Why is American woman’s football popular and strong?

As you know, Nadeshiko Japan became the Women's World Cup winner.

The team was victorious over the heavily favored United States in Frankfurt on July 17. Actually, Nadeshiko fought against the US twenty four times

before, but they only tied three time.

So, a lot of Japanese people were moved and exploded in exultation.

And at the same time, I had one simple question.

Why is American woman’s football popular and strong?

I think there are two big reasons.

First, the total amount of the contestant population is very important like a table tennis in China. Surprisingly,167 million women are playing football in the US.

Playng football is really popular among young girls in junior or high school .Meanwhile, it’s only 46 thousands in Japan. So, after the woman’s World Cup, Japanese Football Association made a plan to increase the contestant population to 300 thousand by 2015.

Second, government support is really important. It’s not only preparing the sports facilities, but conducting some human resource development programs.

In figure skating world In Japan, Japanese government have conducted junior human resource program and supported the budget for each athletes.

In the US, the situation of woman’s football is fantastic compare to other advanced countries. Especially, government provides great opportunity to female athletes where they can join some sports club and enjoy so easily.

This direction is based on the role of women within American society, which includes relative equality (especially rejecting hardened gender roles) for women in the United States relative to many other countries.

This is also reflected in official government policy regarding women in athletics, specifically Title IX, which requires college and public school athletics programs to support men's and women's athletics equally. A 2008 study of intercollegiate athletics showed that women's collegiate sports has grown to 9,101 teams, or 8.65 teams per school.  

Unfortunately, in other advanced countries, the thought that sports is for men still remains in women's mind.

Yes, women who are interested in sports are increasing in Japan but, there is still no comparison between Japan and the U.S.

I heard that even Nadeshiko members still don't make enough money.

so, they have to do another job and then practice.

They used the economy class when they got back to Japan.

I hope Japanese government support Japanese women athletes more in the future. Otherwise, Nadeshiko can't win next the World Cup.

Written in Aug 2011 and revised Feb 2012