Japan’s Kozo Tashima looking to bring ‘integrity’ to Fifa
Having served as a player, coach and football bureaucrat, the 68-year-old is set to become the first Japanese candidate for the Fifa presidency.
Kozo Tashima, a 68-year-old Japanese football enthusiast, has announced his intention to run for the Fifa presidency in the upcoming election. Born in Kumamoto, Tashima first took up the sport after witnessing the 1964 Tokyo Olympics, dedicating his life to its growth ever since. He has served as a player, coach, and bureaucrat, gaining a reputation for his reliability.
Tashima's decision to run for the presidency stems from his belief that football must maintain its integrity in today's business-driven world. He expressed concern over Fifa's recent decision to lift a ban on US player Folarin Balogun and the travel restrictions imposed on Iran's World Cup team.
After coaching at a university and joining the Japan Football Association (JFA), Tashima was elected as the JFA president in 2016, overseeing significant changes within the organization. His tenure as JFA chief ended in 2024, after which he was appointed honorary president. Tashima's decision to contest the Fifa presidency is not about winning or losing but rather about sharing Japan's football integrity with the world.
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- Japan’s Kozo Tashima looking to bring ‘integrity’ to Fifa freemalaysiatoday.com
- Football: JFA honorary chief Tashima intends to vie for FIFA presidency mainichi.jp
