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The Bundesliga is set to further strengthen its long-standing connection with Japanese football through the launch of Bundesliga Dream Japan, the first youth development project jointly delivered by a top European league and the Japan Football Association (JFA).
As part of Bundesliga Dream, the league’s flagship youth development initiative across Asia, Japan’s Under-15 boys national team will experience “Football As It’s Meant To Be” first-hand during a fortnight-long training camp in Germany in December 2026. The programme includes matches against the youth academies of Borussia Dortmund, who are currenty on tour in Japan, and Borussia Mönchengladbach.
The Japanese youngsters will follow in the footsteps of former Bundesliga stars Shinji Kagawa, a two-time Bundesliga champion and DFB-Pokal winner with Borussia Dortmund, and Makoto Hasebe, who lifted the UEFA Europa League with Eintracht Frankfurt in 2022.
The Bundesliga Dream project already operates successfully in China, Korea, Vietnam and Thailand, giving talented young players direct exposure to elite football environments at Germany’s top clubs.
Alongside specialist coaching and friendly matches against Bundesliga academy teams, the programme promotes personal development by giving players first-hand experience of life and football culture in Germany.
Off the pitch, the squad will take part in classroom sessions covering sports psychology, recovery and long-term player development. The experience will also include visits to club facilities and the opportunity to attend live Bundesliga matches.
“For us, international growth has never been just about expanding the Bundesliga’s footprint. It is about building lasting football partnerships,” said Peer Naubert, Chief Commercial Officer of Bundesliga Media.
“Japan is one of the clearest examples of that philosophy. Over decades, Japanese players have become an integral part of the Bundesliga’s story, and together with the JFA we are proud to invest in the next generation of Japanese talent through Bundesliga Dream Japan.
“Giving young players first-hand experience of our clubs, our player development environment and our football culture is one of the most meaningful ways to strengthen that relationship for generations to come.”
Bundesliga Dream Japan 1.0 builds on decades of close football ties between Germany and Japan. Since 1992, 58 Japanese players have so far featured in the Bundesliga — more than in any other European league.
The connection is as strong as ever. During the 2025–26 season, 15 Japanese players competed in the Bundesliga, the highest number among Europe’s top leagues. This influence was also evident on the global stage, where seven Bundesliga players were included in Japan’s squad at the 2026 FIFA World Cup – more than from any other league worldwide.
“The Bundesliga holds a special place for Japanese football. It is a league that feels very familiar to us and serves as an important aspiration for many of our players who aim to compete on the world stage,” said Masakuni Yamamoto Chairman of the Technical Committee & National Team Director Japan Football Association (JFA).
“At the JFA, our focus extends beyond the FIFA World Cup four years from now. We must continue developing players who can compete consistently at the highest level of world football well into the future.
“In this context, we are delighted to have the opportunity, through Bundesliga Dream Japan, to launch a new initiative together with two historic clubs, Borus-sia Dortmund and Borussia Mönchengladbach. We hope the participating players will be inspired by directly experiencing a world-class player development environment and football culture.”
Through Bundesliga Dream Japan, the league reaffirms its commitment to developing young talent worldwide. The initiative represents a shared vision between the Bundesliga and the JFA to nurture the next generation of players, while strengthening cultural and sporting ties between the two nations.
