Nagoya Grampus on Thursday announced the signing of Vissel Kobe’s Michihiro Yasuda, with the defender looking forward to winning silverware. The former Vitesse man and Samurai Blue player made 12 league appearances for Nelsinho’s side in 2015. “I’m incredibly happy to be joining a big club like Nagoya Grampus with such history,…

Kashiwa Reysol on Wednesday announced the return of Vegalta Sendai defender Jiro Kamata to the club. The 30-year-old, who played for Reysol in 2006 as well as in 2008 and 2009, boasts over 200 appearances in the MEIJI YASUDA J1 League. “It will have been seven years since I last played for Reysol, but I look forward to a fresh start and the oppo…

FC Tokyo on Tuesday announced the arrival of Jubilo Iwata full-back Yuichi Komano. The 34-year-old has made over 350 appearances in the MEIJI YASUDA J1 League, and will bring a vast amount of experience to the capital club’s rearguard. New coach Hiroshi Jofuku will attempt to guide them beyond the AFC Champions League play-offs when the new seas…

Former Sagan Tosu midfielder Naoyuki Fujita is targeting an “amazing” season with Vissel Kobe, after signing for the latter on Monday. The 28-year-old has played his entire career with the Kyushu side since turning professional in 2010, recently serving as the club’s captain. Fujita will turn out for Vissel next season however, as Ne…

Gamba Osaka successfully defended the Emperor’s Cup trophy after Patric fired them to a 2-1 victory over Urawa Reds with his brace in Friday’s final. Kenta Hasegawa’s men have now won consecutive cup titles after their latest success and now end the season with silverware. Eager to make up for their defeats in both the Yamazaki Nabis…

FC Tokyo on Tuesday completed the signing of goalkeeper Yota Akimoto from Shonan Bellmare. The 28-year-old started all 34 games in the 2015 MEIJI YASUDA J1 League campaign, helping Bellmare to an impressive eighth-place finish in their return to the top flight. “I want to play hard in order to bring a new influence to the team and give it my all…

Kashiwa Reysol striker Masato Kudo will join Major League Soccer side Vancouver Whitecaps pending a medical, the club confirmed on Sunday. The 25-year-old has spent his entire career at the club, rising from Reysol’s Under-12 side to the first team, where he has spent the last seven seasons. Kudo’s four goals helped fire his side to the AF…

Shimizu S-Pulse on Monday announced that the club has renewed the contracts of four players. Striker Genki Omae, midfielder Takuya Honda and defenders Dejan Jakovic and Ko Matsubara will all remain at the club in their maiden MEIJI YASUDA J2 League campaign in 2016. Captain Omae was S-Pulse’s top scorer with 11 goals in the 2015 season, though t…

Veteran goalkeeper Kota Ogi wants to be a role model for Nagoya Grampus’ youth, after the club confirmed his and Yohei Takeda’s arrival on full transfers. Ogi, 32, has spent the last seven seasons as a starter at Ventforet Kofu, while Takeda has kept goal for Oita Trinita since 2014. “The first pro football match I watched at Gifu Na…

The Japan Football Association on Tuesday announced Yuta Toyokawa has been added to the country’s final squad for the upcoming AFC Under-23 Championship in Qatar. Kashima Antlers midfielder Toyokawa and Tokyo Verdy defender Kento Misao have now been added to the preliminary list of 21 names announced in mid-December.  Additionally, injured …

Midfielder Naoki Yamada will remain at Shonan Bellmare for another season on loan from Urawa Reds, the club announced on Monday. The 25-year-old scored one goal in 17 appearances in his first season at BMW Stadium. “I’m disappointed that I couldn’t contribute to the team’s results more this season, so I look forward to running …

Striker Musashi Suzuki will return to Albirex Niigata in 2016, the club announced on Monday. The 21-year-old spent part of last season on loan at Mito Hollyhock, where he scored two goals in six appearances in the MEIJI YASUDA J2 League. “Thank you for your support next season,” Suzuki commented. “I’ll do my best to contribute …

Cerezo Osaka on Monday announced the signing of Shohei Kiyohara from Zweigen Kanazawa on a full transfer. The attacking midfielder scored 13 goals in 42 MEIJI YASUDA J2 League appearances this season, greatly contributing to Zweigen’s stunning form in the initial stages of 2015. Kiyohara signing arrives as a statement of intent from Kiyoshi Okum…

Kashima Antlers on Monday announced the full transfer of midfielder Ryota Nagaki from Shonan Bellmare. The 27-year-old had played for the Kanazawa club since 2010, helping them to promotion in the 2014 when they finished top of the second tier. Nagaki then helped Bellmare secure comfortable survivial in the 2015 MEIJI YASUDA J1 League season, with his…

Takashi Usami was pivotal as Gamba Osaka smashed three goals past Sanfrecce Hiroshima without reply in Tuesday’s Emperor’s Cup semi-final. The striker was back to his best in the 3-0 result that sends Kenta Hasegawa’s men to the final against Urawa Reds, where they will attempt to defend their trophy on New Year’s Day. Usami go…

An extra-time goal from Tadanari Lee allowed Urawa Reds grind out a 1-0 victory over Kashiwa Reysol in the Emperor’s Cup semi-final and will now meet Gamba Osaka in the final. The MEIJI YASUDA J1 League first stage winners always looked the more likely to score, but despite the livewire performance of Takahiro Sekine rued poor finishing either side…

Roasso Kumamoto on Monday unveiled Hiroyuki Kiyokawa as the club’s new manager. The 48-year-old has served as the club’s head coach since 2010 after previously spending over a decade with Kashiwa Reysol’s youth academy. Kiyokawa takes over the role from Takeshi Ono, who resigned following the 2015 MEIJI YASUDA J2 League season. Th…

FC Tokyo on Monday announced Hiroshi Jofuku as the club’s new manager for 2016, marking his return for the first time in six seasons. He first managed the capital side between 2008 and 2010, famously capturing the 2009 Yamazaki Nabisco Cup. Jofuku then spent three years at Ventforet Kofu, guiding the Yamanashi side to a J2 League championship an…

Vissel Kobe on Sunday announced their decision to part ways with defender Takahiro Masukawa. The 36-year-old scored one goal in 17 MEIJI YASUDA J1 League appearances this season, with an additional six outings in the Yamazaki Nabisco Cup. “I’m incredibly happy to have been able to play for my hometown club,” Masukawa commented. &ldqu…

Sanfrecce Hiroshima on Sunday opened ticket sales for their Emperor’s Cup semi-final clash with Gamba Osaka this Tuesday. A re-match of the J.League championship final, the newly-crowned Japanese champions will take on the present cup holders at Yanmar Stadium Nagai in a keenly-anticipated encounter. With Hajime Moriyasu’s men designated t…