Japan is not one of the countries that is regarded as a soccer nation, but that is notwithstanding that the country does not have soccer players.
Well, not just producing soccer players does Japan do, the Asian country also grooms their soccer players into playing at a top level in clubs in Europe such as Arsenal, Freiburg, Brighton, Stuttgart, Metz, Borussia M’gladbach, Bochum, Bayern Munchen II, and others.
However, I will be sharing with you, the best soccer players in Japan that you did not know, hence, without wasting time, let us proceed –
READ: 8 Best Soccer Players Who Wear Number 10
10 Best Soccer Players In/From Japan
1. Takehiro Tomiyasu
First on our list of the best soccer players in Japan is Takehiro Tomiyasu who plays as a defender (right-wing back) for Arsenal.
Takehiro Tomiyasu is a Japanese who was born in Fukuoka on the 5th of November, 1998. The Japanese International is now 24 and has helped Arsenal in their race for the Premier League title.
Tomiyasu started his professional career in 2018 at Avispa to Sint-Truiden to Bologna and is now in Arsenal. He has been impressive for the Londoners under the tactical management of Mikel Arteta. However, injuries have hampered his progress in the team and in the Premier League.
2. Kaoru Mitoma
Sidelining Takeriho Tomiyasu, Kaoru Mitoma is the only Japanese left in the English Premier League. The was born in May 1997 (25 years old) and is regarded as a take-on specialist by the Premier League fans due to his dribbling skills and speed.
So far, the Brighton & Hove Albion winger is having a great career having started his professional career in Tsukuba at R. Union SG and now at Brighton. The player has entered the limelight this 2022/23 season for being very efficient against opposition defenses when deployed from the flanks for the Amex outfit.
He has been one of the most improved attackers in the Premier League in 2023 and hopefully, he can stay consistent. However, it remains to be seen if he won’t be snapped up by a bigger club at the end of the season.
3. Takefusa Kubo
Other than playing in the English Premier League, other Japanese players play in the Laliga, of which Takefusa Kubo is one of a kind.
Takefusa Kubo is one of the best soccer players in Japan and plays for Real Sociedad. The Japanese International was born on 4 June 2001 and is noted as a midfielder whose left leg strike wows everyone.
Moreover, the player has spent most career seasons playing for La Liga clubs such as Real Madrid, Mallorca, Getafe, Real Madrid, Villareal, and Real Madrid II.
READ: 100% Sure Football Predictions For Today
4. Ritsu Doān
Another best soccer player in Japan is Ritsu Doān who is 24 years old and was birthed on 16 June 1998.
The Japanese player is a notable attacker that plays passionately for Freiburg in the Bundesliga. Doān started his soccer professional career at Gamba to other clubs such as PSV and Bielefeld before securing a move to Freiburg.
5. Hiroki Ito
Hiroki Ito is another Japanese player that you might not have known. For a while now, Hiroki Ito has played as a defender for Stuttgart being transferred from Júbilo for a fee of £400k.
The player was born on 12 May 1999 and has spent most of his time playing at the top level for Sttugart and Júbilo.
6. Wataru Endo
Sixth on our list of the best soccer players in Japan is Wataru Endo who plays as a midfielder and winger for Stuttgart.
Wataru Endo is a Japanese who was birthed in Yokohama on the 9th of February 1993. The Japanese International is now 30 and has helped Sttugart to be productive on and off the pitch
Endo started his professional career in 2016 at Shonan to Sint-Truiden to Stuttgart.
7. Yuito Suzuki
Yuito Suzuki is another Japanese that has played in the Ligue 1.
The player was born in October 2001 (21 years old) and is regarded as a take-on specialist who had shown his masterclass in Ligue 1.
So far, the Stuttgart midfielder is having a great career having started his professional career in Shimizu.
READ: Over 1.5 Goals Predictions
8. Koki Saito
Other than playing in the English Premier League, other Japanese players play in the Eredivisie which Koki Saito is one of a kind.
Koki is one of the best soccer players in Japan and plays for Sparta Rotterdam.
The Japanese International was born on 10 August 2001 and is noted as a midfielder whose right leg strike wows everyone. Moreover, the player has spent most career seasons playing for Eredivisie.
9. Kaito Mizuta
Another best soccer player in Japan is Kaito Mizuta who is 23 years old and was birthed on 08 April 2000.
The Japanese player is a notable midfielder that plays passionately for Mainz 05 in the Bundesliga. Kaito started his soccer professional career at Straelen to Mainz 05.
10. Yūta Nakayama
Yūta is another Japanese player that you might not have known. For a while now, Nakayama has played as a defender for Huddersfield in the English Championship.
The player was born on 16 February 1997 and has spent most of his time playing at the top level for Huddersfield. He suffered a setback in 2022 when he was ruled out of the Qatar 2022 World Cup due to an injury he sustained before the tournament began. It was a very big miss for the defender.
11. Hide Vitalucci
Eleventh on our list of the best soccer players in Japan is Hide Vitalucci who plays as an attacker for Pergolettese.
Hide is a Japanese who was birthed in Japan on 1 January 2001. The Japanese International is now 21 and has helped Pergolettese in different aspects of soccer. Hide started his professional career in 2021 at Frosinone to Pergolettese.
READ: Sure BTTS Predictions For Today
12. Ko Itakura
Ko Itakura is the another Japanese in the Bundesliga. The player was born on 27 January 1997 (26 years old) and is regarded solid defender.
So far, the Borussia M’gladbach is having a great career having started his professional career in Kawasaki to Manchester City to Borussia M’gladbach.
13. Takuma Asano
Other than playing in the English Premier League and Laliga other Japanese players plays in the Bundesliga which Takuma Asano is one of a kind.
Takuma is one of the best soccer players in Japan and plays for Bochum. The Japanese International was born on 10 November 1994 and is noted as an attacker who is very clinical.
Moreover, the player has spent most career seasons playing for Bochum in the Bundesliga.
14. Takuriho Nakai
Another best soccer player in Japan is Takuriho Nakai who is 19 years old and was birthed in 2003.
The Japanese player is a notable midfielder that plays passionately for Real Madrid II in the Primera Division. Nakai started his soccer professional career at Real Madrid II in 2021.
15. Robert Cullen
Robert Cullen is another Japanese player that you might not have known. For a while now, Robert has played as an attacker for Leatherhead being transferred from Júbilo.
The player was born on 7 June 1985 and has spent most of his time playing at the top level for Leatherhead and Júbilo.
Final Words
This post has thrown more light on the best Japanese players in the present footballing era, both at home and abroad. Do well to leverage this information and check these players out to see how well they perform at club level.