J.LEAGUE and J.Clubs are engaging in exchanges with countries around the world, particularly in Asia.

About half of J.LEAGUE’s clubs have engaged in international exchanges with countries around the world with a focus on Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) countries, and expanded their business opportunities. These exchange activities include exchanges between Academy-age players and coaches, as well as partnerships with local corporations, partnerships between clubs, and inbound and outbound measures.

1. Jan

   • ・Launched overseas ticket sales for FUJIFILM SUPER CUP 2023. Resumed efforts to attract inbound demand.
   • ・J.Clubs resumed overseas camps. Cerezo Osaka held a camp in Thailand and Sanfrecce Hiroshima held a camp in Turkey.
   • ・Tokyo Verdy renewed contact with Indonesian national player, Pratama Arhan
   • ・Vietnamese national player Nguyen Cong Phuong from Yokohama FC, joined the team.
   • ・J.LEAGUE’s first Israeli player—Neta Lavi, who is also on the Israeli national team, joined Gamba Osaka.
   • ・Hong Kong player Au Chung moved from Y.S.C.C. Yokohama to Iwate Grulla Morioka.

   

   Arhan

   

   Neta Lavi

   

   Au Chung

2. Feb

   • ・Overseas broadcast of FUJIFILM SUPER CUP 2023.
     International edition of J.LEAGUE’s YouTube channel launched livestreaming worldwide (excluding Japan and Australia).
   • ・Launched overseas broadcast of the opening of the 2023 MEIJI YASUDA J.LEAGUE. Started livestreaming, with play-by-play commentary in English, for four games of each section of the 2023 MEIJI YASUDA J1 LEAGUE to audiences across the world on the international edition of J.LEAGUE’s YouTube channel (excluding Japan and other broadcasting rights sales regions), making it possible to view League games worldwide.
   • ・In conjunction with the opening, members of the press from Indonesia, Australia, and Thailand came to Japan to cover the J.LEAGUE opening games in various parts of Japan.
   • ・Cerezo Osaka
     The Academy hosted coaches for training from Asiana Soccer School in Indonesia, and one female player from the Indonesian national team joined Cerezo Osaka Sakai Ladies (now Cerezo Osaka YANMAR LADIES) as a trainee from February.
     Two Thai players from BG Pathum United F.C. (Thailand) participated as trainees.
   • ・Staff from J.LEAGUE’s Global Business Department participated in “Sportel,” a sports broadcasting conference held in Indonesia.
   • ・Launched the Thai language edition of J.LEAGUE’s official Instagram account.

   

   Overseas broadcast of FUJIFILM SUPER CUP 2023

3. Mar

   • ・The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) hosted a workshop on the utilisation of sports facilities for government officials in Laos, which J.LEAGUE and Omiya Ardija participated in.
   • ・The Academy teams of Jubilo Iwata and Kataller Toyama partook in HAGL ENEOS Cup 2023, a Vietnam-Japan children’s football festival for under-13s held in Vietnam.
   • ・In February, the youth team of Chonburi FC in Thailand, which is in partnership with Gamba Osaka, visited Japan in February and held a training match with Gamba Osaka Youth.

   

   HAGL ENEOS Cup 2023

4. Apr

   • ・Four elite players from the J.LEAGUE Youth Challenge in Thailand (participated in by under-16s/16 powerhouse football schools in Thailand), first held by J.LEAGUE in 2022, visited Japan.
     They partook in training with Kawasaki Frontale’s Academy team and watched a game between Kawasaki Frontale and Urawa Reds. After the game, they also received enthusiastic advice from Thai national player and Kawasaki Frontale player, Chanathip.
   • ・Shonan Bellmare, in partnership with the prestigious ASIOP Football Academy in Indonesia, opened a football school in Jakarta.
   • ・Cerezo Osaka YANMAR LADIES held a training match with Vietnam women’s national team players. Indonesia national player, Zahra Muzdalifah, who had joined YANMAR LADIES as a trainee, also played in the training match.
   • ・Thai national player and Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo player, Supachok, scored his first goal since coming to Japan.
     He scored two goals, including his first since coming to Japan, in the Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo vs. Sagan Tosu game in the fourth section of the group stage for the J.LEAGUE YBC Levain CUP, leading his team to victory.
   • ・Players from Police Tero FC, a team in Thai League 1 and a partner of Shimizu S-Pulse, participated in training with Shimizu S-Pulse Youth.

   

   Supachok

   

   Supachok

5. May

   • ・In conjunction with J.LEAGUE’s 30th anniversary, the overseas initiatives of J.LEAGUE and J.Clubs were covered on NHK’s “Ohayo Nippon” on May 16.
   • ・Held public viewings in Jakarta, Indonesia for the 30th anniversary special match. A total of 180 people participated over two days.
   • ・Tokushima Vortis accepts trainees from RANS Nusantara FC in Indonesia. In conjunction with the visit to Japan by owner and actor Raffi Ahmad (who has more than 70 million followers on Instagram), a game observation and exchange of opinions with J.LEAGUE and J.Clubs on club management were held.
   • ・Shonan Bellmare held a football class in Jakarta, Indonesia. Tsuyoshi SHIMAMURA, a Shonan Bellmare alumnus, also participated in the class.
   • ・Urawa Reds accepted trainees from Muangthong United F.C. (Thailand), which it has signed a partnership agreement with. The trainees participated in training with Urawa’s top team for 11 days.
   • ・Avispa Fukuoka signed a partnership agreement with Port. F.C. (Thailand) aimed at human resource development and creating new businesses between Thailand and Japan.

   

   Public viewing in Jakarta, Indonesia

   

   Signing of partnership agreement between Avispa Fukuoka and Port F.C.

   

   

   Shonan Bellmare’s football class in Jakarta, Indonesia

6. Jun

   • ・Expanded the adoption of overseas ticketing system by J.Clubs. Adoption of system by Yokohama F. Marinos and F.C. Tokyo.
   • ・At ASEAN-Japan Business Week 2023, an event co-hosted by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry of Japan alongside the relevant organizations in Japan and ASEAN, speeches were presented by representatives from J.LEAGUE, YANMAR HOLDINGS CO., LTD., and others, and a discussion was held on cooperation between ASEAN and Japan through sports and sports business.
   • ・Shonan Bellmare held the 2023 COPA BELLMARE U-11 PILOT INTERNATIONAL TOURNAMENT at the Banyu Fureai Park Soccer Field in its home town of Hiratsuka City. 24 teams from Japan and abroad participated in the tournament, held over two days. Overseas teams that participated came from Germany, Indonesia, Cambodia, Thailand, China and the Republic of Korea.
   • ・150 students and their parents/guardians from ASIOP Football Academy in Indonesia, which is in partnership with Shonan Bellmare, visited Japan. Various Japanese football experience programmes were held, including game observations and participation in coaching clinics. Members from the senior management of ASIOP Football Academy also visited J.LEAGUE and engaged in an exchange of opinions on player development methods and other topics.
   • ・Cerezo Osaka signed a partnership agreement with Asiana Soccer School in Jakarta, Indonesia, aimed at enhancing academy activities to raise the level of Asian football as a player development-oriented club.
   • ・Thai national player Chanathip, who had played for Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo and Kawasaki Frontale, transferred to BG Pathum United F.C. in Thailand.
     At the ceremony held at his old stamping ground of the game venue in Sapporo the day before he left Japan, and at the farewell event hosted by supporters in Kawasaki City the following day, Chanathip expressed his gratitude and bade farewell to many fans.
   • ・Former Spanish national player, Andrés Iniesta, left Vissel Kobe after five years with the club.
     His final game on July 1 was watched by approximately 28,000 spectators, the largest number in the club’s history. The international edition of J.LEAGUE’s official YouTube channel also recorded about 94,000 views for the game. J.LEAGUE Chairman Yoshikazu NONOMURA was also present at the game venue. At the ceremony held after the game, Iniesta gave a tearful speech to his supporters.

   

   Cerezo Osaka signs a partnership agreement with Asiana Soccer School

   

   ANDRES INIESTA Lujan

7. Jul

   • ・Manager Masatada ISHII of Buriram United FC achieved the “triple crown” with victories in League competition, Cup competition, and League Cup competition for two years running in 2022 and 2023. He received a special commendation from the Ambassador of Japan to Thailand for his remarkable achievements.
   • ・The MEIJI YASUDA J.LEAGUE WORLD CHALLENGE 2023 powered by docomo (Yokohama F･Marinos vs. Manchester City) on July 23 and Audi Football Summit powered by docomo (Manchester City vs. FC Bayern München) on July 26 were both held at the Japan National Stadium. The latter match achieved a record high in attendance (65,049 people) among games held by J.LEAGUE.
   • ・Indonesia women’s national player, Zahra Muzdalifah, transferred from South Shields FC in National League North (English football) to join Cerezo Osaka YANMAR LADIES.
   • ・Thai women’s national player, Taneerkarn Dangda transferred from Bangkok, Thailand to join AC Nagano Parceiro Ladies.
     Taneerkarn’s older brother is Thai national player, Teerasil, who previously played for Sanfrecce Hiroshima and Shimizu S-Pulse.
   • ・Thai national player, Ekanit Panya, transferred from Muangthong United F.C. (Thailand) to Urawa Reds on a limited-time loan.
   • ・Kawasaki Frontale hosted a Vietnamese football school students’ trip to Japan as a part of commemorative projects for the 50th Anniversary of the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations between Japan and Vietnam. The students attended football school, observed games, went on stadium tours and took commemorative pictures with players, and visited partner companies, among other activities.
   • ・JINTAN U-14 ASEAN DREAM Football Tournament was held in Bangkok, Thailand.
     Junior youth teams from Gamba Osaka and Albirex Niigata participated in the tournament, with Gamba Osaka finishing second. Albirex Niigata also toured the Thai factory of its sponsor company.
   • ・Tokushima Vortis Academy’s U-14 team, with the cooperation of Angkor Tiger FC (Cambodia), visited Siem Reap Province in Cambodia. In addition to holding an international friendly match, a football clinic by the Academy’s coach as well as a conditioning programme were held. The players participated in local market research as a part of the mission education programme of Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., the team’s sponsor company, among other activities.

   

   MEIJI YASUDA J.LEAGUE WORLD CHALLENGE 2023 powered by docomo

   

   Audi Football Summit powered by docomo

   

   Ekanit Panya

   

   Tokushima Vortis visited Cambodia

8. Aug

   • ・Thai national player, Ekanit Panya, joined Urawa Reds, and the press conference was held on August 29.
   • ・Former French national player, Bafétimbi Gomis, joined Kawasaki Frontale, and the press conference was held on August 19.
   • ・Overseas expedition for Kashima Antlers Academy
     The youth team participated in the youth tournament (Bali, Indonesia)
     
     The junior youth team participated in the Grand Canal City Soccer Elite Invitational Tournament in Yangzhou, China
     
     Friendship Cup Brazil-Japan (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil)
     
     U-12 team embarked on expedition to Republic of Korea
   • ・Cerezo Osaka Academy’s U-16 team participated in Future Star Cup 2023 (Shanghai, China) (August 27 – September 4)
   • ・Urawa Reds, with its partner club Muangthong United F.C. (Thailand), participated in the Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Diamond Cup U-14 (Bangkok, Thailand) (July 31 – August 7)
   • ・Tokyo Verdy held football clinics in Jakarta and Bali, Indonesia (August 24 – 29)
   • ・FC Machida Zelvia Academy’s U-14 team participated in the SAT 3 & VISA. International Youth Football Tournament 2023 (Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand) (July 31 – August 7)
   • ・Kawasaki Frontale held the “Dakishime Thai” event at the home game on August 26 for the second year running, with cooperation from the Royal Thai Embassy.

   

   Bafétimbi Gomis

   

   Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Diamond Cup U-14

9. Sep

   • ・・ Start of AFC Champions League 2023/2024 Group Stage
     Four clubs from Japan participated: Urawa Reds, Kawasaki Frontale, Yokohama F･Marinos, and Ventforet Kofu.
   • ・Launched the Bahasa Indonesia edition of J.LEAGUE’s official Instagram account in response to many requests from J.LEAGUE fans in Indonesia!
   • ・Thai sports media outlet, SIAMSPORT, as well as influencers from Thailand, watched the game of Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo. At the same game, Thai player Supachok scored two goals.

   

   Urawa Reds

   

   Kawasaki Frontale

   

   Yokohama F･Marinos

   

   Ventforet Kofu

10. Oct

    • ・J.LEAGUE invited four elite U-17 players recommended by the Vietnam Football Federation to J.Club Academies.
      The players were split among Mito Hollyhock, Yokohama FC, and Jubilo Iwata, and participated in training in the Academies.
    • ・Ekanit Panya, who transferred from Muangthong United (Thailand) to Urawa Reds in July on a limited-time loan, played his first match and scored his first goal on October 4 against Hanoi FC (Vietnam) in the ACL Group Stage.
    • ・Shonan Bellmare signed a partnership agreement with Malaysian national football academy, AMD (Akademi Bola Sepak Negara Mokhtar Dahari).
      
      The U-14 team of Shonan Bellmare’s Academy was invited to participate in the SuperMokh Cup 2023 held in the same country. They played against teams from Malaysia, Thailand, Croatia, and other countries, and finished third in the tournament.
    • ・Ventforet Kofu held a football clinic in Indonesia, and at the same time, created an opportunity to engage in exchange with the club’s stakeholders.
    • ・Cerezo Osaka Academy’s U-14 team travelled to Indonesia to participate in the ASIANA CUP. They also held a football class with the local subsidiary of YANMAR.
    • ・Kawasaki Frontale held a football clinic in Thailand. They also gave away gifts of uniforms signed by players who were on tour in Thailand for the ACL.

    

    U-17 players visited Japan

    

    Shonan Bellmare signed a partnership agreement with Malaysian national football academy

11. Nov

    • ・Yokohama FM U14 team played away games in Thailand

12. Dec

    • ・Dec 9 (Sat) Thai Life Insurance J.LEAGUE ASIA CHALLENGE 2023/24 powered by MEIJI YASUDA The Muangthong United vs. Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo was held at the Thunderdome Stadium. Midfielder Supachok Sarachat, who plays for Consadole and is also a member of the Thai national team was named the MVP of the match. (In February 2024, the BG Pathum United vs. Cerezo Osaka was also held.)

    

    

    

    

    Thai Life Insurance J.LEAGUE ASIA CHALLENGE 2023/24 powered by MEIJI YASUDA

    • ・Kawasaki Frontale held a football clinic in Sriracha, Thailand.
    • ・Cerezo Osaka held a football class by Shinji KAGAWA.
    • ・Avispa Fukuoka held a Charity Football Match with FC Shakhtar Donetsk to support reconstruction in Ukraine.
    • ・Kataller Toyama participate in the 5th International U13 Youth Football Tournament Vietnam-Japan.
    • ・Fagiano Okayama held a football class in three cities in Malaysia, following on from 2019 and 2022.
    • ・Mito Hollyhock concluded a comprehensive partnership agreement with Song Lam Nghe An FC of Vietnam.