The Japan Football Association (JFA) has been dispatching coaches to Asian countries with an objective to develop the game in the whole Asian region. Starting in June, with the support of the Japan Foundation, three Japanese coaches will start coaching in three cities in Myanmar. In addition to Mr. KOGA Takuma, who has been coaching at the Mandalay Academy of Myanmar Football Federation (MFF) since 2017, two additional Japanese coaches, TERAMINE Akira and YOSHIDA Akira will newly join the MFF Academies in Yangon and Pathein respectively. Upon the assignment of the new coaches, a press conference was held in Yangon.

Presenter's Comments

Mr. Zaw Zaw, MFF President
Over the years, we have built a close relationship with the JFA and we have welcomed Mr. Koga to coach at the MFF Academy in Mandalay last year with hopes to develop the overall level of the future national team players. After observing the activities over a year, we have decided to appoint additional Japanese coaches for our other academies in Yangon and Pathein. With the help from Japan, I strongly believe that we will gain great results and that is why we have invited two new coaches. I will like to express my sincere gratitude to the JFA for accepting our request. By working together, we hope to contribute to the overall growth of football.

H.E. Mr. MARUYAMA Ichiro, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to the Republic of the Union of Myanmar
In the 1920s, during the initial stage of Japanese football, a Burmese student named Kyaw Din came to Japan to study at Tokyo Institute of Technology and brought in a British style training method to Japan. His contribution was acknowledged by the JFA and he was inducted into the Japan Football Hall of Fame. Now that three youth development coaches have been dispatched from Japan to Myanmar, I am feeling the strong fate between the two countries. I sincerely hope that the relationship of the two countries will deepen, not only in football, but in all aspects.

Mr. SATO Koji, Director, Japan Foundation Asia Center Yangon Japan Culture House
The Japan Foundation Asia Center carries out mutual exchange programmes between the ASEAN countries and Japan through culture, art and sports. In March, our foundation has opened the new office in Myanmar, while in football, the foundation has signed the partnership with JFA and J.League in 2014. We are proud to support the three coaches, and we hope that this will help deepen mutual understanding between the two countries.

MATSUNAGA Takashi, Associate Director (JFA International Relations Department)
The relationship between the MFF and JFA has gotten closer ever since Mr. Zaw Zaw has been appointed as President of MFF. Each year we have been working together in many aspects including exchanges among coaches, support of league operation, dispatchment of technical experts, and hosting training camps in Japan for all age categories of the Myanmar National Team. Throughout these activities we came to realise that we share many mutual traits in the football we strive for. In that sense, it is very logical to have Japanese coaches dispatched to Myanmar to take part in the development of youths in their early teens. With the spots for Asia increasing to eight in the 2026 World Cup, it provides great opportunities for the Asian countries. I am looking forward for the day Japan and Myanmar both making their appearance in the World Cup.