"What is Meikukai?" The future of Japanese soccer as envisioned by chairman Yoshitoshi Kaneda (former Japanese national soccer team member)
The Japan Football Meikukai (hereinafter Meikukai), a general incorporated association formed in 2010 by players who have made brilliant achievements in the Japanese football world, has been holding activities all over the country to promote football and support young people and girls who are involved in sports. Yoshitoshi Kaneda (former Japan national football team player, Nissan Motors, first JFA Senior Football Ambassador), who serves as the chairman of Meikukai, talked about the activities and his thoughts on promoting football.
Junichi Swan
|
2021/10/19
-First of all, Mr. Kaneda, please tell us how you came to start the Meikukai.
Kaneda:I am currently the chairman, and I want to share the experiences of my predecessors who have worked so hard for Japanese soccer, and create opportunities for us to visit local areas and speak with coaches who are active in each region. Through these efforts, I want to contribute to the development of Japanese soccer, and that is the main reason why I decided to establish the association.
This year marks the 100th anniversary of the Japan Football Association. Since the start of the J-League in 1993, it has become commonplace for the Japanese national team to compete in the Olympics and the World Cup, but even before that, when the team was still called "amateur," many different managers, coaches, and players were active, including Kamamoto and Sugiyama, who won bronze medals at the Mexico Olympics.
Our experienced players, who have played more than 400 J.League games, more than 200 Japan League games, and more than 50 Japan national team games (A matches), will travel all over Japan and share their experiences in international matches for children and parents with the whole country, in the hope that they can help children, parents, and coaches "experience the joy of soccer."
――「Seka ChallengeIt seems that you are also focusing on career support for young people who play sports, under the title "Career Support for Young People Who Play Sports."
Kaneda:Exactly four years ago, I had the opportunity to interact with university students at the time, and I learned that it was normal to start job hunting in the third year of university.As the oldest member of the team, I think it’s important to be mentally and physically fit.This is the perfect timing for them to be job hunting for a whole year as they are entering their most mature years.
“As someone who comes from the sports world, I found this incomprehensible and thought, "This can't be true!"I think it will be fine for those who have professional teams to accommodate their students in baseball, soccer, etc., but I would like to appeal to companies and say, "We have such amazing athletes, so please allow them to devote their all to sports for one year during their fourth year of college."
--It seems that you are providing support to a wide range of people, not just soccer players. What kind of people are you supporting?
Kaneda: Currently, seven or eight people who have used this project have found employment in companies, and are currently in their fourth year at university and are involved in club activities.There are several players registered with the Seka Challenge.
Recently, a heptathlete who said he had originally planned to get a job and leave sports came in seventh at the Japan Championships in his first year as a working professional.
Of course, each athlete's own efforts are important, but we also want them to concentrate on the sport and produce results, so we support students in the form of "Second Challenge."
――KanedaDuring his active career, as an employeePlayIt seems that was the case?
Kaneda:I was an "amateur" at the time, so I would work in the morning and then attend practice in Yokohama in the afternoon.
The people around me were like "semi-professionals," so players like Marinho and the Verdy players at the time didn't go to work and were focused on soccer. So I think there are some aspects that are different from what you might imagine as an "amateur."
--It seems that Meikukai also holds a tournament called the "JC Cup"?
Kaneda:This project was started in partnership with the Japan Junior Chamber in order to spread the "good loser spirit," and this year marks the eighth time it has been held, including the pre-tournament in 2014.
We hold regional qualifying rounds from Hokkaido to Okinawa, and then the representative teams from each region compete in the national tournament, and I am amazed at the high level of the children. In the future, I would also like to focus on holding "soccer clinics for adults."
How do you plan to carry out your activities?
Kaneda:Starting with the "Soccer Clinics for Adults" that have been held at Sports Jungle 10, run by Kazushi Kimura, these clinics are now being held across the country with the aim of making soccer a part of everyday life.
Through our activities across the country, we feel that there are many adults across the country who want to play soccer, so we are holding these events in cooperation with futsal facilities across the country. Moderate exercise also improves the immune system, and we are working to address the current COVID-19 pandemic.
What kind of activities do you actually undertake at the clinic?
Kaneda:It is no exaggeration to say that most children born after the start of the J.League in 1993 have played soccer at some point, and even among those who quit during their school years for one reason or another, there are many who would like to try playing again.
The shoes and clothing these days are really cool.When I held a clinic with that goal in mind, everyone was interested. Currently, about 20 to 30 people gather each time, and the clinic lasts about two to two and a half hours. I provide the adults who participate with methods to "improve their skills even now" and training to stimulate the brain's nervous system.
--Mr. Kaneda, please tell us what your thoughts were on holding this clinic.
Kaneda: First, I want people to play soccer. Secondly, I want to spread the appeal of soccer as a lifelong sport that helps people stay healthy.
Even in this world of the COVID-19 pandemic, we need to boost our immunity to fight the virus. But even if you change your diet, the only way to raise your basal body temperature, which improves your immunity, is to increase your muscle mass. Soccer is the best sport for that.
Even if the "coronavirus pandemic" comes to an end, similar viruses may come back every year. In order to protect yourself from these viruses, you should build a healthy body through soccer.
At first, people who live in the same area are gathered, but participation in the clinic creates a "community" and encourages people to continue playing soccer as a lifelong sport. We are currently working with the hope that through soccer, people's "immunity" will be improved and this will lead to a healthier lifespan.
-Is there anything you would like to try through your activities in the future?
Kaneda:I would like to have each country create a national amateur team for each age group and hold a tournament in Japan. Like a World Cup for age groups in their 40s to 60s. "National teams of people who have never become professional players" would come from all over the world and have fun together in Japan. I don't know if it will be possible, but I would be happy if it could be held.
[Interview cooperation]
Yokohama Football Film Festival
Japan Football Association
Kaneda:I am currently the chairman, and I want to share the experiences of my predecessors who have worked so hard for Japanese soccer, and create opportunities for us to visit local areas and speak with coaches who are active in each region. Through these efforts, I want to contribute to the development of Japanese soccer, and that is the main reason why I decided to establish the association.
This year marks the 100th anniversary of the Japan Football Association. Since the start of the J-League in 1993, it has become commonplace for the Japanese national team to compete in the Olympics and the World Cup, but even before that, when the team was still called "amateur," many different managers, coaches, and players were active, including Kamamoto and Sugiyama, who won bronze medals at the Mexico Olympics.
Our experienced players, who have played more than 400 J.League games, more than 200 Japan League games, and more than 50 Japan national team games (A matches), will travel all over Japan and share their experiences in international matches for children and parents with the whole country, in the hope that they can help children, parents, and coaches "experience the joy of soccer."
――「Seka ChallengeIt seems that you are also focusing on career support for young people who play sports, under the title "Career Support for Young People Who Play Sports."
Kaneda:Exactly four years ago, I had the opportunity to interact with university students at the time, and I learned that it was normal to start job hunting in the third year of university.As the oldest member of the team, I think it’s important to be mentally and physically fit.This is the perfect timing for them to be job hunting for a whole year as they are entering their most mature years.
“As someone who comes from the sports world, I found this incomprehensible and thought, "This can't be true!"I think it will be fine for those who have professional teams to accommodate their students in baseball, soccer, etc., but I would like to appeal to companies and say, "We have such amazing athletes, so please allow them to devote their all to sports for one year during their fourth year of college."
--It seems that you are providing support to a wide range of people, not just soccer players. What kind of people are you supporting?
Kaneda: Currently, seven or eight people who have used this project have found employment in companies, and are currently in their fourth year at university and are involved in club activities.There are several players registered with the Seka Challenge.
Recently, a heptathlete who said he had originally planned to get a job and leave sports came in seventh at the Japan Championships in his first year as a working professional.
Of course, each athlete's own efforts are important, but we also want them to concentrate on the sport and produce results, so we support students in the form of "Second Challenge."
――KanedaDuring his active career, as an employeePlayIt seems that was the case?
Kaneda:I was an "amateur" at the time, so I would work in the morning and then attend practice in Yokohama in the afternoon.
The people around me were like "semi-professionals," so players like Marinho and the Verdy players at the time didn't go to work and were focused on soccer. So I think there are some aspects that are different from what you might imagine as an "amateur."
--It seems that Meikukai also holds a tournament called the "JC Cup"?
Kaneda:This project was started in partnership with the Japan Junior Chamber in order to spread the "good loser spirit," and this year marks the eighth time it has been held, including the pre-tournament in 2014.
We hold regional qualifying rounds from Hokkaido to Okinawa, and then the representative teams from each region compete in the national tournament, and I am amazed at the high level of the children. In the future, I would also like to focus on holding "soccer clinics for adults."
How do you plan to carry out your activities?
Kaneda:Starting with the "Soccer Clinics for Adults" that have been held at Sports Jungle 10, run by Kazushi Kimura, these clinics are now being held across the country with the aim of making soccer a part of everyday life.
Through our activities across the country, we feel that there are many adults across the country who want to play soccer, so we are holding these events in cooperation with futsal facilities across the country. Moderate exercise also improves the immune system, and we are working to address the current COVID-19 pandemic.
What kind of activities do you actually undertake at the clinic?
Kaneda:It is no exaggeration to say that most children born after the start of the J.League in 1993 have played soccer at some point, and even among those who quit during their school years for one reason or another, there are many who would like to try playing again.
The shoes and clothing these days are really cool.When I held a clinic with that goal in mind, everyone was interested. Currently, about 20 to 30 people gather each time, and the clinic lasts about two to two and a half hours. I provide the adults who participate with methods to "improve their skills even now" and training to stimulate the brain's nervous system.
--Mr. Kaneda, please tell us what your thoughts were on holding this clinic.
Kaneda: First, I want people to play soccer. Secondly, I want to spread the appeal of soccer as a lifelong sport that helps people stay healthy.
Even in this world of the COVID-19 pandemic, we need to boost our immunity to fight the virus. But even if you change your diet, the only way to raise your basal body temperature, which improves your immunity, is to increase your muscle mass. Soccer is the best sport for that.
Even if the "coronavirus pandemic" comes to an end, similar viruses may come back every year. In order to protect yourself from these viruses, you should build a healthy body through soccer.
At first, people who live in the same area are gathered, but participation in the clinic creates a "community" and encourages people to continue playing soccer as a lifelong sport. We are currently working with the hope that through soccer, people's "immunity" will be improved and this will lead to a healthier lifespan.
-Is there anything you would like to try through your activities in the future?
Kaneda:I would like to have each country create a national amateur team for each age group and hold a tournament in Japan. Like a World Cup for age groups in their 40s to 60s. "National teams of people who have never become professional players" would come from all over the world and have fun together in Japan. I don't know if it will be possible, but I would be happy if it could be held.
[Interview cooperation]
Yokohama Football Film Festival
Japan Football Association
