J-Football Journals Round-Up #4

From the writer; My university dissertation is done and dusted! Graduation is in sight, future success is a bit more on the horizon, and I have the green-light to reignite J-Football Journals!

I'd like to take the chance to apologize for the prolonged absence of this issue. It's been a hectic month and an end to a lot of things in life, but also new beginnings.

Whether it be scouting, journalism, teaching or just flat out having fun drinking coffee outside, it's the small things I look forward to experiencing.

This issue is going to serve as a "back to the basics" and re-warm-up for the usual creative playground for my writer mind that is J-Football Journals.

You might find this a bit vanilla, but we'll recap on some of the rumors, news and records.

In addition to this, I've included a sneaky out-of-place segment on "Football Terminology" and why English language skills are important in the world of football recruitment and reporting.

I've been keen on enjoying green tea lately, so I recommend that to go with a bit of chill reading. Enjoy!

The Resurgence of Kyoto Sanga

After what was a slow start to the 2025 J-League season, the Kansai boys took it upon themselves to get back on track. The first game against Fagiano Okayama was slapped with a loss, while the next two matches would end upn draws - against Urawa and Kobe respectively.

However, a smash-and-grab win against Kawasaki, away, would see Kyoto jubilant with their 1-0 win. This almost definitely caused a realisation amongst the squad, and Kwi-Jea Cho's men marched on.

Since then, the Korean manager has masterminded a seven game unbeaten streak which was ended by Urawa in April. However even beyond that loss, at the time of writing, Kyoto have continuned to pick up points and have found themselves third in the J1.

A big defining factor in the feats of Kyoto has been Rafael Elias - who is pivotal in the tactics. The team normally deploys a 4-3-3 or 4-1-2-3, very attack minded formations, with Elias as the focal point.

While Elias is a constant goal threat and always on the scoresheet, he also contributes to the playmaking side of things. His xA stands at a 1.52 (via FotMob) and he has notched four assists which make up his total G/A tally, in which he leads the J-League with 12.

The 26-year-old striker is in his prime and has produced standout performances, with his value sitting at around £1.8 million, he can be considered a successful acquisition of an undervalued gem.

Meiji University Alumni Kumatoriya Scores for Verdy

Young Issei Kumatoriya was subbed on in the 66th minute, achieving a good feat with one effective tackle, two defensive actions, and seven total touches on the ball for the rest of the game period.

However, three of those touches and the single shot Kumatoriya Issei insisted on taking in stoppage time rewarded the youngster with a picture perfect curveball which floated into the back of the Yokohama FC net, pulling the final curtains on the game.

Having tracked Issei since his graduation from Meiji University to Tokyo Verdy, this is a great prospect for the 22-year-old winger who certainly showed immense ambition upon coming on.

Kawasaki Frontale Fall at Last Hurdle

Kawasaki saw out Ronaldo's Al Nassr to progress to the final of the AFC Chamions League Elite. Their resilience took them so far, but it was Al Ahli's Roberto Firmino who proved to shine the most in the moment, as he provided both assists which sunk the Japanese side.

The more punctual side won, however it is a great feat for the J-League to have had one of their top sides to feature in the final. Frontale have no shortage of talents such as Takai and Ozeki who continue to be courted by scouts.

Football Terminology: Is it important?

Applying it to a Japanese football perspective, there are lots of immense professionals in the world of work in the country. While business proficiency in the English languague is often desirable, it is more important than you think.

English is the "Lingua Franca" (commonly spoken language) in the business world. It is one of the most spoken languages in the world.

Due to ever-evolving football jargon and new statistics being brought to the table, scouts, analysts, reporters and journalists are crafty word-smiths. To convey an image in the mind of somebody reading your report, you must improvise...

Phrases such as "predominant" can help assert something which is more constant in an athlete - for example, the repeated use of the same pattern of movement. Sota Kitano is a prime example.

As Cerezo Osaka's attacking midfield ace, Kitano is able to make runs from behind "predominantly to the left". An effective phrase such as this is key in covering an in-depth characteristic of an athlete which may not be covered on statistic elements.

If you're looking to improve your "football english" - whether it is report writing, communications or business etiquette, feel free to contact me for a taster lesson, which I will be offering in the near future as a newly qualified teacher.

Spotlight on Sota

via @hochi_football on X.

One of JFJ's favourite and flagship J-League footballers, Sota Kitano, is a target for Austrian side RB Salzburg - and an offer has been reportedly made. But what could an induction to the RB Football set-up mean for the ace?

A jump into the Austrian league might mean a higher quality test of football in addition to the attractive prospect of playing in the UEFA European competitions next season. But success is never guaranteed, especially in a move more than 5000 miles away from home...

While the intitiative of European football is a promising one for any Japanese footballer, there is a great decision to be made. Kitano often finds himself as the focal point of the Cerezo attack, but most recently there has been a lacklustre amount of minutes...

Kitano was not in the squad in Cerezo's win over Vissel Kobe, while he only has a combined 60 minutes in the last three matches.

Whether this is because the young midfielder is leaving the club, is yet to be confirmed.

European Interest in Kota Takai

As the name Kota Takai is becoming a rather frequent conversation maker for scouts interested in the J-League, there has been a few European sides taking note of this. FC Copenhagen, Udinese are so far some of the first teams to have been named.

There is also rumoured Premier League interest in the player - with Takai being named on the Anfield Watch blog identifying him as a "centre-back made for Liverpool."

Whether any of these rumors will come to fruition, will remain to be seen in the European transfer window this summer.

16-Year-Old Yoshida Makes his Mark

Kashima Antlers' young spark Yoshida was given his debut for the first team in the J-League earlier last week. Although just a singular minute, it broke the record for the youngest appearance-maker for the side.

The Antlers brought the youngster on during a dominant 3-0 lead over a disillusioned Yokohama side who were already heading for a clear defeat.