The Japan Football Association (JFA, Japanese: 日本サッカー協会, romanized: Nihon Sakkā Kyōkai, lit. 'Japan Soccer Association') is the governing body responsible for the administration of football, futsal, beach soccer, and efootball in Japan. It is responsible for the national team, as well as club competitions.
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History
The organization 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 organization 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 association generally translates its name to "Japan Football Association" in English, though "Japan Soccer Association" is also used.
Identity
Symbol
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. JFA first adopted the Yatagarasu as a symbol in 1931, however it wasn't used on the uniform until 1988.
Colors
The Japan national football team has historically been identified with the colors blue and white, as opposed to the white and red of the Flag of Japan. Prior to 1930, the best ranked university team of the year would represent Japan, and wear their school's own uniform. In 1930, JFA first formed an independent national squad, selecting the best players from across the country, and the players chose Imperial University's color of light blue for their first uniform. They did attempt to switch to a red and white colorway in 1989, failed to qualify for the FIFA World Cup, and switched back to blue in 1992.
The reasoning has since been retconned into the historical association of indigo dye with ancient samurai warriors in their clothing for battle, however the primary reason is that it was simply convenient to use the existing uniform early players already had when they were first getting started, and a superstitious explanation for their poor performance when they switched once it was established resulted in a return to the original colorway.
Anthem
In 1994, the JFA asked Ryuichi Sakamoto to compose the instrumental song - "Japanese Soccer Anthem". There is an arrangement version by Yasuhide Ito. This anthem is played at the beginning of JFA-sponsored events, such as the Emperor's Cup matches and as a prelude to kickoff at stadiums.
Members
The following is a list of presidents of Japan Football Association (JFA). The Honorary President is Her Imperial Highness Princess Takamado.
Last updated: 6 March 2022
Management
JFA Academy Fukushima
JFA Academy Sakai
JFA Academy Imabari
JFA Academy Kumamoto Uki
Sponsorship
Last updated: 15 August 2024
National teams
List of international matches
League system
Japanese clubs' placements at each league may determine the JFA-organized competition the club will participate in, or if they will be qualified to one at all.
Men
As of the 2025 season, all clubs in the top two tiers (J1 and J2) enter the Emperor's Cup directly, with the clubs below it having to qualify through prefectural tournaments.
Women
As of 2024–25 season, all clubs in the top two tiers enter the Empress's Cup directly, with the clubs below having to qualify through regional tournaments. The top-tier clubs also qualify to the WE League Cup.
Competitions
Only includes tournaments organized by the JFA.