Tokyo: Joint CIES and Dentsu Asian Football Management Seminar

Dentsu Hall, Shiodome, Tokyo, May 9, 2014: A prestigious management seminar on ‘The future of Asian Football’ was co-hosted in Tokyo by CIES and Dentsu Inc in May. The event was organized under the aegis of the FIFA Master alumni association, with former course graduates part of the main programme of speakers. The aim of the seminar was to consider the development of football in Asian by analysing and comparing the football system seen in Europe.

The highly successful event welcomed more than 700 delegates. Representatives from organizations such as the Japanese Football Association, J-League, various football clubs, sport marketing agencies, sponsors, media, universities and individuals with a strong interest in football business and culture in Asia enjoyed a comprehensive programme of presentations.

The seminar was organized with four guest speakers, who covered the following topics:

Mr. Yoshihiro Oi (Dentsu Inc.)

General Manager, Asian Football Business, Sports Division, Dentsu Inc.

‘Growing the Asian Football Business Market’

Mr. Kaita Sugihara (FIFA Master 5th edition)

Consultant, FIFA

‘Current status of Football Leagues in Asia’

Mr. Jair Bertoni (FIFA Master 5th edition)

Head of Cabinet, EPFL

‘How to drive a league to success – The European Model’

Mr. Tsuneyasu Miyamoto (FIFA Master 13th edition)

International Committee Member, Japan Football Association

‘The role of Japan in fulfilling Asian Football’

Mr.Oi (Dentsu Inc.) opened the seminar using specific examples to help explain the remarkable growth of football business in China and other ASEAN area countries. His presentation was followed by three FIFA Master alumni. Mr.Sugihara (FIFA) spoke about the current status of football leagues in Asia based on his eight years of experience working for the Asian Football Confederation (AFC). Mr. Bertoni (EPFL) followed with a talk on opportunities for Asian football by discussing the success stories seen in European Leagues. Mr. Miyamoto (JFA/J-League) next explained the role of Japan in helping to fulfil the potential of Asian football while also offering perspectives as a former international football player.