The J. League was formally founded on November 1st, 1991 with the goal of raising the level of the Japanese game. The idea of launching a professional league to improve the quality of Japanese football was studied carefully in the late 1980's and it was decided that this had to involve more that simply incorporating the clubs and paying full-time wages. Each club would need to establish a firm geographical base, join together with the people of its local community and help create the fully integrated football-playing environment that could cater for everyone from children to its own first team squad.
The J. League kicked off on May 15th, 1993 with the major objectives of furnishing advanced sports facilities, building better training systems for players and, while lifting Japanese football in these ways, also providing opportunities for as many people as possible across the country to experience the joys of sport.
Professional sport itself provides direct entertainment but the league and clubs also coordinate closely to enhance our overall sporting environment and make it easy for anyone to participate in the fun of sport at any time. The excitement of the J. League stadiums is only the starting point for realising the comprehensive sporting environment for all. This is the J. League's One Hundred Year Vision.
