Japan Football Association

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Japan Football Association

AFC
Founded	1921
FIFA affiliation	1929
AFC affiliation	1954
President	Motoaki Inukai

The Japan Football Association (日本サッカー協会, Nippon 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-Nippon 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. Yatagarasu is also the messenger of the supreme Shinto sun goddess Amaterasu^[1].

Football 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 2006 FIFA World Cup.

Sponsorship

Japan has one of the highest sponsorship incomes for a national squad. In 2006 their sponsorship income amounted to over 16.5 million pounds Primary sponsors include Kirin, Adidas, Sony, Saison Card International, FamilyMart, Fujifilm, JAL, and Nissan. ^[2].

Competitions run by the JFA

• Emperor's Cup
• All Japan Senior Football Championship
• All Japan Women's Football Championship
• All Japan High School Soccer Tournament
• All Japan Regional Football Promotion League Series

See also

• Sports in Japan
• Football in Japan
• Japan national football team
• Japan women's national football team
• J. League
• Japan Football League
• Japan international footballers

References

External links

• Japan Football Association Official Site
• The JFA at AFC Online
• The JFA at FIFA Online

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