The Academies at the likes of Manchester United, Liverpool and Arsenal, are a central part of The FA's Charter for Quality Programme introduced in 1998 and have inspired Japanese clubs Jubilo Iwata, FC Tokyo, Yokohama F-Marinos, Nagoya Grampus Eight, Gamba Osaka Sanfrecce Hiroshima and current champions Kashima Antlers to establish academies for the 2002 season.

J-League Chairman Saburo Kawabuchi commented: "England has some of the best sides in football, thanks largely to their youth systems. Japan has to do the same if we want to compete on a world level," he said.

"If Japan wants to have the same ambitions, we have to make sure that players are given the right training from a very early age."

Japan's interest in the English game has come from months of liaison with The Football Association.

"Over the past two years there has been regular contact between us and Japan at league and national level" explained Howard Wilkinson, The FA's Technical Director.

He continued, "The relationship has resulted in their interest of our Academies and Coaching Education,

"We've talked at length and they have been to visit academies and national team training sessions and have been impressed by our systems and are now going to incorporate it in their country"

Wilkinson called it a "Pat on the back for The Football Association and our Clubs".

Jamie Bradbury