Youth Development
Alongside the JFA, a three-star renewal was also recommended for the JFA Academy Fukushima, while FC Imabari Academy became the first professional J.League club academy to achieve a three-star endorsement.
Members of the AFC Youth Panel conducted onsite visits from May 11 to 14 following a comprehensive review of extensive documentation submitted by the JFA and the two academies. The evaluation highlighted a system built on long-term planning, substantial investment and a clear football philosophy centred on player development, education and wellbeing.
The panel was particularly impressed by the "Japan’s Way 2.0" technical framework, which places talent identification at the heart of the JFA’s technical strategy and guides a nationwide network of 42 assigned coaches working across Japan’s 47 prefectural associations, ensuring consistent alignment throughout the development pathway.
A standout feature of the JFA’s model was its National Training Centre structure, which utilises a highly targeted selection process to nurture promising talent. Innovative initiatives, including specialised camps for late-born players, were also commended for addressing birth-month bias and ensuring equal opportunities for emerging talent.
Meanwhile, JFA Academy Fukushima retained its three-star endorsement thanks to its holistic approach to player development across both its boys’ and girls’ programmes. The U15 boys’ programme demonstrates a collaborative approach involving 60 professional J.League clubs and the high school football system while the girls’ programme continues to supply talent to Japan’s youth national teams, with several players earning call-ups to the current U17 and U20 national team squads.
FC Imabari Academy’s historic achievement, meanwhile, was attributed to its impressive coaching framework and ambitious "Vision 2035" roadmap, which is underpinned by strong support from local stakeholders.
Hailing the achievement, JFA President Tsuneyasu Miyamoto said: “The fact that, alongside the JFA, both the boys’ and girls’ teams of JFA Academy Fukushima, as well as FC Imabari Academy, have also received three-star status is a strong endorsement of Japan’s youth development. These achievements are the result of the dedicated efforts of coaches, clubs and academy staff, and I would like to express my sincere appreciation and respect to all those involved.
“Furthermore, Japan’s title at the recent AFC U17 Asian Cup™ is a clear demonstration of the impact of these development efforts. I believe this achievement reflects the cumulative work carried out by clubs, prefectural associations and many others involved in youth development across the country, all guided by the philosophy of ‘Japan’s Way’, which has helped nurture a great number of players and ultimately led to these results.”
Meanwhile, FC Imabari Chairman Takeshi Okada said: “I am delighted that FC Imabari Academy has received this recognition. Although we are a small club based in a regional area, we have stayed true to our unique philosophy and this endorsement reflects our success in fostering self-reliant players.
“However, this is not our final goal. Rather than resting on this achievement, we will continue to evolve our academy and aim to lead the Asian football community from Imabari to the world.”
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