Empress's Cup Explained

Number Of Teams:	48
Region:	Japan (Asia)
Current Champions:	INAC Kobe Leonessa (7th title)
Most Successful Club:	Nippon TV Tokyo Verdy Beleza (16 titles)
Broadcasters:	NHK BS1 JFATV
Current:	2023 Empress's Cup

, since 2018 renamed "Empress's Cup JFA Japan Women's Football Championship" (Japanese: 皇后杯 JFA 全日本女子サッカー選手権大会) or The JFA Empress's Cup (from 2024 onwards), is a Japanese Women's football competition. As an elimination tournament, it can be considered the female counterpart to the men's Emperor's Cup in Japan. The name "Empress's Cup" has been used since the 2012 season as the Empress's Cup trophy was founded in that year.^[1]

From 2004 to 2011 season (New Year's Day of 2005 to 2012), the final was played on New Year's Day at the National Olympic Stadium in Tokyo before the Emperor's Cup final, and was regarded as the traditional closing match of the season. Since 2012, the final has been played separately from the Emperor's Cup final.^[2]

Past winners

Past winners are:^[3]

Year	Winner	Result	Runners-up
1979 (Final)		2–1	Takatsuki F.C. Ladies
1980 (Final)		2–0	F.C. Jinnan
1981 (Final)		6–0	F.C. PAF
1982 (Final)		6–0	F.C. Jinnan
1983 (Final)		2–0	Takatsuki F.C. Ladies
1984 (Final)		4–0	Takatsuki F.C. Ladies
1985 (Final)		5–1	Takatsuki F.C. Ladies
1986 (Final)		1–0	Yomiuri S.C. Ladies Beleza
1987 (Final)		2–0	Shimizu Dai-hachi S.C.
1988 (Final)		2–0	Takatsuki F.C. Ladies
1989 (Final)		1–0	Shimizu F.C. Ladies
1990 (Final)		3–3 (4–1 pen)	Suzuyo Shimizu F.C. Lovely Ladies
1991 (Final)		0–0 (3–1 pen)	Yomiuri S.C. Ladies Beleza
1992 (Final)		1–0	Yomiuri S.C. Ladies Beleza
1993 (Final)		2–0	Prima Ham F.C. Kunoichi
1994 (Final)		4–1	Nikko Securities Dream Ladies
1995 (Final)		3–2	Yomiuri-Seiyu Beleza
1996 (Final)		3–0	Yomiuri-Seiyu Beleza
1997 (Final)		1–0	Prima Ham F.C. Kunoichi
1998 (Final)		1–0	Nikko Securities Dream Ladies
1999 (Final)		0–0 (4–2 pen)	Prima Ham F.C. Kunoichi
2000 (Final)		2–1	Tasaki Perule F.C.
2001 (Final)		2–1 (a.e.t.)	Tasaki Perule F.C.
2002 (Final)		1–0	NTV Beleza
2003 (Final)		2–2 (5–3 pen)	NTV Beleza
2004 (Final)		3–1	Saitama Reinas F.C.
2005 (Final)		4–1	Tasaki Perule F.C.
2006 (Final)		2–0	Okayama Yunogo Belle
2007 (Final)		2–0	Tasaki Perule F.C.
2008 (Final)		4–1	INAC Leonessa
2009 (Final)		2–0	Urawa Red Diamonds Ladies
2010 (Final)		1–1 (3–2 pen)	Urawa Red Diamonds Ladies
2011 (Final)		3–0	Albirex Niigata Ladies
2012 (Final)		1–0	JEF United Ichihara Chiba Ladies
2013 (Final)		2–2 (4–3 pen)	Albirex Niigata Ladies
2014 (Final)		1–0	Urawa Red Diamonds Ladies
2015 (Final)		1–0	Albirex Niigata Ladies
2016 (Final)		0–0 (5–4 pen)	Albirex Niigata Ladies
2017 (Final)		3–0	Nojima Stella Kanagawa Sagamihara
2018 (Final)		2–2 (2-0 ET)	INAC Kobe Leonessa
2019 (Final)		1–0	Urawa Red Diamonds Ladies
2020 (Final)		4–3	Urawa Red Diamonds Ladies
2021 (Final)		1–0	JEF United Ichihara Chiba Ladies
2022 (Final)		4–0	INAC Kobe Leonessa
2023 (Final)		1–1 (6–5 pen)	Urawa Red Diamonds Ladies

See also

• Football in Japan
• Women's football in Japan
• Japan Football Association (JFA)
• Japanese association football league system
• WE League (I)
• Nadeshiko League
  • Nadeshiko League Division 1 (II)
  • Nadeshiko League Division 2 (III)
• Regional Leagues (IV)
• Empress's Cup (National Cup)
• Nadeshiko League Cup (League Cup)

External links

• Official website, JFA.jp

Notes and References

1. Web site: 大会新名称を「皇后杯全日本女子サッカー選手権大会」に決定 〜「第34回 皇后杯全日本女子サッカー選手権大会」概要、組合せのお知らせ〜. The new title is "Empress's Cup All-Japan Women's Soccer Championship Tournament" - Outline and tournament bracket of the 34th Empress's Cup All-Japan Women's Soccer Championship Tournament. Japan Football Association. 25 October 2012. 28 October 2012.
2. Web site: 第34回全日本女子サッカー選手権大会 大会概要 〜11月23日に開幕、決勝はNACK5スタジアム大宮開催決定〜. About the 34th All-Japan Women's Soccer Championship Tournament - starting on 23 November, the final at NACK5 Stadium Omiya. Japan Football Association. 19 June 2012. 17 November 2012.
3. Web site: Japan - List of Women Champions. RSSSF. 8 September 2011.