Top 10 Best Japanese Soccer Players Currently– Ranked

Japanese Soccer has been on the rise for quite some time. Soccer isn’t the first thing that comes to mind when we think of Japan. But the island nation with its exceptional vision, discipline and practice is on the way to becoming a new superpower in soccer. We will find out who are the best Japanese soccer players currently.

Japan is well known for its discipline and result-oriented processes throughout the world. They have similarly applied the approach to soccer, a sport in which they once struggled. Through rigorous grassroots programs and an understanding of the game at a deeper level, they have produced many talented players.

They believed soccer could be inculcated into the minds of the young ones and with the natural flair of the players, they could combine the technicalities through brilliant training programs. The outburst of the sport also helped their cause as more and more kids took up the sport.

The yesteryear greats have been replaced ably by the talented new lot. The Japanese players ply their trade in some of the best leagues in the world like the Premier League and La Liga. With their promising performances, the players are getting their flowers from the media and public alike. Japan is quickly becoming a new favourite destination for top clubs to scout.

Let us take a look at the top 10 best Japanese soccer players currently active in the sport.

List of Top 10 Best Japanese Soccer Players Currently

10. Zion Suzuki – Parma

Zion Suzuki became the first Japanese goalkeeper in Serie A’s glorious history when he signed for Parma in 2025. The talented shot-stopper was making waves already with his scintillating performances in Japan. A host of clubs lined up for his signature including Manchester United. Suzuki made the move to Belgium in 2024 and after a single season, Parma came for him.

The 6’3 custodian is an imposing figure in goal and his ultra-aggressive gameplay and humble character add a lot of spark to his game. He has great reflexes and is very comfortable with saves using his feet as well. The ability to charge off the line and make stunning sweeps and claims add an element of excitement when he starts between the sticks.

Suzuki spoke Italian in the first press conference at Parma and impressed the locals. He made six saves on his debut in a 1-1 draw against Fiorentina. He quickly cemented his choice as the first-choice goalkeeper and is impressing regularly with his ball playing. However, he was sent off in the game against Napoli for a rash challenge outside the box. He has to polish these round edges before growing in stature and emulating his idol Gianluigi Buffon’s career path from Parma.

Also Read: Top 10 Best Japanese Soccer Players of All Time- Ranked

9. Hidemasa Morita – Sporting

The midfielder is a key player for club and country. After establishing himself as a lynchpin in the middle of the park in Japan, he made the move to Portugal. Morita scored a late winner on his league debut in Portugal showcasing his eye for the goal as well.

2022 became memorable for him as made the move to Sporting and was named in the Japan squad for the World Cup. Morita played a key role as Sporting won the league in 2024. He can play as a tempo controller or even as a defensive midfielder. Morita with some key contributions has helped Sporting in their defence of the title so far. He hopes to take them deep into the Champions League campaign too.

8. Kyogo Furuhashi – Celtic

Furuhashi is a star striker for the Scottish Champions. The pure striker is an unbelievable poacher for someone of his size. He is rapid and has all the characteristics of a fox in the box. Furuhashi is a volume shooter and keeps taking shots from high-quality zones in the box. He can also operate as an attacking midfielder or play as a support striker if needed.

Furuhashi started his professional career in Gifu in the second division of Japan. He then moved to Vissel Kobe and won a couple of trophies with them. In a wave of Japanese signings made by Celtic, Furuhashi jumped the ship as well. He hit the ground running in Scotland and was included in the PFA Team of the Year. He won the Golden Boot in his second season and helped Celtic to another title. The three-peat was completed this summer and he is into double-digit figures this season too.

The striker was linked with a shock move to Manchester City in the summer to replace Julian Alvarez. The move did not materialise but the suitors for the striker haven’t gone away yet as there is an air of tension surrounding his future.

7. Daichi Kamada – Crystal Palace

The versatile midfielder was gifted with superb technique from a young age. He had a lot of schooling right from the age of 12 at some of Japan’s best clubs. He moved to Germany and became a long-serving player for Frankfurt. Niko Kovac who managed Kamada at Frankfurt praised him for his intelligent play in the pockets and his technical brilliance. Kamada played a key role in the Eagles winning the Europa League in 2022.

A disappointing spell in Italy with Lazio was cut short after Crystal Palace signed him this summer. Under Oliver Glanser, he was expected to play the inside forward role. But after a mixed start, he lost his starting spot and is now thriving in a deeper midfield role. Kamada is using his experience to turn the situation around and help Palace stay in the top flight in a difficult season.

6. Wataru Endo – Liverpool

The versatile midfielder was the talk of the town as he signed for Liverpool in 2024. He was signed as part of Jurgen Klopp’s final midfield rebuild for the club. At 30 years of age and at a relegation club, no one expected Endo to make the biggest move of his career yet to England. The way the Japanese international captain handled the move made everyone fall in love with him. He put in a heroic 120 minute shift as Liverpool won the Carabao Cup in 2024.

Endo is an embodiment of the never-say-never attitude. He is blessed with an incredible engine and has a profuse understanding of the game. His presence in the base of the midfield gives a lot of confidence to the attackers. Endo is a duel winner and breaks multiple counters before they even take shape. He is ready to play anywhere on the field for his team as he deputised at centre-back for Liverpool when needed.

Under Arne Slot, Endo is not the first team on the name sheet but his attitude remains a thing for youngsters to learn. He gives his 100% per cent for the team and never complains for minutes. He is an expert at closing out games and as things stand, he is set to help Liverpool another Premier League title this summer.

5. Ritsu Doan – Freiburg

Doan broke onto the scene in 2017 when he starred for Japan at the 2017 U-20 World Cup. The right-winger scored three goals and made the move to the Netherlands as a teenager. Doan equalled the legendary Arjen Robben’s tally of goals for them as a teenager. PSV took him off Groningen soon and he was sent on loans to develop fully.

Freiburg announced the capture of Doan’s signature in 2022 and he had the best time of his life at the Qatar World Cup as he scored late equalisers in back-to-back games against Germany and Spain to help Japan win their difficult group.

The right winger who can also play as a right back is lightning-quick and has an incredible work rate. He is comfortable shooting with either foot and has helped himself to 5 goals and 2 assists in the league. Freiburg hopes to make the European competitions if the Japanese winger keeps on getting the returns.

4. Takehiro Tomiyasu – Arsenal

The Japanese international is one of the best pure defenders left in the game. He is what we can call a lockdown fullback who absolutely swallows the winger he is marking. Tomiyasu is a full-back but can also slot in at the heart of the defence if the need arises.

Tomiyasu had a scholarship at FC Barcelona’s youth academy in Japan and a supposed move failed as he disagreed to relocate. His striking skills found admirers from Belgium as he moved to Sint-Truidense in 2018. A year later, Tomiyasu joined Bologna and shoe-horned his defending in a league known for its legendary defenders.

He was awe-struck when Arsenal signed him in 2021. He hit the ground running by winning the Player of the Month for the club in September 2021.  He continued making key appearances for the club. A memorable performance saw him lock down Mohamed Salah in an unfamiliar left-back role.

Recently, he has been troubled with repetitive injuries that have kept him out of action. He has only a single appearance this season as Arsenal are battling an injury crisis in defence. His much-anticipated return in late January cannot come sooner for the Gunners.

3. Takumi Minamino – Monaco

The winger is playing a key role in Monaco’s superb start to the season in both the league and the Champions League. The Japanese international did take his time to establish himself in the Monaco team. He scored only once in his first season but he almost reached double digits in his second campaign.

In this season, he has transformed from a creative winger into an attacking midfielder to find his best form. He doesn’t have a direct hand in goals but is a key part of how his side attacks. It was as an attacking midfielder that he played his best soccer in Salzburg.

Minamino moved from Cerezo Osaka to RB Salzburg in 2015 after winning the Rookie of the Year award in the J League. The famed RB group known for their talent spotting has found Minamino’s dribbling, passing and vision an exciting prospect. He was part of an excellent attacking unit that had Erling Haaland and Hwang-Hee Chan in Austria.

Minamino scored in a thrilling 4-3 away defeat to Liverpool in the Champions League in 2019 and was signed by them. Minamino played as a bench option for the club and gained a cult hero status as he helped them win the Carabao Cup in 2022 with his crucial goals. He then made the move to Monaco in a bid to be a starter.

Also Read: Top 10 Best Spanish Soccer Players Currently – Ranked!

2. Takefusa Kubo – Real Sociedad

Dubbed the “Japanese Messi”, the electric winger is developing into a world-class left-footed attacker. Kubo had a fantastic journey in his young career and may already seem like a veteran at just 23 years of age.

Kubo’s incredible performances as a 10-year-old won him a dream move to La Masia Academy in 2011. He learned the tricks and skills from Lionel Messi himself as he watched him from close ranges for four years. Kubo dribbles like Messi in some actions and has that vision where he could pick out a pass from anywhere. However, Barcelona’s rule-breaking involvement in his transfer made him ineligible to represent the club. He had to move back to his native Japan before Real Madrid came calling.

Kubo never made a senior appearance for the club despite starring in the pre-season tours. He spent all his time with the club on loans and then moved to Real Sociedad permanently. The winger is realising his true potential now. He won the Player of the Season at his new club in his first season.

Kubo is continuing his fine form in the league and Europa League for his side as they enjoyed a fine turnaround in form after a torrid start.

1. Kaoru Mitoma – Brighton and Hove Albion

Mitoma is a perfect example of blending theory into practice. The left winger during his academy days in Japan did a lot of research on how to play the game better. At 18, he wrote his university thesis on dribbling and how to improve it with an emphasis on ball retention and beating the opponent. True to his words, he is unshakable on the ball as he locks the ball to his feet when he plays. He is rightfully ranked as the first in the list of the best Japanese soccer players currently.

The young scholar was playing for Kawasaki Frontale when Brighton who are famous for their scouting around the world came for him. He was immediately sent on loan to Belgium in his first season. Mitoma then broke out in England in the 2022/2023 season after getting used to the pace of the league.

Mitoma scored key goals for Brighton including the winner against Liverpool in the FA Cup. His dribbling, passing and work rate impressed everyone and he was linked with a move away from the Amex Stadium. He soon signed a contract extension and would unfortunately go on to miss the season due to an injury in February.

Mitoma’s minutes are being managed carefully now but he remains Brighton’s go-to man in the attack as he scored crucial goals and set up goals for them this season after coming back from the injury.