On Tuesday 25 February, Japan Football Association (JFA) held a briefing session for the projects scheduled for the "JFA Women's Football Day" on Sunday 8 March.

In collaboration with the “International Women's Day” established by the United Nations, JFA has decided to declare 8 March as "Women's Football Day" at its board meeting held on May 2019.

At the session, JFA Women's Committee Chairperson IMAI Junko, shared their aspiration to “hold nationwide events that would help promote and develop women’s football each year around 8 March.” With this year being the inaugural year for the Women's Football Day, Chairperson Imai explained their plans to cooperate with prefectural FAs and supporting companies of this project, as she mentioned, “The environment surrounding women’s football is not as accessible as men’s football. We would like to provide equal opportunities for women who seeks to play football.”

In response to the current shortage of women’s football teams at the junior high school category, with the support of adidas Japan K.K., JFA has announced to launch a project that would support start-up teams at the junior high school category (U-15).

This project, named as the “HER TEAM” project, will take place from 8 March, where adidas Japan K.K. will provide the tools to seek new recruits, team jerseys, and football clinics, for start-up teams who are willing to operate from April 2020 to March 2021.

Also, Saitama city shared their plans to hold events to promote women’s football during the international friendly match between the U-20 Japan Women's National Team and the U-20 Germany Women's National Team. Although the match was cancelled in measures to prevent the escalation of mass infection of the coronavirus disease, it is certain that Saitama city will continue to support the promotion and development of women’s football.

Inspired by foreign customs of giving mimosa flowers on International Women's Day, Nadeshiko Japan’s (Japan Women’s National Team) apparel provider, BEAMS Co., Ltd., supplied yellow scarfs for the players of Nadeshiko Japan to wear when they travel to the USA for the 2020 SheBelieves Cup.

For more information on the projects and events, please visit the "JFA Women's Football Day" website.

"JFA Women's Football Day" Website