Photo/Illutration Megumi Takase, center, celebrates her goal with her INAC Kobe Leonessa team in the game against Omiya Ardija VENTUS at Noevir Stadium Kobe on Sept. 12. (Takuya Tanabe)

KOBE--Megumi Takase scored the first goal of the WE League that made its debut as the nation's first female professional soccer league on Sept. 12.

Takase, a former member of the national squad, shot one more goal and fellow teammate and forward Maika Hamano, 17, also scored two goals to lead their team INAC Kobe Leonessa to victory over Omiya Ardija VENTUS, with 5-0 showing in the opening game held at Noevir Stadium Kobe.

Before the game, Kikuko Okajima, chair of the league, gave a speech to commemorate the inauguration of the WE League, which stands for Women Empowerment League.

“We are opening a new page of the history of Japan’s female sports,” she said. “We are moving forward the gender equality in Japan.”

Okajima also said the WE League will offer a stage for people striving to build a society where diversity and having dreams will be valued.

WE League comprises 11 clubs. It will have two seasons, fall and spring. The winner’s prize will be 20 million yen ($183,400), the same sum for the winning team in the J2 League, the second division of the Japan Professional Football League for men.

The Nadeshiko League, an amateur league for women, comes under the WE League.

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