【Message from the Chairman Maya Yoshida (Los Angeles Galaxy)】

Since the first opening whistle of the J.League had echoed, we have seen many professional soccer clubs being born throughout Japan, and the environment surrounding us professional soccer players has changed dramatically.

All the support given to us from soccer community today that enables us to focus on our own career has been created based on the enormous dedication by our seniors, who have proactively worked to create the sustainable system in Japan for the upcoming generation who dreams and believes in the power of soccer.

With the declining birthrate and competition from other professional sports in recent years, we, the players, need to discuss what we can and should do for the soccer community in Japan to develop and continue to be a place full of dreams and hope for children.

To this end, I would like to share my own experiences in the J.League, Europe, and the Japan national team with the entire Japanese soccer community, and together with all the board members and players, contribute to the future of attractive Japanese soccer.

We more than appreciate and look forward to your continued understanding and cooperation in our activities.

【Message from the Secretary General Junichi Takano】

Our Association was founded in 1996 first as a voluntary organization called the J.League Pro-Footballers Association, and now we operate as a general incorporated association and a labor union Japan Pro-Footballers Association.

During this time, so many has changed and evolved in domestic soccer community, with an increasing number of players playing overseas and the establishment of the Japan Women’s Empowerment Professional Football League (WE LEAGUE).

We will strive to contribute to the development of soccer community in Japan, aiming to support career of the players to make all the people involved truly happy, and to sustain the environment for children who dream to be players.

We hope that this website will help to convey our activities and the passion to all supporters.

Thank you for your continued warm support.

【About Us】

Our organization's members are professional soccer players (including some foreign players) who belong to soccer clubs in Japan and Japanese professional soccer players who belong to clubs overseas.

We first started our activity in April 1996 as J.League Pro-Footballers Association, established by the suggestion of Mr. Saburo Kawabuchi (the then Chairman of J.League), as an organization to act and raise voice from the perspective of professional soccer players.

Later, in November 2010, the name was changed to Japan Pro-Footballers Association, and it was reborn as an organization representing professional soccer players in Japan, including not only Japanese players who are playing in the J.League but also players who belong to overseas professional soccer clubs.

In addition to addressing issues related to the further empowerment of professional players, the organization is also actively involved in social contribution activities such as coaching clinic for children and various charity activities throughout Japan.

【Our Principle】

To contribute to the dissemination and promotion of a rich soccer culture as top players in Japan, and to improve the social and economic status of professional players based on a spirit of mutual support.

Spread and promote soccer culture

Contribute to the Society

Improve the working environment of the players

Interact with domestic and international soccer-related organizations

Raise awareness of the importance and manners of Meet and Greet