Fukushima Prefecture has announced at the press conference in Fukushima city that it has decided to establish the position of "J-Village Reconstruction Supporter" in order to develop a support network for the recovery of J-Village, as the Japan Football Association (JFA) President DAINI Kuniya, Vice-President TASHIMA Kohzo and Nadeshiko Japan coach SASAKI Norio were appointed to a member of the supporter.

"It's indispensable for the revitalisation of J-Village to proceed with JFA staff and all the people around the nation who care about the site. We decided to have President Daini, Vice-President Tashima and coach Sasaki take up the post of the J-Village Reconstruction Supporter. That's very encouraging," said Fukushima Prefectural Governor, also President of Japan Football Village, UCHIBORI Masao. "J-Village needs support from you all."

Daini, Tashima and Sasaki also attended the press conference. The JFA President used to live in Hirono and Naraha, where J-Village is located, for six years and half as the vice-president of Japan Football Village. "I have had a strong determination for reconstruction," said Daini. "Under strong leadership by Governor Uchibori and with support from TEPCO, I appreciate the concrete and realistic reconstruction project is finally moving forward." He promised to give full cooperation for the revitalisation.

Tashima, who used to be the first school master of JFA Academy Fukushima, commented that "Now JFA Academy has been operated in Gotenba, but we are preparing to definitely go back to Hirono and Naraha." And he added his thought as the FIFA executive committee member, saying "J-Village was a wonderful football facility, which had outstanding functions as an academy and medical centre, even compared to other facilities in Asia and the world. The medical centre was also built with support of a FIFA Goal Programme grant. When restoring the facility, we need to consider it again if we can get support from FIFA."

Coach Sasaki described J-Village as the "mecca." Now it's been used as a hub for the settlement of the nuclear accident. When it's revitalised, I also work for it to be used as the mecca of football again. And for the Tokyo Olympics, we will use J-Village for training and hopefully bring energy and courage to Japan," said Sasaki enthusiastically.

According to Uchibori, they plan to reopen a part of its facility by July 2018 and the entire facility by April 2019. Daini said, "There is no qualifying round for the Tokyo Olympics so that we can systematically proceed with the development of national teams on a long-term basis.

A part of the facility is said to be available by 2018. That's well-timed. We will develop ourselves, placing J-Village as a training hub.”

With Daini, Tashima and Sasaki taking up their duties of J-Village Reconstruction Supporter, Fukushima Prefecture aims to expand the network to players who are associated with Fukushima and heighten the momentum for the restoration of J-Village.