Semi League Cup planned
　The first division clubs, of the Japanese League will take part in a special tournament in April and May without their national players. This semi League-Cup competition was planned to take place while the national players attend a training centre in April, for the World Cup preliminary tournament in May. The opening of the First Division League programme has been postponed until July.

　Mini-football promoted
　Five-a-side football was promoted recently at an indoor stadium in Tokyo. Eight league clubs were invited by the Japanese Football Association to demonstrate mini-football. It was planned to show how to develop easier soccer for young boys.

　China or Taiwan
　Three chief officials of the Japanese Football Association visited Peking, in the People's Republic of China, in late March and early April. They were Dr. Yuzuru Nozu, the President, Mr. Shizuo Fujita, the Executive Director and Mr. Akira Oki, Secretary of the J.F.A. ?It is said that their tour was part of Japan's effort to improve relations between that country and international football circles.
　Just before their departure for Peking, the comment on the Chinese problem by the FIFA president, Sir Stanley Rous, was reported to the press. His viewpoint was not optimistic. It was reported that although FIFA could accept membership of the Football Association of the People's Republic of China, it would not be possible to expel the Football Association of the Republic of China (Taiwan), because the latter had in no way violated FIFA regulations. On the other hand, the Peking organization has always insisted on the expulsion of the Taiwan organization and it is, therefore, unlikely that the Peking Association will submit its application to rejoin FIFA while Taiwan is still affiliated.
　Sir Stanley's opinion is that two football associations should be admitted from China as with the two Germanys and the two Koreas which are all affiliated to FIFA. However China can claim that its case is different from that of the two Germanys or the two Koreas. North and South Korea as East and West Germany are separate and independent countries formed as a result of international agreements. The fact that they may, at some future time, be reunited, has no bearing on the matter. Alternatively, the existence of two Chinese organizations a temporary result of a continuing civil war.
　The reality of the situation is that a land of seven hundred million people, a quarter of the world's population, is still not represented in international football activities-atragedy for the World Game. It seems logical that the Peking Association should represent Chinese football, but if it were to be accepted, what would be the fate of those footballers who are living in Taiwan? A possible solution is to admit Peking as China's representative and solve Taiwan's problem by treating it as a domestic matter under the auspices of FIFA.
　Of course any kind of solution should be discussed at the FIFA Congress, but it seems possible that the Executive Committee will grant special dispensation to the affiliated National Associations to hold friendly matches with the People's Republic of China pending the drafting of a solution at the next congress. It is believed that the Japanese Football Association is working along these lines in its efforts to solve the problem.

■