About 1 in 3 (34%) of Supported Households Experienced Borrowing to Start or Continue Children's Soccer. love.futbol Japan Releases Survey Report on Economic Poverty and Disparities Surrounding Children's Soccer.

Certified NPO love.futbol Japan works to ensure that no child in Japan gives up on soccer due to economic poverty or disparities. As part of its activities, the organization conducts an annual survey targeting supported households to visualize challenges and needs and to call for support from the Japanese soccer community. This year marks the 6th survey, conducted among 263 households in 44 prefectures that received support in the spring.

The survey results show that approximately one in three (34%) households reported experiencing borrowing (such as credit card cash advances, card loans, or loans from relatives) to start or continue their children's soccer activities. Furthermore, about 40% of children responded that they had "talked to their family about quitting soccer due to concerns about household finances," and 67% of those did so when they were in elementary school. The existence of children who give up silently due to a lack of supportive environments has been confirmed. This survey aims to improve the challenges faced by children by summarizing the issues, needs, and voices of those involved, and by calling for necessary support based on the data.

Past support activities include providing soccer scholarships, donating equipment, and implementing the "Children's Soccer New Semester Support" project for children's mental well-being, in collaboration with over 25 soccer players, including Keima Togashi (Atlanta United FC), Yu Kobayashi, and Akihiro Ienaga (Kawasaki Frontale), and Hinata Miyazawa (Manchester United WFC). Over the past six years, over 31 million yen in scholarships have been disbursed, supporting over 2,500 children in 45 prefectures. However, the scale of children seeking support has quadrupled in five years, and support is not keeping pace. Through this report, we aim to raise awareness of the issues and call for cooperation to support as many children as possible.

▷2026 Fact-Finding Survey Report View and download here

<Survey Overview>

Respondents: Guardians of 263 households benefiting from the 2026 project (319 children)

Region: 44 prefectures (location of beneficiaries)

Method: Questionnaires mailed, self-administered, voluntary responses, returned by mail

Collection Period: March 9 - March 31, 2026

Response Rate: 100%

<Summary>

● Households with an annual income of 2 million yen or less account for approximately 62% of the total. This result has been consistent for 4 consecutive years.

● 34% of households reported experiencing "borrowing" for their children to play soccer.

● Approximately 40% of children responded that they had "talked to their family about quitting soccer due to concerns about household finances." Of these, 67% communicated this when they were in elementary school.

● 56% of households responded that they "want to consult but have no one to turn to" when their children give up soccer due to economic reasons or other factors.

● 61% of households responded that their children playing soccer is considered a "paid extracurricular activity."

● 20% of households stated that soccer expenses are "disrupting their lives," and 75% said they are a "significant burden." Only 5% responded that it is "appropriate."

● 60% of households reported "cutting back on food expenses" to allow their children to play soccer. This result has been consistent for 2 consecutive years.

● 95% of children responded that "soccer is an important place for them." For the second consecutive year, "because someone supports me" was among the top 5 reasons.

● 91% of junior high and high school students who received support responded that they "want to support children in similar circumstances someday."

● Positive changes were observed in the home environment, such as "children's confidence," "parent-child conversations," "children's statements," and "expressions," when children played soccer. ● 22% of households responded that they "feel resistant to seeking support for their children's soccer." This indicates anxiety about not being understood by a society that views soccer as a hobby or luxury.

● 100% of households responded that they wish to continue receiving this support in the future. This has been 100% for 6 consecutive years.

● Regarding the desired scholarship grant rate for annual soccer expenses, "50% grant" was the most common at 37%, followed by "70% grant" at 22%, and "amount not specified" at 20%.

In addition, this survey also confirmed the following:

・Changes in children receiving continuous support ・Monthly and annual costs for one child's soccer (by affiliation) ・Impact of price increases on children's soccer opportunities

・Proportion of households sharing the family's economic situation with their children. Reasons for sharing. ・Details of desired support ・Proportion of households that consider support for children's soccer as necessary as support for living infrastructure such as food and education ・Children's own responses: Details of strengths (non-cognitive skills) gained from soccer ・Children's own responses: Reasons why soccer is considered a place for them ・Children's own responses: Characteristics of soccer courts they want in their towns

<Participating Players and Alumni List> Total 26 players

Keima Togashi (Atlanta United FC)

Yu Kobayashi (Kawasaki Frontale)

Akihiro Ienaga (Kawasaki Frontale)

Manabu Saito (Azul Claro Numazu)

Naoto Arai (Sanfrecce Hiroshima)

Hiroshi Marumizu (Kashiwa Reysol)

William Popp (K. Beerschot VA)

Rikiya Mogi (Omiya Ardija)

Maya Yamamoto (INAC Kobe Leonessa)

Tatsuhiko Noguchi (FC Gifu)

Hogan Han (Vegalta Sendai)

Ilgyu Park (Yokohama F. Marinos)

Yuta Shimosawa (Former FC Osaka)

Shuto Okaniba (Shonan Bellmare)

Hinata Miyazawa (Manchester United WFC)

Miki Yamane (LA Galaxy)

Shota Arai (Vissel Kobe)

Chika Hirao (Granada CF)

Koji Miyoshi (VfL Bochum)

Ryuki Nara (Avispa Fukuoka)

Mitsuki Saito (Kyoto Sanga F.C.)

Akira Sasaki (Kawasaki Frontale)

Yuto Ozeki (Kawasaki Frontale)

Wataru Goto (FC Tokyo)

Kentaro Moriya (Kawasaki Frontale, Development Department)

Hiroki Yamada (Jubilo Iwata, CRO)

<Organization Overview>

love.futbol Japan is an NPO that works to change the "environment" for children in Japan and Asia who cannot play soccer safely due to economic poverty and social disparities. The organization is involved in creating "community-based sports grounds" that resolve local issues and provide places where children can play, as well as operating "Children's Soccer New Semester Support" in Japan and the platform "1% FOOTBALL CLUB," where soccer players donate 1% of their annual salary to support children.

Organization Name: Certified NPO love.futbol Japan

Established: January 12, 2018

Representative Director: Ryoya Kato

Official Website: https://www.lovefutbol-japan.org/

1% FOOTBALL CLUB: https://onepercentfc.com/

[Contact Information]

Certified NPO love.futbol Japan Public Relations Department

MAIL: [email protected]