The Japanese Soccer League
　The second half of the Japanese Soccer League 1969 season, opened on September 5th at the National Stadium in Tokyo, with the game between Mitsubishi F.C. of Tokyo and the Nagoya Sogo Bank. The season will be concluded at the end of November.Each club played two games in the first half of September and will play the remaining five games in November after the preliminary tournament of the World Cup in Seoul in October.

　"Tcherno More" of Bulgaria
　 "Tcherno More", a Bulgarian football team, visited Japan to play three good-will matches in mid-September. At the National Stadium in Tokyo, the Bulgarians played a goalless draw in the first match, winning the second by 4-1 (0-1). In the third and final game in Kyoto, they won by 1-0(0-0).

　The Rhodesian Affair
　The Japanese Football Association reluctantly agreed with the decision of F.I.F.A.to change the system of elimination in the World Cup preliminary tournament for Group 15-1. F.I.F.A. had decided that Japan, Korea and Australia should compete in Seoul, with the winner to meet Rhodesia on a neutral ground. This decision was taken following the announcement of the Korean government that they would not grant entry visas to Rhodesians, since the condemnation of Rhodesia by a resolution of the United Nations. The Japanese F.A. had already protested to F.I.F.A. a year ago about Rhodesia's inclusion in the Asia and Oceania preliminary group, on the grounds that it is an African country.

　"Professionalism or No ?"
　 "Not now, but in the future" This is the answer given by almost every expert on Japanese football in this country, concerning the possibility of the introduction of professional football here. It is reported that, three years ago, Sir Stanley Rous recommended the introduction of professional football to further the development of soccer in Asia, and Hong Kong admitted professional players last year.
　 In Japan, since there has been a remarkable increase in the number of soccer spectators in recent years, certain men of initiative have planned the establishment and organisation of professional football clubs. However, the Japanese F. A. has ruled that it is not the time to grant them permission.
　On the other hand, some big commercial enterprises are planning to establish football schools for boys. The Hitachi Electric Company, the biggest enterprise in Japan, began, this summer, the promotion of schools and clubs for boys. Hitachi ?has been a member of the Japanese Soccer League for the past five years. Also, the Yomiuri Newspaper Company, with the widest circulation in Tokyo, has established its own football club and constructed three football grounds in the suburbs of Tokyo. It is co-operating with three other companies : the Nihon Television Networks, the Hochi daily sports paper and the Yomiuri-land recreation centre. All these companies are owned by Mr. Matsutaro Shoriki, who is known as a father of Japanese baseball.
　 If we were to ask them about professional football, they would answer : "Not now, but in the future".

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