Introduction
With Japanese players growing to become some of the most sought-after players in the world, it is undeniable that competition between agents to sign a young rising Japanese star is at the highest it has ever been. However, with increasing competition it is important for agents to understand and adapt to the culture, market and the overall ecosystem to effectively approach Japanese High Schools and Universities to strike a deal for one of their young talents.
The opportunity
Japan has a massive youth football system, with 3800+ high school teams and over 300 university club’s opportunities are there to be taken, however the importance for agents to step in ethically and professionally cannot be understated when dealing with High Schools and Universities. In addition, with many of Japan’s rising stars often blooming late a question remains: “Is agents intervenening earlier in the Japanese system work.” And “Does a Western mindset work in recruitment of Japanese players?”
Understanding the Philosophy: The importance of school
Players are raised in a system that looks beyond just football, every student understands the importance of being able to have a backup plan and staying humble. The goals are shared by both players and teachers as teams are often coached by teachers and not full-time professionals.
Having grown up in Japan, the importance of education had always come first and at times it felt like education was the only thing that mattered. Every student/player will understand the importance of education, with parents making sure that the discipline and academic balance is kept.
By an agent understanding the importance of education they can better present a vision for the player which includes a clear educational pathway such as Scholarships or dual-career programs abroad. This will help additionally, with building the trust between you and their family. It can reassure them of your intentions and the fact that you are providing their child with the best developmental pathway to success.
Hierarchy matters
Japanese schools run under a senpai-kõhai (senior-junior) hierarchy system. This system is also kept within their football teams. Therefore, agents must understand the bigger picture when approaching a young player. Having thorough research of the environment the player is working within and going through their ‘football hierarchy’ is vital to maintain respect and trust. This can be where the coaches start to play a vital role.
Coaches play a vital role
The school coach or head of football department often acts as a gatekeeper between players and the outside world. Coaches will have a feeling of responsibility to protect their players from guiding them down a route of distraction or being pulled away from education, as at the end of the day the player is working as a student in a school environment.
Key tournaments and the Ethics of timing
Key competitions are some of the most visible and important tournaments for players to showcase themselves on some of the biggest stages in Japan. Here are 2 of the most important tournaments:
- High school – All Japan High School Soccer tournament – Televised nationally (10M+ Viewers) + 50,000 attendance
- University – All Japan University Championship – Final step for many before attending Pro trials
These events may be some of the most important and significant sporting stages in japan, but it is important for agents to understand that they are school showcases with school teams competing.
Thus, approaching a player during or immediately after these events without school consent is seen as poaching and can result in blacklisting.
Understanding the circumstances with University players
For those players who decide to take the route of university many will be 21-22 years old and therefore legally an adult. This makes the situation for an agent slightly simpler.
Players will be more open to engaging directly with the agent, along with coach endorsement.
Leveraging the SDP system strategically
With many young players needing to gain professional experience, in order to make the strides necessary in their career, Japan allows talented school/university players to be able to play in the J. League under a system called the “Special Designated Player” program. This allows players to be able to play professional matches whilst still being registered with their school team.
Therefore, as an agent, being able to utilize the program effectively can be essential for attracting young players. The program can help make an agent more appealing, if they can primarily assist a young high school prospect into being registered under the SDP system. Even before any negotiation for pro contracts begin. This helps maximize the player’s development and support the balance between taking the risk of pursuing a profesional career and still having a backup plan in education and a school team to fall back on. This avoids any agents who may be pushing for a full pro contract, and a full transfer at too early of a stage in the player’s career.
Recognizing a different mindset and taking an adapted approach
Understanding that working in a unique market such as the Japanese market starts from recognizing the cultural differences and being adaptable. An aggressive and potentially overly promising and convincing style, which may work in Europe will not correlate over to the Japanese market. The importance of protecting the career of the player will always be the main priority, this means agents needing a long-term thinking. Simple aspects such as waiting until the right time to avoid disrupting any academic goals will be crucial in building real relationships. This makes the player feel that you are more like a mentor, not a deal maker and can start to build the trust needed.
Conclusion
To conclude, I hope my article has helped paint a bigger picture for you. By understanding the full eco system which surrounds a player (student), you can help to approach any situation with precision. Effectively increasing your chances of signing the player and avoiding any mishaps which could have simply been avoided through preparation for before hand.
Success comes not just from singing the right player, but from earning the trust of their entire ecosystem that they thrive in.
