Congratulations to Kenjin-Tatsujin Member Asako Takakura

The Japan women’s national football team, Nadeshiko Japan, has taken its second straight Women’s Asian Cup victory after beating Australia 1-0 in the tournament final held on the 20th April. The team, led by head coach and Ashinaga Kenjin-Tatsujin International Advisory Council member Asako Takakura, won the game with a decisive goal from Kumi Yokoyama, who was subbed on in the 72nd minute.

Asako Takakura’s relationship with Ashinaga started 6 years ago when Ashinaga held a charity football match between the Brazil women’s national football team and an under 17’s Tohoku women’s football team one year after the Great East Japan Earthquake disaster. At that time, Takakura was the coach for the under 16’s Japan women’s national football team but took time out from her busy schedule to coach the Tohoku team.

Ashinaga’s president, Yoshiomi Tamai, was moved by Takakura’s character, wisdom, and passion, and requested her to join the Kenjin-Tatsujin International Advisory Council, which supports the Ashinaga Africa Initiative (AAI).

With Nadeshiko Japan’s recent victories, they have qualified to play in the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup to be held in France next year. Nadeshiko Japan are once again aiming for the top, and Ashinaga is behind them 100%!