Former Japan attacker Keisuke Honda has founded a new type of national football tournament for children aged 10 or under aimed at helping them think for themselves and play without direction from a coach on the bench.
The move by Honda, who is also active as an angel investor, comes as elementary school-level national tournaments in sports such as judo have been halted amid criticism of a win-at-all-costs mentality that has been a long-term problem in Japanese junior sports.
In the format promoted by Honda, children play four-on-four football on a futsal court to guarantee each child playing time. They also come up with their own strategies and substitutions.
There have been no previous under-10 national football championships in Japan.
"The results aren't the most important thing for that age group," the 37-year-old Honda said. "But it means a lot if children play with their own strong desire to win."
More than 200 regional "4v4" tournaments have been scheduled around the country through end of November.
A total of 48 teams -- 16 winners of the top-tier regionals and the top 32 teams based on points from matches -- will qualify for the national championship in December.
As Honda aims to "support challengers," losing teams get to enter other tournaments as many times as they want.
As the football games involve players of varying sizes and strength levels, individuals and teams are encouraged to find ways to overcome their weaknesses and maximize their strong points.
That aspect, Honda says, is "similar" to surviving in an unfair society.
"The most important skill is to think for yourself, formulate a strategy, and aim for victory," said Honda, who played for Japan at three successive World Cups through the 2018 tournament in Russia. "Thinking through football and aiming for victory will lead to that."
With the support of telecommunications firm KDDI Corp. and casual clothing chain Uniqlo Co., there is also a plan to expand the tournament overseas in the future.
Honda said he hopes to contribute to the development of the football world through the project.
"As its founder, I'll be thrilled if this project can help develop unique individuals and those who carry Japan in the future," he said.
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