Japan Football Association
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| Founded | 1921 |
| FIFA affiliation | 1929 |
| AFC affiliation | 1954 |
| President Saburo Kawabuchi |
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The Japan Football Association (日本サッカー協会 Nihon Sakkā Kyōkai?), also known as the JFA, is the governing body responsible for the administration of football in Japan. It is responsible for the national team as well as club competitions.
The organisation was founded in 1921 as the Greater Japan Football Association (大日本蹴球協会 Dai-Nihon Shūkyū Kyōkai?), and became affiliated with FIFA in 1929. 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.
The symbol of the JFA is the Yatagarasu, a mythical three-legged raven that guided Emperor Jimmu to Mount Kumano. The bird is the messenger of the supreme Shinto sun goddess Amaterasu.
Soccer in Japan is one of the most popular sports. After the very successful Asia cup, beating China 3-1 in the final, Japan beat Iran 2-1 and qualified for the World Cup 2006. Currently the Japanese Football Team is in the first group for the Asian Cup.
See also
- Football in Japan
- Japan national football team
- Japan women's national football team
- J-League
- Japan Football League
- List of 2006-07 Japanese players in Europe
- Japan Futsal Federation
External links
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