It’s been a while since Celtic last dipped into the Japanese market for additions to our squad.
Of the 6 Japanese players we signed during Ange Postecoglou’s time with the club, only 2 remain. Perhaps Celtic’s interest in this market has waned.
J-League Risk vs Reward
It could also be argued that our hit rate from Japan has been 50/50 in terms of players ultimately making the grade at Celtic.
Personally, I think we sold Tomoki Iwata too soon. Indeed, as the search goes on for a long-term replacement for Callum McGregor, it’s frustrating to think that, with Iwata, we may have had the right player already, and let him go for next to nothing.
However, with Yosuke Ideguchi and Yuki Kobayashi, the point stands. They showed initial promise, but neither ultimately made an impact in Glasgow.
Japan Continues to Produce World Class Players
Putting things in perspective though, there’s a reason why Japan have been to every World Cup since 1998, and Scotland haven’t been to any.
With each new generation that comes through, more and more Japanese players step up and perform bin the upper echelons of European Football: The Bundesliga, Serie A, The EPL and La Liga.
Flying Under the Radar
Big clubs in Europe are wising up to the benefits of signing players from Japan. Takefusa Kubo’s move to Real Madrid despite playing only one full season in the J-League showed the potential that Europe’s elite see in this market.
However, there are still plenty of precious, raw talents in the J-League, that Celtic could pick up for very little outlay. With the proper training, these players all have the potential to hit the same heights as the likes of Daizen and Kyogo before them.
So, without further delay, here are 5 young Japanese players Celtic could look at this summer.
1) Satoshi Tanaka
We’ve already talked about the need for Celtic to find a short term back up and long-term replacement for Callum McGregor. Defensive midfielder Satoshi Tanaka has the potential to fit the bill.
A product of the youth set-up at my local team Nagano Parceiro, in J-3, the J-League’s 3rd tier, Tanaka caught the attention of bigger clubs at an early age.
He was soon snapped up by J-1 side Shonan Bellmare. After 2 successful seasons at Shonan, he joined Belgian 2nd tier side KV Kortrijk on a one-year loan, with an option to buy.
Unfortunately, things didn’t go well in Belgium, and as Kortrijk had an indifferent season, he only played 15 games.
However, following his return to Shonan in summer 2023, Tanaka rediscovered his form and became an indispensable member of the team. As his stock rose, other J-1 sides took an interest.
In January this year, he joined title contenders Sanfreece Hiroshima for an undisclosed fee.
Despite only being 22 years old, the tough tackling Tanaka has already tasted European football, and continues to improve with every season.
He has a calmness and a confidence on the ball that suggests a maturity far beyond his years. Also, don’t be fooled by his 5-foot 7 physique, this guy is a powerhouse.
Tanaka is definitely one to watch in the months ahead.
2) Kota Takai
At just 20 years old, Kota Takai still has a way to go in his development. However, the Kawasaki Frontale central defender is already a full international, being capped by Japan in September last year.
At 6”4 he cuts a commanding presence and has already been touted by some as a future Japan captain in the making.
Like many Japanese players, another of Takai’s attributes is his versatility. He has, on occasion deputized at right back for Kawasaki, and hasn’t looked out of place.
With Stephen Welsh likely to leave Celtic this summer, along with Maik Narowski, there is definitely a gap for a promising young center back looking to build his reputation in Europe and add to his single international cap.
Takai is still far from the finished article. There is undoubtedly a rawness to certain aspects of his play, but he has all the attributes to make a great center back, and an excellent acquisition for Celtic.
3) Riku Yamane
Of the 5 players we will discuss here today, Riku Yamane is perhaps the most intriguing, in terms of a potential Celtic signing.
The 21-year-old has been a stand-out in the Yokohama F Marinos midfield, particularly in their Asian Champions League Elite campaign this season.
Yamane has played all 7 of Marinos’ group stage games so far this season. They currently sit top of Group A having only lost one match.
Perhaps most pertinent for Celtic however, is Yamane’s versatility. Although primarily deployed as a creative midfielder, he can also a deeper midfield anchoring role, and has, on occasion, filled in at right back as well.
The word in Japan is that Yamane could be one of the most likely J-League stars to make the step up to European football this summer. Celtic will need to move quick on this one, he’s already attracting interest from several other big clubs.
4) Kaili Shimbo
If we’re being realistic, Celtic’s best chance of unearthing another gem from the J-League probably lies in finding a player who hasn’t caught the eyes of Europe’s big leagues yet.
22-year-old left back Kaili Shimbo fits that profile.
After serving his apprenticeship with J-2 side Renofa Yamaguchi, Shimbo made the step up to Japan’s top flight in January this year, when he signed for Yokohama FC.
With Kieran Tierney coming back to Celtic this summer, and the fates of both Greg Taylor and Jeffrey Schlupp still unknown, it’s highly likely Celtic will need a new left back this summer.
It would also probably make sense to sign an emerging talent, who is hungry to prove himself, but knows he’s not a guaranteed starter for the time being. Shimbo fits that profile.
He’s also a player who loves to push up into midfield and join the attack. He’s raw, but he’s certainly the type of player Celtic fans like to watch. With the proper encouragement, and training, he could go on to do great things for us.
5) Junpei Hayakawa
One of the most common questions I get asked by viewers on ACSOM runs along the lines of “Who is the next Daizen Maeda, and could Celtic sign him?”
Well, my honest response is that Daizen is unique. Even when I saw him turn out for Matsumoto Yamaga back in 2019, I had never seen a player with such an engine, such determination and such pace playing at that level.
However, there is one player over here who is starting to attract comparisons. That man is Urawa Reds left winger Junpei Hayakawa.
The 19-year-old spent the second half of last season on loan at Fagiano Okayama. Making 15 appearances, he played a key role in helping the provincial side gain promotion to J-1 for the first time in their history.
He returned to Urawa in January and big things are expected of him this season.
Hayakawa, like Maeda, also has the ability to play on either flank, and has lightning pace.
He’s still largely unproven in the J-League’s top tier, but the early signs are there that he could have a big future ahead of him.
An Exciting and Ever Evolving Championship
At the time of writing, we are only about half a dozen games or so into the J-League season. One of the most entertaining aspects of this league is its ability to throw up surprises.
Largely unknown side Machida Zelvia spent much of last year challenging for the title, before eventually finishing 3rd. It was their debut season in the top flight after gaining promotion.
So, don’t be surprised if I revisit this topic in a few months’ time, with a whole new list of players.