The organisation was founded in 1921 as the , and became affiliated with FIFA in 1921. In 1945, the name of the organisation was changed to the ; its Japanese name was changed to the current title in 1975. This reflected common use of the word "sakkā" (���ー), derived from "soccer", rather than the older Japanese word "shūkyū" (��; literally "kick-ball"). The word "sakkā" gained popularity during the post-World War II occupation of Japan by the Allied powers. The association generally translates its name to "Japan Football Association" in English, though "Japan Soccer Association" is also used.