Along with the FIFA World Cup that Japan co-hosted in 2002, the J-League sparked interest among Japanese youth.
These events are also major contributors to why there are so many online bookmakers aimed at the Japanese audience in the present day. The emergence of the internet and more Japanese access to international football in the new millennium means many pro footballers there are looking further afield for fame, fortune and financial gain.
Japanese Players in Europe and England
Interestingly, the first Japanese footballer to play professionally in Europe preceded the J-League’s formation by 15 years. Yasuhiko Okudera represented 1. FC Köln in the German Bundesliga from 1977. In the EPL, Hidetoshi Nakata was the first with Bolton Wanderers in 2005/06, also scoring the first EPL goal by a Japanese player.
There are now over 250 Japanese footballers plying their trade in Europe. Three of these are currently contracted to Premier League clubs, so let’s look at how these players have fared in the EPL so far.
Wataru Endō (Liverpool)
Wataru Endō, Japan’s national team captain, joined Liverpool on 18 August this year. It didn’t take the defensive midfielder long to make his Premier League debut, as a substitute against Bournemouth at Anfield the next day. Endō was called upon to shore up the midfield after Alexis Mac Allister was sent off.
Although not a regular Liverpool starter, Endō’s experience has been invaluable to The Reds. He is certain to add to his 54 international caps by adding late-game stability to the Liverpool unit. Endō is the third Japanese player to represent Liverpool, after Takumi Minamino and their women’s team midfielder, Fūka Nagano.
Liverpool, with Endō’s help, are joint second favourites to win the Premier League behind defending champions Man City. Many bookmakers targeting Japan are offering odds of 5/1 on Wataru Endō’s team.
Takehiro Tomiyasu (Arsenal)
At 24, Tomiyasu is still trying to cement a spot in Arsenal’s starting lineup. Since his Premier League debut in September 2021, the defender has made 50 EPL appearances, mostly from the substitute’s bench. He marked his 50th league game in Arsenal’s colours with the last goal in the 5-0 drubbing of Sheffield United in October.
With Arsenal joining the Merseyside Reds at 5/1 in the EPL betting, the versatile Japanese defender could play a major part in Liverpool’s title challenge this season.
Tomiyasu first represented the Japanese national team as a 19-year-old, starting in a 3-0 win over Panama. He has gone on to win 36 caps for his country.
Kaoru Mitoma (Brighton)
The skillful and speedy winger from Kawasaki has been a revelation at Brighton & Hove Albion since the beginning of last season. Under the guidance of manager Roberto De Zerbi, Mitoma is one of The Seagulls’ top performers, leading to increasing interest from other EPL clubs.
Brighton finished sixth in the league last season, in no small part due to their Japanese star. At 250/1 odds, with Mitoma in their ranks, the attack-minded club is a notable outsider in the EPL betting.
At 26, an in-form Mitoma will add many more to the 17 Japanese caps he’s earned. His club manager believes he has the “quality to score 20 goals” per season, and he’s started well, netting three times in his first 10 league appearances this season.
In Closing
As football coverage and international exposure continue to grow in Japan, more footballers will leave their homes to cement careers in the richer leagues. Tomiyasu, Endō and Mitoma are good examples of these.
Don’t be surprised if the English Premier League includes many more Japanese players in the years to come.
