Both Sanfrecce Hiroshima and FC Tokyo saw their 2016 AFC Champions League campaigns open with a setback on Tuesday night with a pair of 2-1 losses. Sanfrecce, at home to Shandong Luneng, took the lead in the 64th minute through Kohei Shimizu’s  goal but allowed a Yang Xu equaliser just three minutes later. Brazilian striker Diego Tardelli foun…

The J.League on Tuesday announced Saitama Stadium 2002 as host venue of the 2016 Yamazaki Nabisco Cup Final. Japan’s largest football-specific venue will host the cup climax for a third straight year on Saturday, October 15. The tournament kicks off on March 23 with a round-robin Group Stage involving 14 clubs.

The J.League on Tuesday announced that Tokyo Musashino City FC (Japan Football League) and FC Imabari (Shikoku League) have been recognised as J.League Hundred Year Vision clubs. The successful application is the first step toward potential admission to the J3 League; both clubs may now begin the process of applying for a J3 License. There are now sev…

Despite a short offseason, how have preparations gone for 2016? Our season finished with the loss in the Emperor’s Cup semifinal on December 29, but I began training independently on January 3. Instead of taking time off, I wanted to make sure I was staying active and refreshed. I can relax after I retire. We’re motivated to win another title…

Machida Zelvia on Sunday announced the signing of Dutch defender Calvin Jong-a-Pin. The 29-year-old, who represented his country at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, spent five seasons at Shimizu S-Pulse before becoming a free agent in December. “As you can imagine my strength is my biggest weapon, but I also believe I have the flexibility needed to ad…

Kashima Antlers on Saturday announced that midfielder Mu Kanazaki will remain at the club after a full transfer from Portimonense. The 27-year-old rejoined the Portuguese second-division side following the conclusion of his one-season loan to Antlers last season. He netted nine times in 27 league appearances and contributed an additional five in the c…

Japan Under-23 defender Sei Muroya will require roughly three months of recovery time after undergoing surgery, his club FC Tokyo announced on Saturday. The 21-year-old was diagnosed with a Jones fracture in his left foot earlier this month after sustaining an injury in training. Muroya, who is finishing his senior year at Meiji University, signed wit…

Vegalta Sendai mascot Vegatta was named the winner of the 2016 J.League Mascot Election on Saturday, beating out rivals Sanche and Tokyo Dorompa. The eagle-inspired character is the first to win the competition twice, having captured the most votes in the inaugural 2013 election. “Thanks to all of you I’ve received the honour of first plac…

A trio of second-half goals helped Sanfrecce Hiroshima capture their fourth FUJI XEROX Super Cup with a 3-1 win over Gamba Osaka on Saturday at Yokohama’s Nissan Stadium. New Gamba addition Ademilson joined a high-octane starting XI that included Takashi Usami and Patric, but the Emperor’s Cup holders opened the game on the defensive.  …

A selection of J.League academy players drew 1-1 with a team of Japan’s best high school players in the NEXT GENERATION MATCH before Saturday’s FUJI XEROX SUPER CUP. Shizuoka Gakuen midfielder Reo Hatate broke past defenders to score just before half time of the 70-minute match, but the J.League side finished honours even thanks to Akito Muka…

The 10th through fourth place results in the 2016 J.League Mascot election were revealed on Friday, setting the stage for an exciting announcement of the winner at Saturday’s FUJI XEROX SUPER CUP. The centre position in the annual mascot photo will be occupied by either Sanfrecce Hiroshima’s Sanche, the current champion, FC Tokyo’s Toky…

Kawasaki Frontale on Thursday announced that defender Yuto Takeoka will require six to eight weeks to recover from a torn right calf muscle. The injury was sustained in a February 11 training match against Mito Hollyhock. The 29-year-old is in his third year at Frontale, having scored one goal in 30 appearances in the 2015 MEIJI YASUDA J1 League seaso…

Sanfrecce Hiroshima striker Takuma Asano is confident that he can build on his breakout 2015 season ahead of Saturday’s FUJI XEROX SUPER CUP. The 21-year-old was named the J.League New Player of the Year after scoring nine goals, all of them as a substitute. “I have a good impression of (the Super Cup) since that’s where I scored my …

Gamba Osaka manager Kenta Hasegawa is eyeing revenge against Sanfrecce Hiroshima ahead of Saturday’s Fuji Xerox Super Cup clash. Defending J.League champions Sanfrecce defeated eventual Emperor’s Cup winners Gamba in the league Championship, pipping the former holders to the title. Both giants will again face each other on Saturday in the …

The J.League on Thursday announced video game publisher Electronic Arts as the league’s newest Top Partner. The Redwood City, California-based company is best known by football fans for the FIFA series and is the sixth-largest publisher in the world by revenue. EA sponsors several other top leagues around the world, including the Premier League …

Mascots from across the J.League will gather on Saturday at the FUJI XEROX SUPER CUP 2016. The colourful characters will meet a lucky group of fans on the pitch early in the day before greeting arriving supporters at the west gate of Nissan Stadium. They will also appear at halftime of the match between Sanfrecce Hiroshima and Gamba Osaka to announce …

The J.League on Monday announced that the J.League Yamazaki Nabisco Cup will retain its name for the 2016 edition of the tournament. The name of the tournament holds a Guinness World Record for the longest-running football competition sponsorship. However, it was thrown into doubt following an announcement that Yamazaki Nabisco will change its name to…

Urawa Reds have begun a week-long fundraiser for earthquake relief in Taiwan in cooperation with Friends of the United Nations Asia-Pacific. Donations will be collected at the club’s training ground, football schools and official shops. Fans can also contribute at Saitama Stadium where they will face Sydney FC in the 2016 AFC Champions League on…

Chairmen of all four Japanese representatives in the 2016 AFC Champions League gathered on Tuesday for a meeting to discuss the ACL 2016 Support Project, an initiative which provides financial resources and scheduling relief. They were joined by J.League chairman Mitsuru Murai and Japan Football Association president Kuniya Daini, who stressed the import…

Mito Hollyhock striker Nguyen Cong Phuong will arrive in Japan on Tuesday as he prepares to join his team-mates in training on Wednesday, February 17. The 21-year-old “Vietnamese Messi” joined the Ibaraki prefecture club on a one-year loan from Vietnam’s HAGL FC in December. Hollyhock will open the 2016 MEIJI YASUDA J2 League season …