J-Football Journals Round-Up #17

Welcome back! Today we've got TWO in-person experiences which we were lucky enough to see with our own two eyes.

A fruitful trip to Tokyo led us to experience more than what we've ever had - so please enjoy the 17th issue of J-Football Journals. Also, happy new year! Our website is now a year old, we''ve come a long way.

Here's to an amazing 2026.

Shunsuke Saito Completes Move to Belgium

Mito Hollyhock (Jleague.co)

J-Football Journals' long-courted player Shunsuke Saito has made the leap over to Europe as his parent side Mito Hollyhock bid farewell to J2.

A departure nothing short of a sweet ending, the Kanagawa-born will look to continue his form with Belgian side Westerlo.

Saito was named as one of the best eleven players of the 2025 J2 season thanks to his heroics which helped the Ibaraki side gain promotion. His current transfer value sits at 1 million euros (according to Tranfsermarkt).

Whether Saito will succeed in Europe is not only down to how he adapts to the tactics and intensity of the football, but also to the culture, weather and language of a foreign country.

However we have no doubt that flashes of brilliance will court the winger as someone to keep around for Westerlo.

Empress Cup Final - Nakashima's Heroics For Sanfrecce

@ Japan Wire

While a powerful INAC Kobe travelled to the National Stadium, it was Hiroshima Regina Sanfrecce who powered their way to their first-ever Empress Cup trophy in the end. But which players stood out?

J-Football Journals was present at the National Stadium to witness a fantastic match between two fluid sides - who both wanted the trophy,

J-Football Journals was present at the match

Several names took the centrestage but not all were on top of their game. Ever-present striker Riko Yoshida had a somewhat quiet match being more involved in the buildup rather than scoring.

In spells, it was INAC Kobe who looked dangerous - especially with the likes of young Mao Kubota - a rapid attacker with a bite. The 20-year-old attacker did not look nervous in a match of this stature which is quite frankly, impressive.

In a swift lunge for the ball after a skillful diagonal pass from the other wing, Kubota was able to slam the ball home to make it a 1-1 tie in the heat of the match. The young winger was jubilant in her celebration but it was far from over.

However the game matters most in the most pivotal moments. Delivering consistently throughout the match even in small events will often propel you to the crucial scenarios; and this is exactly what winger Yoshino Nakashima did.

The flashy talisman displayed an expertual ability of being able to push the ball past opponents only to change direction again - inside out, back in, then out again. The elite level of agility helped Sanfrecce not only dominate the wing, but also buy some time for extra players to enter the opposing half.

It was in stoppage time where the locked-in Nakashima was able to cap off a woman-of-the-match performance - a well-timed strike saw the ball hit the back of the net; effectively sinking INAC Kobe at their final hurdle.

After the game, she collected her award - starry-eyed, as if she did not believe what happened. It was a moment to remember for the fans, and Nakashima herself.

WE League Re-Starts on the 14th

With the WE League back in action soon, INAC Kobe will need to find momentum once more as Urawa Red Ladies are practically standing on their heel.

Jubilant cup winners Hiroshima Regina will face a period of excitement post-cup as they sit sixth, although INAC will need to avoid a slump in order to maintain a strong title charge.

Midfielder Miki Ito will be the driving force behind the pressure given to INAC with the Urawa Red Ladies only sitting a few points behind - despite last having fallen short of the win against the league leaders in a 2-1 deficit.

However dark horses Tokyo Beleza (3rd) - three points from second place - will also need to be considered a threat to both above them. Midfielders Yamamoto and Kanno have been running the midfield as of lately, both now in contention to be named as some of the most consistent players.

Nissan Stadium - The Biggest in Japan

A great friend of mine and I were treated to an amazing English tour of the Nissan Stadium - a place where three sports finals were held.

The Japanese tour guide - a humble old woman - deserves a shout-out. Her passion for the sport and the Marinos shone through her speeches; her English proficiency extremely high.

Gordon and I were treated to club spectacles of the Yokohama Marinos - worn shirts, goal plaques, the dressing rooms.

But there were also dear pieces of history; the untouched game-plan board of the Brazilian side that ran out winners over Germany in the World Cup final of 2002, courtesy of Luiz Felipe Scolari.

The legendary game plan.

Although the giant stadium overlooking Yokohama reminded me of a struggling giant - the Yokohama F. Marinos. The fans will look to a resurgent 2026, beginning with the upcoming 100-year-vision league.

But the question that spawned on the back of this sublime tour was...

Can Yokohama Marinos bring some glory back to the legendary Nissan Stadium?

U23 Asian Cup Spotlight - Japan U23

Sofascore.com

Japan U23 - which were more like an U20s side, with barely any players over the age of 21, seemed to run riot over the likes of Syria.

Spearheaded by Ryunosuke Sato in an unusual number ten role, the now-FC Tokyo boy was able to find the net twice in a man-of-the-match performance.

There were several other interesting names on the team-sheet such as FC Imabari's promising fullback Rei Umeki. Rion Ichihara, who was formerly of Liverpool FC interest started at right-centre-back.

Kawasaki Frontale's midfield gem Yuto Ozeki was present as he chipped in with the first goal of the game in the tenth minute - later blowing the game open as Syria could not find their way back in.

Rui Araki was in net as he kept a clean sheet - the Gamba Osaka goalkeeper was once on trial with Ajax Amsterdam; clearly showing flashes of quality so early at 18 years old.

The entire backline bar Umeki - including the goalkeeper - were teenagers. It goes to show how quickly Japanese footballers mature and are able to uphold high standards and demanding mental pressure so early on.