Top 10 Best Japanese Soccer Players of All Time- Ranked

Japan is one of football’s rising superpowers. The island nation caught everyone’s attention with increasingly good performances on the global stage. They made back-to-back Round of 16 appearances at the World Cup. They had to thank a lot of the best Japanese soccer players of all time who gave their all to develop the team.

The Blue Samurais dominated the Asian stage first before qualifying for the World Cup for the first time in 1998. The determination of players and their skills caught the eyes of the world. A new market opened up for European clubs and they scouted Japan heavily.

The nation that follows the Bushido Code implemented it in soccer as well. Their players are known for their skill, determination, work ethic and more importantly, putting the team above everything else. Japan had superstars emerging in soccer in the 1990s. The players started dominating the J-League before making the jump abroad.

They had some of the best players like Nakata, Kagawa and Honda doing the nation proud early on. Even today, the younger crop including Kaoru Mitoma, Takefusa Kubo and Ritsu Doan are carrying the Japanese flag high and proud in Europe’s top leagues.

Today let us rank the best Japanese soccer players of all time and see where the legends stand.

10.Kazuyoshi Miura

Miura nicknamed King Kazu is the oldest active player to play and score in a professional match. The 57-year-old defied the laws of time and physics to be still active in the game. He made his senior debut in 1986 when Japan was establishing itself as a Soccer force on the global stage.  

Miura, a dangerous striker in his prime is known for his trademark “Kazu Feint” as he swivels away from defenders before launching rocket shots. He does the “Kazu Dance” to celebrate his goals. Miura travelled alone to Brazil at the tender age of 15 in 1986 to become a professional footballer. He became Japan’s first genuine footballing superstar after his exploits abroad.

He enjoyed his best spells in Japan although with Verdy Kawasaki, Vissel Kobe and Yokohama FC. Miura helped Japan win the AFC Asian Cup in 1992. He is a top professional who maintains excellent discipline to take care of his body and be a professional footballer at this age.

9. Shunsuke Nakamura

The midfield dynamo is renowned as one of the best free-kick takers ever and his left foot is praised to be one of the best in the sport. Nakamura earned a Ballon d’Or nomination at the peak of his powers in 2007 being regarded as one of the best Japanese Soccer players of all time.

Nakamura enjoyed a successful spell for Yokohama F. Marinos before signing for Reggina in Italy. The spell in Italy fine-tuned Nakamura’s all-round game as he became the heartbeat of the team. He had great feet and dribbled with purpose. His shooting and chance creation earned him a super name worldwide.

He denied a move to Manchester United and signed for Celtic helping them beat the Red Devils on a famous Champions League night. He won the MVP award at the 2004 AFC Asian Cup and helped them defend the title they won in 2000.

Nakamura then retired at Yokohama FC after a fruitful career.

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8. Keisuke Honda

The attacking midfielder was a manager’s dream. He could play anywhere across the frontline and enjoyed successful spells in various countries around the world. He used to start in the number 10 position and drifts wide as a winger, controlled the tempo, makes a play from the deep and attacked the box as a false nine and was a master of setpieces.

Honda played for Nagoya Grampus Eight before moving to the Dutch club VVV-Venlo. He enjoyed his finest spell with CSKA Moscow in Russia. He won back-to-back Russian Premier Leagues and was the MVP for Japan as they won the AFC Asian Cup. He also scored the all-important goal to give Japan their first-ever win away from home in the World Cup.

Honda’s stock was at an all-time high and AC Milan came calling for him. Honda wore the number 10 jersey and played on the left for them en route to a SuperCoppa Italiana trophy.

Honda then joined multiple sides like Pachuca and Melbourne Victory before retiring in Bhutan with Paro FC. Honda was deeply into football and tried his hand at management while he was still playing. He managed the Bhutan senior national team during his stint with Paro.

7. Yuto Nagatomo

Nagotomo is a full-back who is still active in Japan after having a flourishing career in Europe. The versatile defender is two-footed and could play on either side of the defence. He enjoyed his prime as a left-back primarily. Nagotomo graduated from the Meiji School and joined FC Tokyo as a designated Youth Player in 2007. Nagotomo left for Italy for Cesena and a stellar Asian Cup in 2011 prompted Inter Milan to buy him.

At Inter Milan, Nagatomo unleashed his full array of skills. He not only defended with vigour but also attacked with ferocity from wider areas. Nagatomo used to make late overlapping runs before arriving in the box to deliver crossed or rifle shots into the net. He won the Coppa Italia with the club and in the 2013/14 season, he scored five goals and had six assists. He rejected advances from Manchester United to renew with Inter.

Nagatomo then left for Turkey and won back-to-back Super Lig titles with Galatasaray. After a short stint with Marseille, he returned to his boyhood club FC Tokyo and is starring for the club now.

6. Makoto Hasebe

Hasebe is one of the finest defensive-minded players to have come out of Japan. The man standing at 5’11 was not the biggest on the pitch. Through his sheer will and perfect reading of the game, he jumped into duels, cut so many passes and put in some fantastic tackles to stand out defensively. Hasebe was comfortable either playing a defensive midfielder or a centre-back.

He was blessed with excellent leadership skills from a young age and became a mainstay of whichever team he played for. Hasebe formed a solid midfield pairing with Keita Suzuki in 2003 since becoming a regular at the club. They helped Urawa Red Diamonds to their first league and Asian titles back to back in 2006 and 2007. After impressing the scouts, he made the move to Germany where he would spend the rest of his career.

Hasebe signed for Wolfsburg and won the title in his debut campaign in Germany. He then moved to Frankfurt where he eventually retired as a club legend. Hasebe was converted to a centre-back by Niko Kovac at Frankfurt as he won a DFB-Pokal Cup and Europa League with the club. Hasebe developed into a fine leader for Japan as well and he led them to an AFC Asian Cup in 2011.

5. Yashuito Endo

Endo is considered a cult hero in Japan as he has spent his entire club career in Japan. He had incredible longevity as an athlete. His technical ability, leadership and goal-scoring ability made him a fan favourite. He spent a large chunk of his career at Gamba Osaka and won multiple league titles with them.

Endo debuted in the J League with Yokohama Flugels and suffered relegation with Kyoto Purple Sanga. Gamba Osaka recognised his talent and awarded him with a move. He became a mainstay of the club in midfield as they won multiple league titles. At the same time, he established himself as the heart and soul of the Japan national team that dominated Asian competitions.

Endo ended a 20-year spell with Osaka when he signed with Jubilo Iwata in 2022 and retired at the end of that season. He is one of the fewest players with 1100 appearances in Japan and is the record Japanese League appearance maker with 672 apps.

4. Shinji Okazaki

Who could ever forget the epic Premier League season of Leicester in the 2015/16 season? It couldn’t have been possible without Okazaki’s exploits in front of goal in tandem with Jamie Vardy. The Japanese striker just moved to the Premier League in 2015 and hit the ground running. He had the habit of scoring key goals and scored against Everton in December as Leicester topped the table at Christmas.

The most memorable goal in that epic run-in was Okazaki’s acrobatic overhead goal against Newcastle that gave them 3 points. He then helped them win the league and was named the Asian International Player of the Year in December 2016.

Before moving to England, Okazaki enjoyed moderate success in Germany after a decent start in Japan. After the glorious Leicester spell, he travelled to Spain with multiple clubs before retiring in 2024. He had over 100 caps for the national side and scored 50 goals for them and won the AFC Asian Cup in 2011.

3. Kunishige Kamamoto

Kamamoto is one of the best strikers produced by Japan and he made quite the waves in the 1960s. He was old old-school forward who broke out early, had a long career with a single club and then had multiple levels at the top level as an official. He was rightfully inducted into the Japan Football Hall of Fame in 2005.

He joined the Waseda University School of Commerce and was the top scorer in the university league. He helped them win the Emperor’s Cup and it was the last time a university team won the prestigious tournament. After graduating from college, he joined the Japan Soccer League club Yanmar Diesel, the predecessor of Cerezo Osaka. Kamamoto’s winner in the Emperor’s Cup final helped the club win their first title in 1968.

In the same summer, he was called up by the Japanese national squad to represent them in the 1968 Summer Olympics in Mexico City. Kamamoto became the top scorer with seven goals at the tournament and helped Japan to a bronze medal. He then went on to become Japan’s all-time leading goal scorer.

After a double ACL injury in 1984, he called a day at 40 years of age. He then became a coach of his club and then served as the president of the Japan Football Association and was even a successful politician.

2. Shinji Kagawa

Kagawa is one of Japan’s finest exports to Europe and has enjoyed excellent success abroad. It should be said that his positive influence allowed a lot of clubs to scout Japan seriously. Kagawa is an extremely creative player who can play a raft of roles. He started as an attacking midfielder who playmakes regularly. His versatility made him thrive on the wing as well. For his country, he was deployed as a left winger and played a starring role in them lifting the 2011 Asian Cup.

After breaking through Cerezo Osaka’s ranks as a teenager, he made the move to Dortmund. Kagawa was turned into one of the best-attacking mids by Jurgen Klopp and he helped them win the Bundesliga despite missing the second half of the season with an injury. He played a crucial role in their title defence too. Kagawa then moved to Manchester United and became the first Japanese player to don the red shirt. He lifted his third straight league title by helping Sir Alex Ferguson win the league in his retirement season.

His trophy cabinet is one to envy for multiple players. After touring through Europe he went home to Cerezo Osaka and is enjoying the twilight of his career awaiting a fairytale retirement.

1. Hidetoshi Nakata

A player that embodies what Japan is all about. Nakata was a kid like everyone else who was inspired by Manga and Anime. He worked on his interests and used his gifts to become arguably one of the best Japanese soccer players of all time and an all-time Asian great. He was a midfield maestro in his prime. Nakata was quick, agile and creative. His work ethic and technique allowed him to excel as a central midfielder. His eye for a goal and power shots made him a dangerous prospect for attacking too.

Nakata impressed in Japan and his performances in the 1998 World Cup caught everyone’s eye. He moved to Perugia and scored 10 goals in his debut season. Nakata’s best years came in Roma as he scored a thunderbolt from 30 yards out against Juventus.  He helped win the Scudetto that season. That earned him his third Ballon d’Or nomination in 2001. He created history by becoming the first Asian to be nominated for the prestigious award back in 1998.

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Nakata then suddenly brought his career to an abrupt halt as he retired citing he wasn’t enjoying football. Despite not playing the game he became an active ambassador of the game and continues to inspire many. He was dubbed the Japanese Beckham and was honoured with an Icon card by the popular video game franchise EA FC.