Football in Japan

Authored by : Aulia Maqfira I 8 February 2021

Football, or called sakkaa in Japanese are the second most famous sports in Japan, just behind baseball. At first football in Japan are introduced from United Kingdom by commander Archibald Lucius Douglas in 1873. They teach football game to Japanese marine cadet whilst becoming instructor at Japanese naval academy. The first official Football match in Japan are conducted at 18 February 1888, a match between Yokohama Country against Athletic club and Kobe Regatta against Athletic Club.

The first Japanese national football league, Japan Soccer League formed in 1965 which consisted of amateur football club. In year 1993, Japan Professional Football League or known as J. League formed to replace Japan Soccer League which are semi-professional football league. Currently J League have 3 football division, J1 League, J2 League and J3 League which in total have 54 Team. Japanese football league are one of the most successful football league in Asia. In total 7 titles have been won by J League team in the highest Asian footballing competition AFC Champions League.

Japanese national football team also one of the best national football team in Asia. The samurai blue, Japanese national football team nickname, have won Asian Cup 4 times and also reaching round of 16 of FIFA World Cup. Football in japan are really popular and only lost to baseball in term of popularity. It’s because of the system of Japanese football league and because Japan are one of the best national team in Asia. Indonesian can learn from the enthusiasm and well-run Japanese football league system. Compared to Indonesia, Japanese football league system are better run, infrastructurely, the league system and also youth system.