J-Football Journals Round-Up #5

While pondering in what exact direction I'd like this to go, I felt like the writing is right-at-home with the exploration of culture, football fans, and interesting tidbits about the J-League's history.

As a football scout and frequent J-League enthustiast, I sometimes cannot help but be immersed in a player's numbers. But recently I have indeed come to a conclusion that fan culture and the bigger image of aesthetics and history come out on top.

This issue will allow you not only to view some new points of interest on the University level of football in Japan, but also some immersion in the culture of the country's football standpoint.

Sit back and relax as we explore more JAPANESE FOOTBALL!

A Deep Mix of Europe, and USA.

American sports are often more casual. There is more advertisement and endorsement driven culture regarding the sport, while not only instilling a "sports" culture into the fanbase, it has it's own unique charm which European football does not have.

The latter, European football, is full of intense support from their fanbases and have ultra supporters, people who live and die for their clubs. While the USA doesn't neccessarily undertake measures like these, Japan takes inspiration from both sides of the big blue pond.

Intensity, matchday, excitement and energy is all part and parcel of a J-League game. The unpredictability of the league only injects more electricity and suspense to simple league matches. As seen in the third edition of the J-Football Journals round-up, you can see, how FC Tokyo celebrates summer night football.

Not only limited to Tokyo teams, there are sides such as Kyoto Sanga who offer opportunities to experience an amazing atmosphere at a football stadium. There are so many teams to pick from, in a young league, but alredy so choc-full of rich history implemented by the nature of Japan.

What is "The One Hundred Year Vision"?

To raise the level of Japanese football and promote the diffusion of the game through the medium of professional football. - j.league.jp

While only being 20 years old, the J-League plans to create a stamp on the history of football by becoming a properly established league. The country of Japan has an aim to become more established and involved in the sport, bringing not only better fan experiences, but also creating a steel resolve in their top players to compete.

"In the same way that British people have over time developed football to be a sport that is loved worldwide, with the J.League slogan “The One Hundred Year Vision” we hope Japanese citizens will be able to gain continued pleasure through sport, and that Japan and other Asian countries will unite to give football a new profile in the region." - The Japanese Embassy UK.

The British influence is strong, the history inspiring, the sport of football has become worldwide as more than just an activity, but a language. While cohesing business-savvy actions undertaken by Americans to maximise sporting income, the Japanese aim to inject the same level of passion the British have cultivated in 150 rich years of building traditional football.

Soccer? Or Football?

The age-old argument. Americans distinguish the sport from their beloved American Football pastime by calling it "soccer" - whereas in Japan, it is different. It's a case of differentiating, diversing, and sharing.

"While the word ‘soccer’ is used to describe the game in Japanese, the J.League and JFA use ‘football’ in their English-language material in order to better co-exist with the international community." - jleague.jp

As stated by the top football league in the country, the two names are diverse in the content between Japanese and English materials within the sports coverage, to avoid conflict and allow for a more peaceful approach.

Growing Interest in Japanese University Football

JFJ's very own friend and contact Jakub Kornecki has produced an immense report on Tsukuba University's hidden gem, Katsuma Fuse. The 18-year-old Japanese has left an impression on the Stal Rzesow Academy scout from Poland.

"A player that I find outstandingly smart in possession, but with lack of bravery part that could give him spotlight in the team. As much as he is the one to push forward, opening options, he also can be the one to slow the action with side/back passes"

As Tsukuba's 4-5-1 formation suit the fullback rather well, his movement upon executing passes and ability to overlap with instant effect caught Kornecki's eye. Scouts often have a keen eye on the idea of how a player executes habits which cannot be recorded on numerics or data, which is why Kornecki's report is a very good example.

Could Kotaro Uchino make the jump to Europe?

The prolific Tsukuba University striker Kotaro Uchino is one of the flagship names here on J-Football Journals. Having already garnered European training with Danish side Brondby, it is now known that Yuito Suzuki, their Japanese talisman, has signed on for SC Frieburg.

This opens a gate for young Uchino who has been on the club's radar for the last few months after undertaking trials with them. However, will the striker have what it takes to bring the same mindset and intensity to the much more demanding European Leagues?

We wish the striker all the best! Hope to see you on the big stage wherever it may be, Kotaro.

Urawa Red Diamonds in the Club World Cup

Soon, we will see the Red Diamonds take on River Plate in the Club World Cup. In what is sure to be an extremely interesting match-up, Urawa will need to face Monterrey (Mexico) and UEFA Champions League finalists Inter Milan (Italy) in a very strong group.

With squads requiring more depth to avoid injury and rest key players, we could potentially see JFJ-Identified Junpei Hayakawa make his mark on a good stage to prove his worth on.

As far as the J-League has been going, the Reds have not fielded many youth players instead opting for more seasoned veterans to take to the field.