J-League considers lifting transfer restrictions

The new rule would allow teams to loan younger players throughout the year, allowing them opportunities to play instead of limiting them to the bench or practice squads.The J-League and Japan Football Association (JFA) this week announced the formation of a committee to discuss changes to the league's transfer system that would allow clubs to loan their young players at any time during the season.The lack of opportunities for younger players has increasingly weighed on J-League clubs since the closing of the Satellite League in 2010. Additionally, many clubs are reluctant to loan such players to other clubs in the event that they're needed to back up injured team-mates.One notable case is that of Nagoya Grampus striker Kensuke Nagai, who despite high expectations failed to find his way into the starting lineups at both his club and the Japan national team.In the new system, Division 1 teams would be allowed to loan players 23 years of age or younger to Division 2 teams at any time during the season, rather than being limited to the traditional winter and summer transfer windows. Successful implementation would give younger players more opportunities on the pitch, raising their abilities as well as helping to bolster Japan's youth strength ahead of the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics.The committee is aiming to form a flexible system in which loaned players would be able to return to their club at any time if needed, but is looking for a compromise so as to not burden J2 clubs with constantly-shifting rosters.The new rules are expected to be discussed between the J-League, member clubs, and the JFA for the rest of the year, before potential implementation in the 2013 season.In addition to the new transfer system, JFA technical director Hiromi Hara announced the association's decision to use its over-aged player slots for the upcoming London Olympics, as well as the possibility that Europe-based players such as Shinji Kagawa and Ryo Miyaichi could receive call-ups.