The J-League, Japanese football’s league body, has signed a “special sponsorship” with existing title sponsor Meiji Yasuda Life Insurance Company in response to the Covid-19 pandemic.
The new agreement, from June 2020 to December 2021, will see the insurance brand work together with the league and clubs to promote health and help revitalise communities affected by Covid-19.
Meiji Yasuda has been the league’s title sponsor since 2015 and, in that time, has also signed individual sponsorship agreements with all 56 professional clubs via the company’s regional offices to engage in a variety of community activities.
The company said it aims to contribute to an environment where the J-League and the clubs can focus on their preparations to resume following the suspension of the top two divisions on February 26, less than one week after the season’s launch.
According to Japanese news reports, the J-League is targeting a restart in late June or early July behind closed doors, with an official announcement on the new schedule slated for today.
Among other safety measures, the J-League will limit travel between regions by initially scheduling matches featuring teams from the same area.
In publicising the new sponsorship, the J-League was presented with a photo montage of employees from the regional offices of Meiji Yasuda, each sending messages of encouragement to the league.
