Japan’s National Team Practice Gains 6.3 Million Support, Kurafan Project by Miyamoto Faces Criticism

For the first time in history, Japan’s national team played at the National Stadium on New Year’s Day, beating Thailand 5-0. It was an auspicious start to 2024, and the 61,916 spectators at the stadium must have been very satisfied with the result.

Two days earlier, on December 30, a different scene was seen at the national team’s training session. A large number of spectators from the general public had come to observe the training session at the Prince Takamado Memorial JFA Yume Field in Chiba City. During open training sessions, many fans visit the field to watch the training sessions free of charge. The players looked happy as they were cheered on during the red-and-white game and shooting practice, just like in a game.

Among the general public who observed the practice, there was a group that was invited to the facility. Some of them watched the practice sessions from a special stand by the pitch, and some from the terrace of the clubhouse. This was part of the JFA Crowd Funding program announced by the Japan Football Association (JFA) last December, and as a return to those who supported the project, they were invited to areas of the facility that are normally closed to the general public.

According to the JFA, 85 people supported 20,000 yen, 6 people supported 100,000 yen, and 20 people supported 200,000 yen. These supporters were allowed a special tour of the facility. The total amount of support from the supporters who were allowed inside the practice facility that day was roughly 6.3 million yen in simple arithmetic.

It is not easy to speak directly to players alone, not only at games but also at practice, so it is understandable that supporters were happy to support the JFA by providing money to ensure that they would receive autographs and photo opportunities from the players. Needless to say, the players were happy to see the happy faces of their supporters. However, as they watched the direct communication such as autographs and high-fives as a return (i.e., for a fee), there were murmurs among the press, questioning if this was any different from a host club or resembling male entertainers.

At a press conference held last December, it was announced that, in addition to the JFA drafting the project and inviting numerous individuals and organizations for support, the JFA would also establish a crowdfunding platform accessible to regional associations, related organizations, players, instructors, referees, and individuals nationwide. The aim is to reach a total support amount of 1 billion yen and 350 draft proposals within one year by the end of 2024.

Tsuneyasu Miyamoto, JFA managing director, who is scheduled to become JFA president next April, emphasized at a press conference last December that “The JFA has created this site, but local soccer associations can also propose projects, such as raising funds for expedition expenses, and through this mutual aid system, they can support soccer families suffering from a lack of funds. The JFA is a system that allows for mutual assistance,” he emphasized. However, the press asked tough questions about the JFA, which is at the pinnacle of the Japanese soccer world, and the announcement was not entirely positive, as it failed to honor the long-established sponsors who have supported the JFA for many years.