Quality, value and ‘very little risk’: Why Premier League clubs keep turning to Japan

Premier League clubs are increasingly turning to Japanese players for their quality, affordability, and low risk, according to industry insiders. A record number of Japanese players are now in the top tier of English football, with ten registering with teams at the start of this season. Former Arsenal defender Takehiro Tomiyasu, Aston Villa goalkeeper Zion Suzuki, Crystal Palace midfielder Hidemasa Morita and Ipswich Town midfielder Daizen Maeda are among the latest arrivals.

According to FIFA agent Joel Pannick, English clubs are more confident about signing Japanese players, noting that there are fewer instances of issues with integration, discipline, or adaptation. The Japanese players already established in the Premier League, such as Brighton's Kaoru Mitoma, Liverpool's Wataru Endo, and Palace's Daichi Kamada, have provided positive examples. Other Japanese players currently in the league include Ao Tanaka, Kota Takai, and Tatsuhiro Sakamoto.

Japanese football journalist Yoshiyuki Osumi believes that Japanese players have developed a "worldly mentality" that has helped them adapt to the Premier League. With improved English language skills among players, like Maya Yoshida, who helped change the culture during the 2022 World Cup, Japanese players are better equipped to succeed in Europe. The Premier League's tactical style of play and the presence of more teams playing as coordinated units have also made it easier for Japanese players to adjust.