Translated from local language: On the 9th, the J.League and the Nippon Foundation signed a partnership agreement in the field of sustainability and held a press conference in Tokyo. The J.League will switch to an autumn-spring format, starting in August, from the 2026-2027 season, in order to reduce the risk of extreme heat. J.League Chairman Yoshikazu Nonomura (53) said, “Weather and soccer play have an impact. The soccer world is serious about what we can do to fundamentally stop climate change.”
One of the concrete measures under the partnership agreement is participation in the “Sport Positive Leagues.” Since the 2018-19 season, each club’s efforts have been visualised in 12 areas that are important for climate change countermeasures. Japan will also set its own standards based on these items, and will be the first in Asia to start in January 2026. The Nippon Foundation will provide a grant of 370 million yen for fiscal 2025. To begin with, the Foundation will provide a grant of up to 4 million yen to all 60 J.League clubs to support the promotion of the project.
Also attending the press conference were former Japan national team midfielder Kengo Nakamura (44), Nordic ski jumper Sara Takanashi (28, Kuraray), and former Japan national rugby player Ayumu Goromaru (39). Nakamura, who played until the 2020 season and has been involved in the field as a coach since his retirement, said, “Compared to when I was young, the summer in Japan has become so hot that it is life-threatening to play,” and appealed, “There is a limit to what an individual can do. By collaborating together, we can get people interested.”
Takanashi, who is also working on environmental conservation by starting the “JUMP for The Earth PROJECT” to protect the natural environment of snowy mountains, spoke positively, saying, “There are rules, so it can be enjoyed like a game, but it is a system that allows us to take a positive approach to major (environmental) issues.” Goromaru also expressed his expectations, saying, “The establishment of regulations will raise the level of each club’s expectations and change their behavior. This will change the behavior of fans and players as well. It is a very interesting initiative. I hope other sports organizations will follow suit.”
Full article in local language: https://news.infoseek.co.jp/article/sponichin_20250509_0198/
