Tokyo – The Japan Football Association (JFA) has emphatically reaffirmed its commitment to remaining within the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), categorically denying any speculation or consideration of joining a group outside the continental body.
JFA President Tsuneyasu Miyamoto stressed in a statement to the German Press Agency (dpa) that the Japanese federation has “never discussed such a matter and has no current or future direction in this regard.” This statement follows recent rumors suggesting a trend among some countries to withdraw from the AFC.
Miyamoto clarified that Japan considers itself an integral part of the Asian football family and consistently seeks to contribute to the development of the sport across the continent. “The Japan Football Association is absolutely not considering joining any bloc outside the continental framework, nor does it embrace such a trend,” he stated, adding that no internal discussions on the matter have been held.
The JFA President noted significant progress in the performance of Asian national teams in recent years, attributing it to the substantial investments many countries have made in technical development and infrastructure, which has noticeably raised the level of competition. Miyamoto, who succeeded Kozo Tashima as JFA President in March 2024, predicted this development trajectory will continue, expressing confidence that Asian football will reach advanced global levels due to the ambitious visions and systematic work within the national federations.
Regarding the strength of Japanese football, Miyamoto highlighted that “continuous investment in youth development has been and remains the foundation of Japan’s success.” He emphasized that the JFA operates with world-class standards and aims to compete with the best globally, viewing this approach as the only way to sustain progress and continued success.
He acknowledged that the competition in Asia has become more challenging due to the advancement of football in many nations, but asserted that this development only motivates Japan to continue challenging itself and relentlessly pursue continental titles, particularly the AFC Asian Cup, which Japan has been striving to reclaim since 2011.
