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Omiya Ardija manager Hiroki Shibuya will continue in his role next season, the club announced on Friday. The 49-year-old took over in August 2014 when the club was attempting to stave off relegation. He subsequently led Ardija back to the top flight in one season and has earned the most J1 League points in club history (50) with three matches remainin…

Sanfrecce Hiroshima midfielder Koji Morisaki will retire at the end of the season, the club announced on Thursday. The veteran has spent his entire career with the club since turning pro in 2000, recording 40 goals in 257 J1 League appearances as well as 24 goals in 77 J2 League appearances.  “I can’t easily sum up my feelings, but fi…

Kawasaki Frontale defender Tatsuki Nara fractured his left tibia in training, the club announced on Wednesday. The injury, which took place on October 7, is a reoccurrence of the injury he suffered in May that prevented him from participating in the 2016 Rio Olympics. Nara is only expected to return to action in three to four months, when the 2017 MEI…

The J.League has announced its fundraising results for earthquake relief in Kumamoto at the 2016 J.League YBC Levain Cup Final. Fans at Saitama Stadium donated 337,652 yen (roughly $3,370), which will be distributed to victims of April’s Kumamoto Earthquake through the local branch of the Japan Red Cross. The J.League TEAM AS ONE initiative has …

Ventforet Kofu’s Under-12 side achieved a runners-up finish in the Danone Nations Cup 2016 In France, which took place at the weekend in Paris. Representing Japan in the prestigious international youth tournament, the team fought to a scoreless draw against Germany before falling 2-1 in penalty kicks. Japanese teams have previously performed wel…

Sagan Tosu striker Shohei Okada will miss three weeks of action after breaking a rib in his right side, the club announced earlier this week. The 27-year-old suffered the injury in training on October 15. Okada has one goal in 13 appearances, including three starts, for Sagan this season.

The J.League on Monday announced the details of the 2016 J.League Awards, the traditional conclusion of the J.League season which honours the league’s top players, managers, and clubs. The league MVP and Best XI are some of the many awards that will be announced at the December 20 gala, which will return to Yokohama Arena for the first time since 2…

Cerezo Osaka stumbled in their mission to keep up with the automatic promotion race after drawing 1-1 at Fagiano Okayama in the 36th round of the 2016 MEIJI YASUDA J2 League. Souza’s 37th-minute goal was neutralised by Fagiano’s Kenji Sekido shortly before half-time, causing the Kansai side to drop two more points behind second-placed Matsumo…

Sanfrecce Hiroshima midfielder Yusuke Chajima will be unavailable for the month after injuring himself in training, the club announced. The 25-year-old is expected to miss the remainder of the 2016 MEIJI YASUDA J1 League Second Stage after damaging his left adductor muscle. Chajima has three goals in 22 appearances this season.

J.League chairman Mitsuru Murai congratulated Urawa Reds and their hero Tadanari Lee for winning Saturday’s 2016 Levain Cup final against Gamba Osaka. Mihailo Petrovic’s men lifted their first silverware under the Serbian when they overcame Gamba 5-4 in a penalty shootout, after the scores were tied at 1-1 after extra time. And Murai prais…

Urawa Reds were crowned winners of the 2016 J.League YBC Levain Cup following their 5-4 penalty shootout victory over Gamba Osaka in Saturday’s final at a packed Saitama Stadium. The clash had ended in a 1-1 stalemate after 120 minutes with Gamba starting brightly, taking the lead in the 17th minute when Ademilson deftly dribbled past the defender …

The Japan Football Association on Thursday announced its list of participants for next week’s national team goalkeeper training camp. The list includes established Samurai Blue and Urawa Reds goalkeeper Shusaku Nishikawa, Rio 2016 participant Kosuke Nakamura and US-born Daniel Schmidt. The camp will take place from October 17 through 19 at Osaka…

Gamba Osaka on Wednesday announced the full signing of striker Ademilson from Brazil’s Sao Paulo FC. The 22-year-old joined the Suita Stadium residents this season after making his J.League debut with Yokohama F. Marinos in 2015. Ademilson tally of seven goals in 27 MEIJI YASUDA J1 League appearances this season convinced Gamba to buy him. …

Yokohama F. Marinos on Wednesday announced the details of an injury to defender Yuzo Kurihara. The former Japan international damaged his left knee during the first leg of his team’s 0-0 draw at Gamba Osaka in the semi-finals of the J.League YBC Levain Cup. Kurihara is expected to miss four to six weeks, meaning he is unlikely to appear again be…

The J.League on Wednesday announced its verdicts regarding current J3 League clubs applying for the renewal of their J3 Club License. Applications by Blaublitz Akita, Fukushima United FC, YSCC Yokohama, SC Sagamihara, Fujieda MYFC, Kagoshima United FC and FC Ryukyu have been approved. Meanwhile, deliberations regarding Grulla Morioka will continue in …

Kawasaki Frontale on Wednesday announced that manager Yahiro Kazama will leave the club at the conclusion of the 2016 season. The 54-year-old took over at Todoroki Stadium in April 2012 and has taken them to a place in the J.League Championship this season following a series of impressive performances. Kazama has accumulated a record of 85 wins, 33 dr…

The J.League on Wednesday announced Gamba Osaka midfielder Yosuke Ideguchi as the winner of the 2016 YBC Levain Cup New Hero Award. The Rio Olympian was praised by media for his performance in the Knockout Stage, receiving the most votes from journalists covering the tournament.  In addition to creating the away goal that sent Gamba to the final …

The Japan national team fought to a 1-1 draw with rivals Australia on Tuesday night in a crucial 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifier. The Samurai Blue made four changes to their starting lineup from Thursday’s 2-1 win against Iraq, with Keisuke Honda established as the lone striker in a 4-2-3-1 formation which included five J.League players in Shusaku Ni…

Cerezo Osaka midfielder Hotaru Yamaguchi was named the MEIJI YASUDA J2 League Monthly MVP for September after he contributed to three straight wins in his team’s fierce promotion battle. The Japan international’s form has continuously improved since his return to the J.League in June, and his persistence on both sides of the ball over 90 minu…

Vissel Kobe striker Leandro was named the MEIJI YASUDA J1 League Monthly MVP for September, his first time receiving the honour since April 2013 when he played for Gamba Osaka. The Brazilian scored a league-leading four goals in three matches in September, contributing to his club’s unbeaten record.  His seven shots on target were tied for …