# Japan’s academy system supercharged women’s team

> Japan’s youth academy system produces world-class female footballers who excel globally.
- Title: Japan’s academy system supercharged women’s team | Shortify
- Summary: Japan’s youth academy system produces world-class female footballers who excel globally. Japan’s JFA Academy system develops players with technical skills…
- Keywords: jfa academy, nadeshiko, women's asian cup, women's world cup, japan women football team, nwsl, juventus, chicago stars, manaka hayashi, shota mishio, sports, Japan
- Source: the Guardian — https://theguardian.com/football/2026/oct/13/how-japan-academy-system-supercharged-womens-team
- Published: 2026-10-13T10:22:04+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: jfa academy, nadeshiko, women's asian cup, women's world cup, japan women football team, nwsl, juventus, chicago stars, manaka hayashi, shota mishio, sports
## Japan wins Women’s Asian Cup
Japan’s Yui Hasegawa and team celebrate winning the 2026 Women’s Asian Cup final against Australia in March.
## Japan’s football success
Japan has won the Women’s World Cup in 2011 and reached another final in 2015.
## JFA Academy system
Japan’s JFA Academy has three girls’ academies across 123 million people.
## Academy locations
Fukushima, Sakai, and Imabari opened in 2006, 2012, and 2015 respectively.
## Player development
Girls enter academies at 13 and leave at 15, with 25% becoming senior national team players.
## Shota Mishio’s insight
Shota Mishio, a former national team coach, says 25% of players become senior national team players.
## Manaka Hayashi’s journey
Manaka Hayashi graduated from JFA Academy Fukushima in 2022 and joined Chicago Stars in 2025.
## Education and training
Players receive education and football-specific training from morning to evening.
## International success
Five Japan players came through Fukushima academy at the 2023 World Cup, seven at the Paris Olympics.
## Global opportunities
Japan’s players join top clubs like Juventus and Manchester City’s Yui Hasegawa.
## Key takeaway

Japan’s JFA Academy system develops players with technical skills and education, leading to success in international competitions.