Women's football English

Japan introduces new women’s professional league

Japan Football Association (JFA) plans to establish a new women’s football league, known as Women’s Empowerment League (WE League) ahead of 2023 Women’s World Cup.

The WE League will begin in 2021 and there will be between 6-10 teams competing but no relegation will take place for several years but there will be promotion from lower league, Nadeshiko League.

“The purpose of the launch of the new league is not just the development of women’s football in Japan,” JFA President Kozo Tashima said in a statement.

“Our aim is to contribute to build a sustainable society through promoting female social participation and enhancing diversities and choices.”

“How we contribute to the society through sports is an important mission for all of us in the sports world.

“We will work on to establish the career of women’s professional football, which is the dream of many girls, and further promote women’s empowerment and solve social issues.”

The league also ordered every team to appoint at least one woman as club executive, and at least half the employees must be female within three years.

Japan is bidding to host the 2023 Women’s World Cup, but face competition from Australia/New Zealand bid, Brazil bid and Colombia bid, as FIFA will announce the tournament hosts on June 25.