J.LEAGUE is set to go European' with landmark calendar move that could prove to be the making of football in Japan

"J.LEAGUE will undergo the biggest change in its 33-year history next summer when it transitions from its previously traditional spring to autumn calendar and matches up with the European football season.It's a landmark decision expected to have a significant impact on football in Japan. English football fans who have enjoyed watching the likes of Wataru Endo (Liverpool), Kaoru Mitoma (Brighton), Daichi Kamada (Crystal Palace), Ao Tanaka (Leeds) might be interested in the new wave of Japanese talent this calendar change could provide."

"By switching to a European-style calendar, the flow of people between Japan and Europe is expected to increase, and it will be a two-way street.Transfer window and pre-season alignment should encourage players and head coaches, young and experienced from Europe, to move to J.LEAGUE clubs. The league in Japan is a fantastic springboard, but joining a club midway through their domestic season has previously been seen as a sticking point,"

"J.LEAGUE are showing their ambition to break into the traditional top five leagues in the world, or at the very least bridge the gap that currently exists between Europe and the rest of the world.It is a move that has been debated for 20 years, but is finally happening and the fact that only one club voted against the move is a sign that Japan is almost unanimous in the feeling that this change had to happen for J.LEAGUE to achieve its true potential."

J.LEAGUE will move from a spring-to-autumn schedule to a European-style autumn-to-spring calendar next summer, aligning with the European football season. Transfer windows and pre-season timing will synchronize with Europe, encouraging increased two-way movement of players and head coaches. The change removes the barrier of midseason arrivals and could make J.LEAGUE a more attractive springboard for talent moving to Europe. The calendar switch has been debated for two decades and saw near-unanimous approval from clubs. The league aims to narrow the gap with Europe's top leagues while maintaining strong domestic support, with 2024 recording over 12.5 million attendances.

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