Column – Page 4 – J.League Regista

Hello, Nihon – Belgium

Which hubs are the most welcoming towards Japanese players? Belgium has been surely one in the last years.

No one could take over Kengo Nakamura’s legacy at Kawasaki Frontale… until Yasuto Wakizaka did otherwise.

Grit and grind on the pitch, a true scorer, a warrior: Yohei Toyoda has been all those things.

There was a time where Manabu Saito was a Maradona-esque wonder – but he never lived up to that potential.

Toshihiro Aoyama turned the impossible into normality – from Okayama to being a MVP in the J.League.

Japanese legends, J2 cult heroes, and a Brazilian turned idol for a whole fandom: a perspective over the retirements from 2024.

Coaches thriving, delusion in Saitama, and a relegated revelation: these have been the awards for the top flight.

Yoshinori Muto was tipped to be more than his career showed – but the MVP and the back-to-back titles with Vissel Kobe gave us an alternative ending.

Cast aside at 30, Jun Ichimori found his way back to relevance – and now he’s one of the best goalkeepers of the J.League.

A Brazilian striker, a relegated disappointment, another orange dominium: these have been the awards for the third division.