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A photo of Junichi Inamoto by TAKA@P.P.R.S –

10 of the Best Japanese soccer players

In recent years, Japanese footballers have joined European clubs. This means that Japan as a country is very serious about nurturing sportsmen, especially in football. The inclusion of Japanese players in the European clubs has made the game grow increasingly popular throughout the country.

Our highlight player today is  Junichi Inamoto.  He is Arsenal’s first Japanese player. He played as a midfielder In the article is ten of the best Japanese soccer players.

1. Takumi Minamino

A photo of Takumi Minamino by Werner100359 –

Takumi Minamino was born on 16 January 1995. He is a Japanese professional footballer who plays as an attacking midfielder or winger for Ligue 1 club Monaco and the Japan national team. Minamino began his club career at J.League Division 1 club Cerezo Osaka in 2012.

In his first season, Minamino was named J.League Rookie of the Year. In 2014 he moved to the Austrian club Red Bull Salzburg with whom he spent four successful seasons. Following impressive displays, for the club, he joined Liverpool on 1 January 2020.

Minamino made his senior international debut for Japan in 2015. Minamino starred in the team that reached the final of the 2019 AFC Asian Cup.

2. Yuki Soma

Yuki Soma was born on 25 February 1997. He is a Japanese soccer player who plays as a striker for Nagoya Grampus and the Japan national team. He played for two teams in his youth career which were; Fuda SC and Mitsubishi Yowa Chofu.

In his senior career, Yuki represented two teams; Nagoya Grampus and Kashima Antlers where he is currently on loan. Yuki Soma has made a total of 61 appearances bagging seven goals for the clubs he has played for.

3. Maya Yoshida

A photo of Maya Yoshida by Светлана Бекетова –

Maya Yoshida was born in 1988 on August 24th. He is a Japanese footballer who plays as a center-back for Bundesliga club Schalke 04 and he is also the captain of the Japan national team. In his youth career, Maya played for Nagoya Grampus from the year 2001 to 2006.

In his senior career, Maya has played for five teams namely; Nagoya Grampus, VVV-Venlo, Southampton, Sampdoriaand, and is now at Schalke 04. Maya has made a total of 351 appearances scoring 19 goals for the clubs he has played for.

4. Shuto  Machino

Shuto Machino was born on 30th September 1999. He is a Japanese professional soccer player playing as a forward for Shonan Bellmare and the Japan national team. At his current club Shonan Bellmare, Machino has bagged 12 goals and registered 4 assists.

In his youth care career, Machino represents two teams; FC Nakase SS, and FC Avenida Sol then he proceeded to a senior career where was as played for three teams; Yokoha ma F. Marinos, Giravanz Kitakyu, shu, and Shonan Bellmare where he has made 106 appearances for the clubs.

5. Shinji Kagawa

A photo of Shinji Kagawa by Светлана Бекетова –

Shinji Kagawa was born on March 17, 1989. He is a professional Japanese player who also played for the Japan national team. He is a midfield maestro who currently plays for Belgian First Division A club Sint-Truiden.

In his youth career, Kagawa represented three clubs; Marin o FC, Kobe NK Football, Club, and FC Miyagi Barcelona.

During  his senior career, he has played for eight clubs: Cerezo Osaka, Borussia Dortmund, Manchester United, Borussia Dortmund II, Besiktas, Zaragoza, Paok and currently at Sint-Truiden. He has made a total of 371 appearances bagging 110 goals.

6. Shinji  Okazaki

A photo of Shinji Okazaki by Ольга Степиньш –

Shinji Okazaki was born on April 16, 1986. He is a Japanese professional footballer who plays as a forward or attacking midfielder for the Spanish club Cartagena and the Japan national team.

In his career, he has played for five teams; Shimizu S-Pulse, Stuttgart, Mainz, Leicester City, and Huesca.  Okazaki has made a total of 400 appearances bagging home 105 goals.

Okazaki was in the Shimizu S-Pulse team who finished as runners-up in J.League Cup in 2008, and Emperor`s Cup in 2005 and 2010.

7. Mao Hosoya

Mao Hosoya was born on 7th September 2001. He is a Japanese professional footballer who plays as a forward for Kashiwa Reysol.

He has only played for one club Kashiwa Reysol in his youth and senior career making 46 appearances and scoring nine goals for the club. He is one of the talented prospects from Japan and many are counting on him to become a star player shortly.

8. Takuma Ominami

A photo of Reysol players by Kanarisaye78 –

Takuma Ominami was born on 13th December 1997. He is a professional Japanese soccer player who plays for Kashiwa Reysol.

In his career, Ominami has represented two clubs namely; Jubilo Iwata and Kashiwa Reysol. He made 28 appearances for Jubilo Iwata although he did not score any single goal. Miami was on the winning team Japan that won the EAFF Championship.

9. Ryuta  Koike

Ryuta Koike was born on 29 August 1995. He is a Japanese footballer who plays as a right back for J1 League Club Yokohama FC. In his youth career, Ryuta played for JFA Academy Fukushima.

He proceeded to a senior career where he has played for four clubs so far. The clubs are; Renofa Yamaguchi, Kashiwa Reysol, KSC Lokeren, and currently Yokohama F. Marinos. In his career, he has made a total of 229 appearances and scored 12 goals for the clubs represented.

10. Takehiro Tomiyasu

A photo of Takehiro Tomiyasu by Amir Ostovori –

Takehiro Tomiyasu was born on November 5th, 1998. He is a Japanese professional footballer who plays as center-back or right-back for Premier League Club Arsenal. In his youth career, he represented the Avispa Fukuoka club.

In his senior career, he has played for four clubs; Avispa Fukuoka, Sint-Truidense, Bologna, and Arsenal. Tomiyasu has made a total of 183 appearances for the clubs he has played for. He has scored 5 goals and registered 25 assists.

As you can see, Japan is doing a great job in producing perfect talents that perform well. There is hope that Japan’s Samurai Blue is quite loaded with football mercenaries and so the 2022 FIFA World Cup must be interesting