A Dynasty Built on Trophies and Talent
Nippon TV Tokyo Verdy Beleza is the most decorated and historically significant women’s football club in Japan. Based in the capital city of Tokyo, the club was founded in 1981. It began as the women’s section of the famous Yomiuri Soccer Club. Known simply as “Beleza“, a name from the Portuguese word for “beautiful woman,” the club has forged a legacy of unparalleled success. Beyond its vast trophy cabinet, Beleza is famous for its elite youth academy, the Menina. This academy has consistently produced Japan’s most talented players for generations. It is the primary engine of development for the national team.
Context: The WE League
Beleza is a founding member of the WE League, Japan’s first fully professional women’s football competition, which was established in 2021. The league represents the pinnacle of the sport in the country, and Beleza’s participation underscores its status as a foundational club in Japanese football. For a complete overview of the competition, explore our official WE League Hub.
The Beleza Way: Philosophy and Identity
Beleza’s identity is deeply connected to its parent club, Tokyo Verdy. It shares the core colour of green and a pioneering spirit. The club’s vision is to become the “world’s No. 1 comprehensive club.” It aims to build a team from the capital that can compete at the highest global level.
- Club Name: The name “Beleza” is Portuguese for “beautiful woman,” reflecting a commitment to a skillful and attractive style of play.
- Home Stadium: The club plays most of its home matches at Ajinomoto Field Nishigaoka.
- Core Values: Beleza operates under four key values: being a pioneer, proceeding with ambition, seeking diversity, and maintaining sustainability. This philosophy guides its dual mission of winning titles and developing world-class players.
Logo Evolution Showcase:
Rivalries Forged at the Top
Decades of dominance have created intense rivalries with other top clubs in Japan. These matches are often the most anticipated fixtures of the season.
- Urawa Red Diamonds Ladies: The rivalry with Urawa Reds Ladies is one of the most significant in the league. For years, the two clubs battled for supremacy, with their matches often deciding the league title.
- INAC Kobe Leonessa: As another of Japan’s “big three” clubs, INAC Kobe Leonessa has been a constant challenger. The rivalry intensified in the early 2010s when several key Beleza stars, including Homare Sawa and Shinobu Ohno, transferred to INAC Kobe.
Club History: A Legacy of Trophies
Beleza’s history is a story of sustained excellence. The club has consistently been at the pinnacle of Japanese women’s football since its inception.
Foundation and Early Years (1981-1989)
Founded in 1981 as Yomiuri Soccer Club Women’s Beleza, the team was first created for female fans of the men’s club. It quickly evolved into a competitive team with full-scale coaching. By 1984, it had earned promotion to the Tokyo League Division 1. The club won its first major trophies by securing back-to-back Empress’s Cups in 1987 and 1988.
Nadeshiko League Dominance (1989-2020)
Beleza was a founding member of the Nadeshiko League, Japan’s topflight, in 1989. The club immediately established itself as a powerhouse, winning four consecutive championships from 1990 to 1993. This period cemented its status as a titan of the sport. The club achieved remarkable feats during this era, including a “quadruple crown” in 2007 and five consecutive league titles from 2015 to 2019. In 2019, Beleza won the AFC Women’s Club Championship, completing a historic quadruple-title year.
The WE League Era (2021-Present)
Beleza joined the professional WE League as a founding member for the 2021-22 season. The club adopted its current name, Nippon TV Tokyo Verdy Beleza. After a brief title drought in the league’s initial seasons, the team reclaimed its position at the top. Beleza won its first WE League championship in the 2024–25 season.
Nippon TV Tokyo Verdy Beleza Major Honours
Beleza is, by a significant margin, the most successful club in the history of Japanese women’s football. The club has won an incredible 52 major domestic and continental titles.
- AFC Women’s Club Championship (1): 2019
- WE League (1): 2024–25
- Nadeshiko League Division 1 (Record 17): 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2010, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019
- Empress’s Cup (Record 16): 1987, 1988, 1993, 1997, 2000, 2004, 2005, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2014, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2022
- Nadeshiko/WE League Cup (Record 8): 1996, 1999, 2007, 2010, 2012, 2016, 2018, 2019
(Data sourced from official JFA and WE League records).
Key Players & Club Legends
Beleza’s greatest contribution to Japanese football may be its ability to produce world-class talent. This success is driven by its famed youth system.
The Menina Academy: A Talent Factory
Beleza’s youth academy, “Menina,” trains players from middle school to high school age. It is widely regarded as the premier talent factory in the nation. Its philosophy emphasizes tactical intelligence and a fluid, passing-based style of play. This approach has produced a long line of Japan’s greatest-ever players.
Legends of the Game
The Menina academy has been the starting point for national heroes and international stars who have excelled in top global leagues.
Homare Sawa: A National Icon
Widely considered the greatest Japanese female footballer of all time, Homare Sawa began her senior career at Beleza. Her leadership and skill were instrumental in Japan’s 2011 FIFA Women’s World Cup victory.
Aya Miyama: The Midfield Maestro
Another product of the Beleza system, Aya Miyama was known for her exceptional technique and set-piece delivery. She was a key figure for the national team for over a decade.
Yui Hasegawa: The Modern Engine
A star of the current generation, Yui Hasegawa developed her creative and technical skills at Beleza before becoming a standout player for Manchester City in the English Women’s Super League.
Risa Shimizu: The Defensive Dynamo
Risa Shimizu is a tenacious and reliable full-back, Shimizu was a long-serving captain for Beleza before moving to England, where she has played for West Ham United and Manchester City.
Other notable graduates who have made an impact in Europe include Mana Iwabuchi, Riko Ueki, and Aoba Fujino.
Conclusion: The Future of the Beleza
Nippon TV Tokyo Verdy Beleza is more than a football club. It is a foundational pillar of the women’s game in Japan. Its record-breaking trophy collection speaks to a culture of winning that spans decades. Its unwavering commitment to the Menina academy has made it the single most important source of talent for the national team. As it competes in the professional WE League, Beleza continues to shape the future of Japanese football, blending its winning tradition with a peerless ability to nurture the next generation of stars.