Japanese footballers that play in the UK

The Japan Football Association's prioritisation of youth development is paying dividends as the Premier League and Football League witnesses an influx of Japanese talent.

We examine the Japanese players currently showcasing their ability in the UK.

Japanese players in the Premier League

• Kaoru Mitoma (Brighton)

Developing into the poster boy of Japanese football, the purchase of Kaoru Mitoma for just shy of £3m in 2021 remains the shrewdest purchase of Tony Bloom's jewel-finding regime.

The winger has been a revelation since joining Brighton from Kawasaki Frontale, netting 17 goals and registering 12 assists across 81 appearances as the Seagulls attempt to establish themselves as European regulars.

It's clear to see why Mitoma wrote his university thesis on dribbling when you observe him gracefully glide beyond a defender.

• Takehiro Tomiyasu (Arsenal)

Takehiro Tomiyasu first ventured into Europe with Belgian First Division A outfit Sint-Truiden and his performances immediately warranted the attention of Serie A side Bologna.

A versatile defender who is capable of operating at both full-back and centre-back, Tomiyasu joined Arsenal in a £16m deal in August 2021 and became the fourth Japanese player to sign for the Gunners.

Unfortunately for Tomiyasu, his time at the Emirates Stadium has been beset by injuries and his 2024/25 campaign was curtailed after sustaining a severe knee injury.

• Daichi Kamada (Crystal Palace)

Daichi Kamada was signed by Eintracht Frankfurt from Sagan Tosu in 2017 and flourished during his six-year stint at the Deutsche Bank Park, helping the club to achieve success in the DFB Pokal and Europa League.

The midfielder made a switch to Lazio before Kamada reunited with his former boss Oliver Glasner at Crystal Palace in the summer of 2024, joining the south London club on a free transfer.

Technically-gifted with an exceptional work rate, Kamada initially struggled to acclimatise at Selhurst Park but has showed glimpses of his ability as a deeper-lying metronome.

• Wataru Endo (Liverpool)

Wataru Endo moved to Europe from Urawa Red Diamonds at the age of 25 and accompanied compatriot Tomiyasu at Sint-Truiden in Belgium.

A loan move to VfB Stuttgart beckoned in 2019 and the 2.Bundesliga outfit signed him on a permanent basis in the same season, having played a key role in their promotion back to the top-flight.

Endo was brought to Liverpool by Jurgen Klopp in the summer of 2023 and the defensive midfielder immediately endeared himself to Reds supporters for his impeccable professionalism.

The 32-year-old has been subjected to a bit-part role under Arne Slot, although the Dutch tactician has hailed the Yokohama ace as a "special player".

• Yukinari Sugawara (Southampton)

Yukinari Sugawara moved to the Netherlands aged 18 and made his breakthrough with AZ Alkmaar within a year of relocating to the AFAS Stadium.

The right-back spent four seasons with the Eredivisie club and clocked 49 appearances in European competitions for AZ, which is the most of any player in the club's history.

Southampton signed Sugawara in a £6m deal in July 2024 and despite the Saints' Premier League plight, the Japanese international has still attracted the interest of Serie A giants Napoli.

• Rento Takaoka (Southampton)

Prodigious striker Rento Takaoka signed a pre-contract agreement with Southampton in June 2024 and officially joined the club in March 2025.

The Saints had to fend off strong interest for Takaoka, who scored four goals in the 2023 FIFA U-17 World Cup.

Japanese players in the Championship

• Tatsuki Seko (Stoke City)

After fruitful spells in the Japanese J1 League with Yokohama FC and Kawasaki Frontale, Tatsuki Seko was signed by Stoke City in the 2024 summer transfer window for an undisclosed fee on a three-year contract.

An intelligent operator who sits in a deep-lying midfield role, Seko is the first Japanese player to represent the Potters.

• Yuki Ohashi (Blackburn Rovers)

After finishing university, Yuki Ohashi signed for J1 League outfit Shonan Bellmare before a 16-goal season saw him earn a switch to Sanfrecce Hiroshima.

Ohashi's goalscoring exploits continued with another 16-goal campaign in 2024 which merited the attention of Blackburn Rovers.

The 28-year-old was an immediate hit on the terraces of Ewood Park with six goals in his first seven appearances in all competitions, which resulted in Ohashi earning a maiden call-up to the Japan squad.

• Ao Tanaka (Leeds United)

Acquired for a £2.9m fee from Fortuna Dusseldorf, Ao Tanaka has proven to be an excellent snip of business from Leeds United.

The all-action midfielder disrupts opposition forays, orchestrates Leeds attacks and even pops up with the odd timely goal as he keeps Daniel Farke's men ticking in their promotion charge.

Tanaka rose through the academy at Kawasaki Frontale before venturing to Dusseldorf in 2021 and spending three seasons with Fortuna.

• Tatsuhiro Sakamoto (Coventry City)

Tatsuhiro Sakamoto came to prominence following a successful stint with Cerezo Osaka in the J1 League before moving to KV Oostende on loan in January 2022.

The Belgian Pro League outfit signed the diminutive winger on a permanent basis four months later and within a year, Sakamoto was picked up by Coventry City for an undisclosed fee.

The enigmatic Sakamoto lifts bottoms off seats at the CBS Arena with his divine dribbling ability and the winger has showcased an end product to his game with 18 goal contributions across his first two seasons.

• Yu Hirakawa (Bristol City)

Bristol City signed Yu Hirakawa on a permanent basis in February 2025 after the forward impressed during his initial loan stint with the Robins.

On the books at Machida Zelvia from the age of 20, Hirakawa was a pivotal feature in the Tokyo outfit winning the J2 League title in 2023 before helping them consolidate their top-flight status in the subsequent season.

On the club's decision to tie Hirakawa down permanently, Bristol City boss Liam Manning said: "Yu has been brilliant for us and he's only going to improve."

• Koki Saito (Queens Park Rangers)

Koki Saito departed Yokohama FC for the Belgian CFG affiliate club Lommel SK in 2021 and a string loan moves have followed, with his latest switch seeing him join QPR on loan for the 2024/25 campaign.

A hit under Marti Cifuentes at Loftus Road, the exhilarating forward relishes one-on-one situations and bamboozles defenders with his innovation and agility.

• Ryo Hatsuse (Sheffield Wednesday)

Ryo Hatsuse became the first Japanese player to sign for Sheffield Wednesday when he joined from Vissel Kobe in February 2025.

A full-back who is adept at playing on either side, Owls chief Danny Rohl shared his impression of Hatsuse, saying: "I see him as very aggressive in one against one duels, he has very dangerous cross balls and he has good give-and-go situations."

• Daiki Hashioka (Luton Town)

Daiki Hashioka is another Japanese talent to utilise Belgian Pro League Sint-Truiden as a pathway into European football.

The right-back joined the Limburg club from Urawa Red Diamonds and spent three seasons in Belgium before he was lured to England by Luton Town in January 2024.

Luton's first-ever Japanese player, Hashioka's first full season at Kenilworth Road has been interrupted by injury setbacks.

Japanese players in League One

• Tomoki Iwata (Birmingham City)

Tomoki Iwata's deadline day arrival was largely overshadowed by Birmingham City's capture of Jay Stansfield but the combative midfielder has proven himself to be a crucial component in Chris Davies' side.

Following fruitful stints with Oita Trinita and Yokohama F. Marinos in Japan, Iwata was plucked by Celtic on loan in December 2022 before agreeing permanent terms with the Glasgow giants in June 2023.

Deemed surplus to requirements by Brendan Rodgers, Iwata has flourished in Birmingham and produced several Goal of the Season contenders throughout the campaign.

Japanese players in the Scottish Premiership

• Daizen Maeda (Celtic)

Celtic were trendsetters with their recruitment of star Japanese talent after the club's former manager, Ange Postecoglou, used the J1 League knowledge he accrued at Yokohama F Marinos to good effect in the transfer market.

Daizen Maeda was signed by Postecoglou in 2020 from Matsumoto Yamaga and the striker reacquainted with his former manager at Celtic Park in December 2021, joining the Scottish Premiership side on loan with an obligation to buy.

Playing a pivotal role in Celtic's league successes, Maeda has elevated his game to new heights in 2024/25 with over 25 goals in all competitions, including four in the UEFA Champions League.

• Reo Hatate (Celtic)

Reo Hatate accompanied Maeda and Yosuke Ideguchi in trading Japan for Scotland as the midfielder joined Celtic from Kawasaki Frontale for a fee of £1.4m in December 2021.

Clocking over a century of appearances for the Bhoys, Hatate possesses great vision and superb passing range, while his versatility makes him a dependable figure in Brendan Rodgers' ranks.