Japan wants to bring back its strong women's football. A new league helps women players and gets more fans.
Ten years ago, Japan led in women's football. The team won the World Cup in 2011. Other countries passed Japan since then. Now, a new pro league helps Japan aim for the top again.
Fans came to Komaba Stadium in Urawa. They watched Urawa Reds Ladies play Cerezo Osaka. Hayato Kagawa supports both men's and women's teams. Only about 1,400 fans showed up.
The WE League is Japan's pro women's league. It is still growing. Hisako Ariga runs the Reds' fan radio. She says fan numbers in Japan are lower than in Germany, England, and the USA. The league wants more fans.
Kozue Ando played on the 2011 World Cup team. She remembers 20,000 fans in stadiums back then. Interest dropped after 2015. The national team did not win another World Cup.
Ayumi Kaihori was a goalie. Now she directs the WE League. WE means Women Empowerment. The league wants pro football to be a good job for women in Japan. It helps with equal chances at work.
Kaihori says the league works with the men's J-League. They improve player training and ads. Some men's clubs help women's teams. Fan numbers are going up slowly.
Many girls quit football in middle school. There are not enough chances to keep playing. The WE League works with clubs. It helps girls play longer and get better.
