Yoshimi Yamashita, who has been selected as a referee for the Soccer World Cup, which will start in November, has signed a professional contract with the Japan Football Association as a referee for the first time as a woman.
Mr. Yamashita is the first woman to be a candidate for referee at the World Cup Qatar soccer tournament, which will start in November.
The Japan Football Association has signed a professional contract with Mr. Yamashita as a referee from the 1st of next month to the end of January next year.
According to the association, there are a total of 30 referees who have signed professional contracts, but this is the first time for a woman.
Mr. Yamashita is 36 years old.
He was the first female referee in the women's match at the Tokyo Olympics last year, the Asian Champions League in April for the men's match, and the J2 match on the 10th of this month.
Until now, Mr. Yamashita used to train while working at a sports facility after finishing work, but from now on, he will concentrate on the activities of the referees.
Mr. Yamashita, who was interviewed online, said, "I'm really happy that women have opened up a professional path. I'm still working hard on refereeing activities and preparing for training and games, but I'm still a referee. It is clear that we have an environment in which we can concentrate. We want to work with a firm awareness. "