The J.LEAGUE has built an enviable reputation around the world for the quality of young players it produces, so let’s meet some of the talented prospects set to shine in the MEIJI YASUDA J1 100 YEAR VISION LEAGUE.
Ryunosuke Sato (FC TOKYO, 19)
Sato is a prodigious talent who became FC TOKYO’s youngest player when he made his debut against Cerezo Osaka in the 2023 J.LEAGUE YBC Levain CUP at the age of just 16 years, four months, and 20 days.
The following season he featured three times for his club in the 2024 MEIJI YASUDA J1 LEAGUE, before then spending last season on loan at J1 debutant Fagiano Okayama.
While there Sato truly blossomed into a star of the top flight, making 28 appearances, scoring six times, and providing two assists.
He also made his full national team debut in 2025, becoming the fourth youngest player in Samurai Blue history at 18 years and 237 days after coming on as a substitute in the World Cup qualifying win over Indonesia in June.
He followed that up by shining for Japan U23 as they defended their title at the recent AFC U23 Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2026 - winning the MVP award and finishing as joint top scorer - and this season Sato will be back at FC TOKYO and keen to impress in the MEIJI YASUDA J1 100 YEAR VISION LEAGUE.
Yotaro Nakajima (Sanfrecce Hiroshima, 19)
A hugely gifted ball-playing midfielder, Nakajima will be aiming to nail down a regular starting spot for Sanfrecce Hiroshima this season.
Blessed with terrific vision and superb passing ability, Nakajima progressed through the youth ranks at Hiroshima before signing professional terms at the club at the age of just 17.
He made his league debut at the start of the 2024 MEIJI YASUDA J1 LEAGUE season, and has already appeared 34 times across J1 and the J.LEAGUE YBC Levain CUP.
Nakajima’s only goal to date came in the latter competition, when he rifled in a characteristically technical strike from a tight angle against Yokohama FC in October 2025.
The 19-year-old also has plentiful experience for Japan’s under category sides - including appearing at the AFC U20 Asian Cup China 2025 - and Nakajima is undoubtedly one to keep an eye on in the coming months.
Gaku Nawata (Gamba Osaka, 19)
Nawata is another youngster around whom there are very high hopes heading into the MEIJI YASUDA J1 100 YEAR VISION LEAGUE.
The Gamba Osaka forward made his debut as a starter in last year’s opening day derby against Cerezo Osaka, going on to make another three J1 appearances throughout the season.
A versatile and technical forward, Nawata is a clinical finisher who picked up the top scorer and MVP awards after striking five times to help Japan to glory at the AFC U17 Asian Cup Thailand 2023, and it is surely only a matter of time before he brings his scoring prowess to the J.LEAGUE as well.
Soichiro Mori (Nagoya Grampus, 18)
Mori only made his J.LEAGUE debut in June last year, but the right-sided defender has already made quite the impression for Nagoya Grampus.
His first goal came just two months later, when he found the net with a powerful header in a rollercoaster 4-3 defeat against Kawasaki Frontale in the 2024 MEIJI YASUDA J1 LEAGUE - a strike that made him Nagoya’s youngest ever J1 scorer at the age of just 18 years and 55 days.
Mori was also involved as Japan won the AFC U23 Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2026, and he is certain to become an increasingly key player for his club in the upcoming MEIJI YASUDA J1 100 YEAR VISION LEAGUE.
Yumeki Yokoyama (Cerezo Osaka, 20)
Despite still only being 20 years old Yokoyama is already heading into his third season in the J.LEAGUE, and he will soon have played at three different levels of the J.LEAGUE pyramid.
The Tokyo native made his J3 debut for FC Imabari in 2024 at the age of 18, scoring his first goal two weeks later.
Yokoyama - whose father Hirotoshi and older brother Ayumu also played in the J.LEAGUE - went on to make 29 appearances and find the net six times that season, playing a key role as Imabari earned a first ever promotion to J2.
He then played 25 times and added another six goals the following year as the club established itself in the second tier, before being part of the Japan U23 squad that was crowned champions at the AFC U23 Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2026.
Yokoyama sealed a transfer to top flight side Cerezo Osaka ahead of the new season, meaning the skilful forward will soon have the opportunity to showcase his array of attacking qualities in the MEIJI YASUDA J1 100 YEAR VISION LEAGUE.
