Jubilo Iwata defender Shohei Takahashi will miss four to six weeks after tearing a muscle in his left thigh, the club announced on Sunday.
The 25-year-old suffered the injury in training on February 28, putting him at risk of missing the derby against Shimizu S-Pulse on April 1.
Takahashi joined the Shizuoka side this winter after making his 100th J1 League appearance last season with Vissel Kobe.
He has also played for Omiya Ardija and Tokyo Verdy.