Japan and Vietnam Football Leagues Partner To Spread Sport In Respective Countries

Japan's top-tier professional football league, the J.League, signed a partnership agreement with Vietnam Professional Football Joint Stock Company (VPF) on Tuesday in Hanoi, Vietnam. VPF runs the V-League, the top professional football league in Vietnam. The deal marks the second time the Japan Football Association has entered into an agreement with a professional football league from abroad, since February with the Thai Premier League. The J.League and VPF will work together toward the development of the sport in both countries, in terms of communication, marketing, managing events, academy and transferring players between the two leagues (J.League). Sports marketing agency LeadOff Sports Marketing GM Takehiko Nakamura said, "This 'Asia Strategy' that J.League is rolling out is to enhance its presence and to develop new businesses both in Japan and in other Asian areas. This movement and strategy is going to position J.League closer towards the European powerhouses in the near future" (SBD Global).