, the association football communities of both countries received the FIFA Fair Play Award
FIFA Fair Play Award
The FIFA Fair Play Award is a FIFA recognition of good or sporting behaviour or other actions by people or bodies involved in :association football around the world. First awarded in 1987, it has been presented to individuals , teams, fans, spectators, football associations/federations and even...
. The Japanese national team reached the Round of 16 which is its best World Cup performance to date. It also qualified for the 2006 FIFA World Cup
2006 FIFA World Cup
The 2006 FIFA World Cup was the 18th FIFA World Cup, the quadrennial international football world championship tournament. It was held from 9 June to 9 July 2006 in Germany, which won the right to host the event in July 2000. Teams representing 198 national football associations from all six...
in Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
and the 2010 FIFA World Cup
2010 FIFA World Cup
The 2010 FIFA World Cup was the 19th FIFA World Cup, the world championship for men's national association football teams. It took place in South Africa from 11 June to 11 July 2010...
in South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
.
Football in fiction
The first worldwide popular association football-oriented Japanese animation (mangaManga
Manga is the Japanese word for "comics" and consists of comics and print cartoons . In the West, the term "manga" has been appropriated to refer specifically to comics created in Japan, or by Japanese authors, in the Japanese language and conforming to the style developed in Japan in the late 19th...
) series, Captain Tsubasa
Captain Tsubasa
, also known as Flash Kicker, is a popular long running Japanese manga, animation, and video game series, originally created by Yōichi Takahashi in 1981...
, was started in 1981. Captain Tsubasa was extremely popular among children (boys and girls) in Japan. Its success led to many more association football manga being written, and it played a great role in association football history in Japan. Playing football became more popular than playing baseball in many schools throughout Japan from 1980s due to the series.
Captain Tsubasa has also inspired the likes of prominent footballers such as Hidetoshi Nakata
Hidetoshi Nakata
, is a retired Japanese football player. He was one of the most famous Asian footballers of his generation.Nakata began his professional career in 1995 and won the Asian Football Confederation Player of the Year award in 1997 and 1998, the Scudetto with A.S...
, Seigo Narazaki
Seigo Narazaki
is a Japanese football player, who currently plays for J. League Division 1 side Nagoya Grampus. He is a goalkeeper and a member of the Japanese national football team.-Playing career:...
, Zinedine Zidane
Zinedine Zidane
Zinedine Yazid Zidane is a retired French footballer. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest players of all time. Zidane was a leading figure of a generation of French players that won the 1998 World Cup and 2000 European Championship...
, Francesco Totti
Francesco Totti
Francesco Totti, Ufficiale OMRI, is an Italian footballer who is the captain of Serie A club Roma. His primary position is that of a trequartista, though he has also been successfully utilized as a lone striker. Totti has spent his entire career at Roma, is the number-one goalscorer and the most...
, Fernando Torres
Fernando Torres
Fernando José Torres Sanz , nicknamed , is a Spanish footballer who plays for Chelsea and the Spain national team as a striker....
, Christian Vieri
Christian Vieri
Christian Vieri is a retired Italian footballer who played as a centre forward.Vieri was named in the FIFA 100, a list of the 125 greatest living footballers selected by Pelé as a part of FIFA's centenary celebrations...
, Giuseppe Sculli
Giuseppe Sculli
Giuseppe Sculli is an Italian footballer who plays for Lazio.-Juventus:Sculli made his Serie A debut on 14 September 2002 for Modena against A.C...
and Alessandro Del Piero
Alessandro Del Piero
Alessandro Del Piero Ufficiale OMRI is an Italian World Cup-winning footballer who plays for Serie A club Juventus, of which he is also club captain....
to play association football and choose it as a career.
The anime Giant Killing
Giant Killing
is an ongoing Japanese football manga series created by Masaya Tsunamoto. A 26-episode anime adaptation animated by Studio DEEN began airing in Japan on the BS hi network on April 4, 2010. In 2010, it won the Kodansha Manga Award for best general manga....
revolves around a team's efforts to go from one of the worst professional teams in Japan to the best.
Women's football
As in Europe's advanced countries, Japanese women's association footballWomen's football (soccer)
Women's association football has been played for many decades, but was associated with charity games and physical exercise in the past before the breakthrough of organized women's association football came in the 1970s. Before the 1970s, football was basically seen as a men's game...
is organized on a promotion and relegation basis. The top flight of women's association football is the semi-professional L. League
L. League
The L. League is the top flight of women's association football in Japan. It is the women's equivalent of the J. League, but not professional. However, some individual players are professional.The league conssists of two divisions: division 1 has the nickname and division 2...
(currently billed as the Nadeshiko League). Most clubs are independent clubs, although the recent trend is to have women's sections of established J. League clubs.
The national team
Japan women's national football team
The Japan women's national football team, or Nadeshiko Japan , is a selection of the best female players in Japan and is run by the Japan Football Association . Japan defeated the U.S...
achieved its greatest triumph ever when they won the 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup in Germany.
Domestic tournaments
- J. LeagueJ. LeagueThe or is the top division of and is the top professional association football league in Japan. It is one of the most successful leagues in Asian club football and the only league given top class 'A' ranking by the AFC. Currently, J. League Division 1 is the first level of the Japanese...
(Japan Professional Football League) is the top national league in Japan with a J1 division and a J2 division. - Japan Football LeagueJapan Football LeagueThe is the 3rd tier of the Japanese association football league system, following J. League Division 1 and J. League Division 2. Also known as the JFL, it is generally considered as the top amateur league in Japan although in reality it is a semi-professional league as many full-time footballers...
(JFL) is the national amateur league. - Emperor's CupEmperor's Cup, commonly known as or , is a Japanese association football competition. It has the longest tradition of any football tournament in Japan, dating back to 1921, before the formation of the J. League, Japan Football League and their predecessor, Japan Soccer League...
(since 1921) the national open cup. - J. League CupJ. League CupJ. League Cup is a Japanese football competition organized by J. League. It is also known as Yamazaki Nabisco Cup or Nabisco Cup because confectionery/bakery company Yamazaki Nabisco have sponsored the competition since its inception in 1992.It is generally regarded as the Japanese equivalent to...
is the cup restricted to J. League members (usually J1 alone). - All Japan Senior Football ChampionshipAll Japan Senior Football ChampionshipThe All Japan Senior Football Championship is a football cup competition in Japan. It is run by the Japan Football Association. As it only involves non-league teams The All Japan Senior Football Championship (Zenkoku Shakaijin Sakkā Senshuken Taikai, 全国社会人サッカー選手権大会) is a football (soccer) cup...
, cup for clubs in regional leagues below JFL. - All Japan Regional Football Promotion League SeriesAll Japan Regional Football Promotion League SeriesThe All Japan Regional Promotion League Series is a play-off tournament meant as a transition for Japanese football clubs competing in regional leagues to the bottom national tier .-History:Until 1976, the main entrance route for regional clubs to the Japan Soccer League was...
, round-robin elimination tournament for promotion of regional-league clubs into JFL.
Other international tournaments held in Japan
- 1958 3rd Asian Games1958 Asian GamesThe 3rd Asian Games were held from May 24 to June 1, 1958 in Tokyo, Japan. A total number of 1,820 athletes, coming from 16 countries, competed in thirteen events at this Asiad. Debuting sports were field hockey, table tennis, tennis, and volleyball. Tokyo would go on to host the 1964 Summer...
, TokyoTokyo, ; officially , is one of the 47 prefectures of Japan. Tokyo is the capital of Japan, the center of the Greater Tokyo Area, and the largest metropolitan area of Japan. It is the seat of the Japanese government and the Imperial Palace, and the home of the Japanese Imperial Family... - 1964 Tokyo Olympic Games1964 Summer OlympicsThe 1964 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XVIII Olympiad, was an international multi-sport event held in Tokyo, Japan in 1964. Tokyo had been awarded with the organization of the 1940 Summer Olympics, but this honor was subsequently passed to Helsinki because of Japan's...
- 1979 FIFA World Youth Championship1979 FIFA World Youth ChampionshipThe 1979 FIFA World Youth Championship, the second staging of the FIFA World Youth Championship, was held in Japan from August 26 to September 7, 1979. The tournament took place in four venues — Kobe, Omiya, Tokyo and Yokohama — where a total of 32 matches were played, four more than in the...
- 1992 AFC Asian Cup1992 AFC Asian CupThe Asian Football Confederation's 1992 AFC Asian Cup finals were held in Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan between October 29 and November 8. The host nation, Japan, defeated the defending champion Saudi Arabia in the final in Hiroshima.-Stadiums:...
, HiroshimaHiroshimais the capital of Hiroshima Prefecture, and the largest city in the Chūgoku region of western Honshu, the largest island of Japan. It became best known as the first city in history to be destroyed by a nuclear weapon when the United States Army Air Forces dropped an atomic bomb on it at 8:15 A.M... - 1993 FIFA U-17 World Championship1993 FIFA U-17 World ChampionshipThe 1993 FIFA U-17 World Championship was held in the cities of Tokyo, Hiroshima, Kyoto, Kobe, Nagoya, and Gifu City in Japan between 21 August and 4 September 1993...
- 1994 12th Asian Games1994 Asian GamesThe 1994 Asian Games also known as XII Asiad were held from October 2 to October 16, 1994 in Hiroshima, Japan. The main theme of this edition was to promote peace and harmony among Asian nations. It was emphasized by the host because the venue was the site of the first atomic bomb attack in...
, HiroshimaHiroshimais the capital of Hiroshima Prefecture, and the largest city in the Chūgoku region of western Honshu, the largest island of Japan. It became best known as the first city in history to be destroyed by a nuclear weapon when the United States Army Air Forces dropped an atomic bomb on it at 8:15 A.M... - 1998 Dynasty Cup, TokyoTokyo, ; officially , is one of the 47 prefectures of Japan. Tokyo is the capital of Japan, the center of the Greater Tokyo Area, and the largest metropolitan area of Japan. It is the seat of the Japanese government and the Imperial Palace, and the home of the Japanese Imperial Family...
& YokohamaYokohamais the capital city of Kanagawa Prefecture and the second largest city in Japan by population after Tokyo and most populous municipality of Japan. It lies on Tokyo Bay, south of Tokyo, in the Kantō region of the main island of Honshu...
http://www.rsssf.com/tablesd/dynastycup.html - 2001 FIFA Confederations Cup2001 FIFA Confederations Cup-Group B:---------------------Knockout stage:-Semi-finals:-----Third place play-off:-Final:-Awards:-Top scorers:2 goals Shaun Murphy Éric Carrière Robert Pirès Patrick Vieira Sylvain Wiltord Takayuki Suzuki Hwang Sun-Hong...
(joint with South Korea) - 2002 FIFA World Cup2002 FIFA World CupThe 2002 FIFA World Cup was the 17th staging of the FIFA World Cup, held in South Korea and Japan from 31 May to 30 June. It was also the first World Cup held in Asia, and the last in which the golden goal rule was implemented. Brazil won the tournament for a record fifth time, beating Germany 2–0...
(joint with South Korea) - Intercontinental Cup / Toyota European/South American CupIntercontinental Cup (football)The European/South American Cup, commonly referred to as the World Club Championship, Intercontinental Cup or Toyota Cup, was a football competition endorsed by UEFA and CONMEBOL, contested between the winners of the European Cup and the South American Copa Libertadores...
(1981–2004)
Notable Japanese footballers
- Kunishige KamamotoKunishige KamamotoKunishige Kamamoto is a former association football player from Japan, who won the bronze medal with the Japan national team at the 1968 Summer Olympics in Mexico City, Mexico, finishing as the tournament's top scorer with seven goals...
(1944 - ), Top scorer in 1968 Summer Olympics1968 Summer OlympicsThe 1968 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XIX Olympiad, were an international multi-sport event held in Mexico City, Mexico in October 1968. The 1968 Games were the first Olympic Games hosted by a developing country, and the first Games hosted by a Spanish-speaking country...
. - Yasuhiko OkuderaYasuhiko Okuderais a former Japanese footballer who is currently the president of J. League Division 2 club Yokohama FC and was formerly the president of English club Plymouth Argyle. Okudera was the first Japanese footballer to play professionally in Europe, as well as being the first Asian football player to...
(1952 - ), The first Japanese player in the European League (BundesligaFußball-BundesligaThe Fußball-Bundesliga is a professional association football league in Germany. At the top of Germany's football league system, it is the country's primary football competition. It is contested by 18 teams and operates on a system of promotion and relegation with the 2. Bundesliga...
). - Kazuyoshi MiuraKazuyoshi Miura----Kazuyoshi Miura , often known simply as Kazu, is a Japanese football striker. He has played for the Japanese national team and was the first Japanese recipient of the Asian Player of the Year award in 1993, an award presented annually by the Asian Football Confederation. He is currently with...
(1967 - ), Asian Footballer of the YearAsian Footballer of the YearThe Asian Footballer of the Year is an award that annually honors Asian footballer each year, has been conferred by Asian Football Confederation since 1994...
in 1993. - Masami Ihara (1967 - ), Most capped (122) player and Asian Footballer of the Year in 1995.
- Hidetoshi NakataHidetoshi Nakata, is a retired Japanese football player. He was one of the most famous Asian footballers of his generation.Nakata began his professional career in 1995 and won the Asian Football Confederation Player of the Year award in 1997 and 1998, the Scudetto with A.S...
(1977 - ), Asian Footballer of the Year in 1997 and 1998 - Shunsuke NakamuraShunsuke Nakamurais a Japanese footballer who currently plays for Yokohama F. Marinos in J. League Division 1. He is one of the most prominent and successful Asian players to have played in Scotland and on 13 September 2006 became the first Japanese player to score in the UEFA Champions League and the second Asian...
(1978 - ), Scottish Professional Footballers' Association Player of the YearScottish PFA Players' Player of the YearThe Scottish Professional Footballers' Association Players' Player of the Year is an annual award given to the player who is adjudged to have been the best of the season in Scottish football...
in 2007. - Shinji OnoShinji Onois a Japanese football player, who plays as a midfielder for Shimizu S-Pulse in Japan.Known as Tensai, Japanese for "Genius", from his youth days, Ono is one of the biggest stars in Asian football, known for his vision, technique and superb passing...
(1979 - ), Asian Footballer of the Year in 2002.
See also :Category:Japanese footballers.
National team achievements
- 1968 Mexico Olympic Games1968 Summer OlympicsThe 1968 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XIX Olympiad, were an international multi-sport event held in Mexico City, Mexico in October 1968. The 1968 Games were the first Olympic Games hosted by a developing country, and the first Games hosted by a Spanish-speaking country...
- Bronze Medal - 1992 2nd Dynasty Cup 1992 - Champion
- 1992 10th Asian Cup1992 AFC Asian CupThe Asian Football Confederation's 1992 AFC Asian Cup finals were held in Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan between October 29 and November 8. The host nation, Japan, defeated the defending champion Saudi Arabia in the final in Hiroshima.-Stadiums:...
- Champion - 1993 5th Afro-Asian Nations Cup - Champion
- 1995 3rd Dynasty Cup - Champion
- 1998 4th Dynasty Cup - Champion
- 1999 FIFA World Youth Championship1999 FIFA World Youth ChampionshipThe 1999 FIFA World Youth Championship took place in Nigeria between April 3 and April 24, 1999. The 1999 championship was the 12th contested.- Qualification :The following 24 teams qualified for the 1999 FIFA World Youth Championship.-Squads:...
- Silver Medal - 2000 12th Asian Cup2000 AFC Asian CupThe Asian Football Confederation's 2000 AFC Asian Cup finals were held in Lebanon between October 12 and October 29. Japan defeated defending champion Saudi Arabia in the final match in Beirut.-Qualification:...
- Champion - 2001 FIFA Confederations Cup2001 FIFA Confederations Cup-Group B:---------------------Knockout stage:-Semi-finals:-----Third place play-off:-Final:-Awards:-Top scorers:2 goals Shaun Murphy Éric Carrière Robert Pirès Patrick Vieira Sylvain Wiltord Takayuki Suzuki Hwang Sun-Hong...
- Silver Medal - 2002 FIFA World Cup2002 FIFA World CupThe 2002 FIFA World Cup was the 17th staging of the FIFA World Cup, held in South Korea and Japan from 31 May to 30 June. It was also the first World Cup held in Asia, and the last in which the golden goal rule was implemented. Brazil won the tournament for a record fifth time, beating Germany 2–0...
- Round of 16 - 2004 13th Asian Cup2004 AFC Asian CupThe 2004 AFC Asian Cup football competition is the thirteenth staging of AFC Asian Cup. It was held from July 17 to August 7, 2004 in China. The defending champions Japan defeated China in the final in Beijing....
- Champion - 2010 FIFA World Cup2010 FIFA World CupThe 2010 FIFA World Cup was the 19th FIFA World Cup, the world championship for men's national association football teams. It took place in South Africa from 11 June to 11 July 2010...
- Round of 16 - 2011 15th Asian Cup2011 AFC Asian CupThe 2011 AFC Asian Cup finals were held in Qatar on 7–29 January 2011. It was the fifteenth time the tournament has been held, and the second time it has been hosted by Qatar, the other being the 1988 AFC Asian Cup...
- Champion
Seasons in Japanese association football
| 1920s: | 1921 | 1922 | 1923 1923 in Japanese football -National team:-Players statistics:... |
1924 | 1925 1925 in Japanese football -National team:-Players statistics:... |
1926 | 1927 1927 in Japanese football -National team:-Players statistics:... |
1928 | 1929 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1930s: | 1930 1930 in Japanese football -National team:-Players statistics:... |
1931 | 1932 | 1933 | 1934 1934 in Japanese football -National team:-Players statistics:... |
1935 | 1936 1936 in Japanese football -National team:-Players statistics:... |
1937 | 1938 | 1939 |
| 1940s: | 1940 1940 in Japanese football -National team:-Players statistics:... |
1941 | 1942 | 1943 | 1944 | 1945 | 1946 | 1947 | 1948 | 1949 |
| 1950s: | 1950 | 1951 1951 in Japanese football -National team:-Players statistics:... |
1952 | 1953 | 1954 1954 in Japanese football -National team:-Players statistics:... |
1955 1955 in Japanese football -National team:-Players statistics:... |
1956 1956 in Japanese football -National team:-Players statistics:... |
1957 | 1958 1958 in Japanese football -National team:-Players statistics:... |
1959 1959 in Japanese football -National team:-Players statistics:... |
| 1960s: | 1960 1960 in Japanese football -National team:-Players statistics:... |
1961 1961 in Japanese football -National team:-Players statistics:... |
1962 1962 in Japanese football -National team:-Players statistics:... |
1963 1963 in Japanese football -National team:-Players statistics:... |
1964 1964 in Japanese football -National team:-Players statistics:... |
1965 1965 in Japanese football -National team:-Players statistics:... |
1966 1966 in Japanese football -National team:-Players statistics:... |
1967 1967 in Japanese football -National team:-Players statistics:... |
1968 1968 in Japanese football -National team:-Players statistics:... |
1969 1969 in Japanese football -National team:-Players statistics:... |
| 1970s: | 1970 1970 in Japanese football -National team:-Players statistics:... |
1971 1971 in Japanese football -National team:-Players statistics:... |
1972 1972 in Japanese football -National team:-Players statistics:... |
1973 1973 in Japanese football -National team:-Players statistics:... |
1974 1974 in Japanese football -National team:-Players statistics:... |
1975 1975 in Japanese football -National team:-Players statistics:... |
1976 1976 in Japanese football -National team:-Players statistics:... |
1977 1977 in Japanese football -National team:-Players statistics:... |
1978 1978 in Japanese football -National team:-Players statistics:... |
1979 1979 in Japanese football -National team:-Players statistics:... |
| 1980s: | 1980 1980 in Japanese football -National team:-Players statistics:... |
1981 1981 in Japanese football -National team:-Players statistics:... |
1982 1982 in Japanese football -National team:-Players statistics:... |
1983 1983 in Japanese football -National team:-Players statistics:... |
1984 1984 in Japanese football -National team:-Players statistics:... |
1985 1985 in Japanese football -National team:-Players statistics:... |
1986 1986 in Japanese football -National team:-Players statistics:... |
1987 1987 in Japanese football -National team:-Players statistics:... |
1988 1988 in Japanese football -National team:-Players statistics:... |
1989 1989 in Japanese football -National team:-Players statistics:... |
| 1990s: | 1990 1990 in Japanese football -National team:-Players statistics:... |
1991 1991 in Japanese football -National team:-Players statistics:... |
1992 1992 in Japanese football -National team:-Players statistics:... |
1993 1993 in Japanese football -National team:-Players statistics:... |
1994 1994 in Japanese football -National team:-Players statistics:... |
1995 1995 in Japanese football -National team:-Players statistics:... |
1996 1996 in Japanese football -National team:-Players statistics:... |
1997 1997 in Japanese football -National team:-Players statistics:... |
1998 1998 in Japanese football -National team:-Players statistics:... |
1999 1999 in Japanese football -National team:-Players statistics:... |
| 2000s: | 2000 2000 in Japanese football -National team:-Players statistics:... |
2001 2001 in Japanese football -National team:-Players statistics:... |
2002 2002 in Japanese football -National team:-Players statistics:... |
2003 2003 in Japanese football -National team:-Players statistics:... |
2004 2004 in Japanese football -National team:-Players statistics:... |
2005 2005 in Japanese football -National team:-Players statistics:... |
2006 2006 in Japanese football -National team:-Players statistics:... |
2007 2007 in Japanese football -National team:-Players statistics:... |
2008 2008 in Japanese football -National team:-Players statistics:... |
2009 2009 in Japanese football -National team:-Players statistics:... |
| 2010s: | 2010 2010 in Japanese football -National team:-Players statistics:... |
2011 2011 in Japanese football -National team:-Players statistics:... |
2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 |
See also
- J. LeagueJ. LeagueThe or is the top division of and is the top professional association football league in Japan. It is one of the most successful leagues in Asian club football and the only league given top class 'A' ranking by the AFC. Currently, J. League Division 1 is the first level of the Japanese...
- List of football clubs in Japan
- Japan national football teamJapan national football teamThe Japan national football team represents Japan in association football and is operated by the Japan Football Association, the governing body for association football in Japan...
- Japanese football league systemJapanese football league systemThe Japanese association football league system is organized in a pyramidal shape similar to football league systems in many other countries around the world...
- Japanese football championsJapanese football championsThe Japanese football champions are the winners of the top league in Japan, the Japan Soccer League from 1965 to 1992 and the J. League since then....
- Sport in JapanSport in JapanSports in Japan are a significant part of Japanese culture. Both traditional sports such as sumo and martial arts, and Western imports like baseball and association football, are popular with both participants and spectators....
External links
- Japan Football Association (English version)
- FOOTBALL-1 International Football Business Exhibition (English version)
- Hongo, Jun, "SOCCER IN JAPAN: Japan team has foot in World Cup door but can it kick?", Japan Times, February 9, 2010, p. 3.