Note: Single-source report; awaiting corroboration.
UEFA and the Japanese Football Association (JFA) have formed a new partnership to share knowledge and expertise in sustainability, building on UEFA's Football Sustainability Strategy 2030 and supporting the JFA's Asu-Pass! initiative. This cooperation includes regular exchanges with the Asian Football Confederation on sustainability issues.
UEFA president Aleksander Čeferin emphasized the importance of practical action in sustainability, such as reducing consumption and waste, to ensure the sport's future. He noted that sustainability involves protecting the environment and promoting health, education, and communities through football.
JFA president Tsuneyasu Miyamoto expressed optimism about the partnership, highlighting the importance of addressing social issues like climate change, human rights, discrimination, and safeguarding, alongside athletic and business priorities. Miyamoto identified sustainability as a core element for the future of football worldwide.
The JFA has made sustainability one of three core pillars in its growth strategy for 2026 to 2031, focusing on five areas in the Asu-Pass! social action program: planet, people, well-being, education, and community. The association values its football culture rooted in community activities across all 47 prefectures and aims to enhance its approach by adopting European best practices through this collaboration.
Insights and guidance from the partnership will be shared with JFA's regional associations, federations, partner companies, and the broader Japanese football community, aiming to create lasting benefits for both the sport and society.