Summer Transfers in the Japan Women's Football League

Although not great in number, there have been some interesting moves between clubs since the beginning of the season. Coming into the Nadeshiko League for the first time is Otaki Ami, who joined Urawa Red Diamonds Ladies from Olympique Lyon in June. The Waseda University graduate made her first appearance for her new side recently in the Nadeshiko League Cup. Going to Europe is INAC Kobe Leonessa's Tanaka Asuna, who moved to Frankfurt, also in June.

In July INAC Kobe's Yamada Maho, yet to appear for her new club, moved to Bunnys Kyoto for a loan spell and immediately made an impact, scoring on her first appearance. Going the other way, the JFA Academy's impressive Miyake Shiori has joined INAC Kobe for a loan period with a view to a permanent move upon completion of the school year in March. Miyake made an immediate impact at the higher level, scoring the only goal to beat Iga FC Kunoichi in her second game.

A similar arrangement exists with goalkeeper Yamashita Ayaka of Murata Girls' High School, who has moved temporarily to NTV Beleza. From NTV Menina, Beleza's youth side, Toriumi Yuka, Miyagawa Asato and Miura Narumi were brought into the full side for the Nadeshiko League Cup, and all three made one appearance.

Albirex Niigata Ladies also brought several players into their top team from their U-18 side: Watanabe Rina, Sekura Haruhi, Takizawa Rio, Nakamura Shiori, Fujii Tsumigi and Takahashi Tomoko, though none of these have yet to appear at senior level this season.

JEF United Ichihara Chiba Ladies made a move for Kawamura Mari of Fukuoka J. Anclas in April and she immediately became a starting member, celebrating her move with a goal on her first appearance. Speranza FC Osaka Takatsuki signed their third Thai international player in June, Naphat Seesraum, as they look to strengthen their side for the second half of the season.

Takatsuki have loaned Yoshizawa Ai to Fukuoka J. Anclas and one of their goalkeepers, Nakamura Saki, has decided to focus on studying and playing for Osaka International University until her graduation, after which she intends to return to top-level football.

Also leaving the Nadeshiko League are Takai Yuna of Urawa Red Diamonds Ladies and Park Youn Jeong of Albirex Niigata Ladies.


In the Challenge League the most notable transfer was that of Ohno Shinobu to AS Elfen Sayama from Olympique Lyon. Thus far she has played on four occasions and scored on two of those, and with Sayama looking good for promotion, will be looking forward to playing in the Nadeshiko League again before long. Also joining Sayama is Hara Ayumi, who last played in the league in 2009 for INAC Kobe Leonessa and whose primary role for Sayama is that of coach.

Yu Ji Eun joined Bunnys Kyoto at the end of April and has been a regular starter ever since, while Ehime's Shigemoto Shiho, who had only played once since joining from Okayama Yunogo Belle this season, retired from the side. Finally, Kim Kyoung Sin has left Fukuoka J. Anclas, though unlike Shigemoto she had been a regular starter for Fukuoka.