Japanese University Football? - Diamonds In The Rough

While the all-stars of the J-League and academy products make their mark on TV all over the world, many people think of what's in front of them, shown on top of the pyramid. But there is something more to Japanese football than just the top-flight...

Japanese footballers have a quality mentality allowing them to adapt to most tactical plans, discipline, and organisation - but what makes this?

In the USA there is a heavy emphasis on education providing homegrown talent to play football at an elevated level, in contrast, in Europe there is a more academy-oriented youth production system.

But the Japanese system combines one and two together.

In this article, I explain why I firmly believe that university football, in addition to the academies, is an important part of Japanese Football's identity.

Japanese Univesity football is something held at high regard by lots of professionals and scouts - but of course, there is never enough attention surrounding what is a goldmine of talent.

While at such a level there is always raw untapped talent, most of these players adapted determined attitudes to learn - as it comes, being a student.

You can watch the Kanto University Football League - the JUFA - here.

Many Japanese players abroad have these roots. One of the most recent names on the top of everyone's tongue; Kaoru Mitoma. The winger later turned out for Kawasaki Frontale and then Brighton & Hove Albion in the heights of the Premier League.

While there are more Japanese players reaching the heights of Europe than ever, there is still unfulfilled potential within the ranks of education football in the country.

Players that complete education and then take the leap to professional football have something to rely on whether their career takes a turn, or upon retirement.

Learn more about some of the notable players which have come from University football, amongst new names to keep track of, below.

Meiji University

Enter Meiji University - a university in the heart of Chiyoda City, Tokyo, which dons a four-time championship winning football side with some presitigous names amongst its alumni.

Yuto Nagatomo, an intense and experienced full-back who plied his trade with Inter Milan (Italy) and Galatasaray (Turkey) - now turning out in red and blue for FC Tokyo, proving still to have what it takes to compete in the top-flight.

Most recently, Meiji University saw the departures of Go Kambayashi to Cerezo Osaka, Issei Kumatoriya and Yosuke Uchida to Tokyo Verdy, Kyota Tokiwa to FC Tokyo, Sota Nakamura leaving further down the land to Sanfrecce Hiroshima, Kodai Nagata to the Kansai region-based Kyoto, and Seiga Sumi to Fagiano Okayama.

More talent signed on with J-2 clubs and below.

That is seven players under the age of 23, in total joining top-flight J-League outfits - proving the high standards of the University is something to be looked at by not only more top-flight Japanese teams, but potentially European clubs looking to invest in upcoming talent.

Tsukuba University

Based in the beautiful Ibaraki region, this is where the fairytale of Kaoru Mitoma began - the talks of his thesis on dribbling, the almost movie-esqe development - it all started in the Tsukuba University.

The univesity is the second most sucessful uni side in Japan, winning the championship nine times.

This season, Tsukuba University have provided numerous clubs with talent. Kosei Suwama heading to Yokohama F Marinos, Gen Kato to Nagoya Grampus, and Keita Fukui to Red Bull Omiya, amongst many more talent heading to the J-2.

A Kumamoto Ozu High School duo made the leap to University football with Tsukuba - centre-back Natsuki Goto, and centre-forward Keiji Yamashita.

More Teams to watch out for

While Tsukuba and Meiji are two of the more notable ones, there are university teams which have the potential to create more future stars;

• Waseda University - one of the most successful sides, winning championships twelve times and running up seven times.

• Chuo University - third most successful side, winning eight times.

• Komazawa University - fourth most successful side, winning seven times.

You may view the full list here.