Paris Saint-Germain To Launch PSG Academy Network In Japan

Paris Saint-Germain has announced plans to expand its global youth development footprint with the launch of a new PSG Academy project in Japan, set to begin in April 2026.

The initiative will see the French champions establish five training sites across the Kanto and Tokai regions, developed in partnership with Japanese company Maruhei Co., Ltd. Four academies will open initially in Tokyo, Saitama, Ibaraki and Shizuoka, with a fifth location in Chiba scheduled to follow in September 2026. Once fully operational, the academies are expected to cater for up to 1,000 girls and boys aged between four and 15.

The project was formally unveiled on January 29 at an event hosted at the French Embassy in Tokyo, underlining the long-standing relationship between Paris Saint-Germain and both French and Japanese institutions. Among those in attendance were PSG Asia-Pacific Director Sébastien Wasels, former France international and club legend Claude Makélélé, and local academy representatives Takaaki Hirabayashi, President of PSG Academy Japan, and Technical Director Peter Kirov.

PSG Academy Japan will be open to children of all abilities and is expected to welcome around 300 participants during its initial phase. A three-year development plan aims to gradually increase that number as the network expands across all five sites. Training will be structured into three age groups: a pre-school section for children aged four to six, a junior programme for six- to 12-year-olds, and an elite pathway for players aged 12 and above.

According to the club, the academies will operate in line with Paris Saint-Germain’s global youth development model, combining football education with a broader focus on personal development. Players will train under programmes inspired by the club’s professional environment, built around technical skills, tactical understanding and the promotion of core values. Coaches involved in the project will be trained by PSG’s sports department in Paris to ensure consistency with the club’s methodology.

The launch marks another step in Paris Saint-Germain’s growing relationship with Japan, a market the club has identified as strategically important in Asia. PSG has steadily increased its presence in the country in recent years through retail operations, a supporters’ club and pre-season summer tours in 2022 and 2023.

Club officials say the academy project is intended not only to develop young footballers, but also to strengthen cultural and sporting ties with Japanese fans. By offering direct access to PSG’s training philosophy and values, the club hopes to establish a long-term presence within Japan’s football landscape and deepen its connection with the next generation of players and supporters.

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