Japan's high school football thrives as tradition and talent collide

After more than a century, Japan’s national high school football tournament continues to captivate the nation, blending tradition with raw talent. The event, which began in 1917, kicked off again Saturday, drawing massive crowds, millions of TV viewers, and ambitious young players chasing dreams.

For many students, playing in the tournament is the pinnacle of their amateur careers. Matches are as much a spectacle as a sport, with cheering squads waving flags, banging drums, and roaring encouragement in a kaleidoscope of color and sound.

“All the teams are at a similar level of technical ability, so it’s about who wants to win the most,” said Junpei Fukuda, 18, leader of Ryutsukeizai University Kashiwa High School’s cheering squad. “We want our voices to be the loudest.”

Unlike Europe, where professional academies dominate youth development, Japanese high school football still attracts elite talent. Current national stars such as Daizen Maeda and Reo Hatate of Celtic and Crystal Palace’s Daichi Kamada began their journeys in the high school ranks.

High school football teams from Japan's 47 prefectures at the opening ceremony for the 103rd All Japan high school soccer tournament at the National Stadium of Tokyo.AFP

However, the landscape is shifting. More top young players are opting for youth teams in Japan’s professional J. League, bypassing high school football and affecting the tournament’s overall quality.

Still, for players like 17-year-old Ryutsukeizai Kashiwa midfielder Kanaru Matsumoto, the tournament retains its allure. Matsumoto, set to join the J. League’s Shonan Bellmare next year, called it “the stage I’ve aspired to play on ever since I was little.”

The tournament’s format remains steeped in tradition, featuring knockout rounds with 48 teams representing Japan’s prefectures over 18 days. Last season’s final drew 55,000 fans to Tokyo’s National Stadium, surpassing most J. League match attendances.

Football journalist Masashi Tsuchiya attributes its popularity to local pride. “It’s a tournament that places importance on local pride and old school ties,” he said.

High school football matches draw huge crowds and millions watching on TV. Last season's final in Tokyo was played in front of 55,000 fans, comfortably eclipsing most J. League attendancesAFP

Not all participants aim for professional careers. For some, the tournament marks the end of their soccer journey, with many choosing university sports or leaving the game entirely.

“It’s where kids, who have worked really hard for something, become adults,” said Ryutsukeizai Kashiwa manager Masahiro Enomoto.

TV broadcasts heighten the drama, showcasing players’ backstories, emotional bonds, and tearful defeats, adding a layer of human connection.

“Japanese people love that kind of drama,” Enomoto said.

Ryutsukeizai University Kashiwa High School football club train for the annual tournament which is is thriving after more than 100 years, attracting huge crowds, millions watching on TV and breeding future stars AFP

While the competition serves as a stepping stone for future stars, Tsuchiya believes its appeal lies in the passion on display. “You can enjoy watching kids give everything they’ve got to try to win each game,” he said.

The tournament may face challenges from evolving soccer trends, but its century-old legacy remains unshaken. For players and fans alike, it continues to symbolize the spirit of Japanese football.