David Wyatt-Hupton
@davidwh.bsky.social
Mainly here to talk about J-League. Posting the latest news & rumours. I love Japanese football ⚽
Work for DAZN on J-League, NPB, NFL, Serie A, La Liga.
Vissel Kobe. Sumo. Tokyo Yakult Swallows.
Jets. Mets. Rangers. Norwich City.
Work for DAZN on J-League, NPB, NFL, Serie A, La Liga.
Vissel Kobe. Sumo. Tokyo Yakult Swallows.
Jets. Mets. Rangers. Norwich City.
Reports in Japan are suggesting that Hiroshima have beaten out 5 other clubs to the signing of Shonan captain Akito Suzuki. The 22-year-old wants to test himself before moving to Europe apparently. 9 goals, 4 assists last year, he's top class. Would have loved him at Kobe #J1
December 21, 2025 at 7:57 PM
Reports in Japan are suggesting that Hiroshima have beaten out 5 other clubs to the signing of Shonan captain Akito Suzuki. The 22-year-old wants to test himself before moving to Europe apparently. 9 goals, 4 assists last year, he's top class. Would have loved him at Kobe #J1
Fūki Yamada is heading back to Japan after a disappointing loan in Portugal with Nacional. According to reports in Japan, FC Tokyo are signing him on a permanent deal from Kyoto Sanga. Last time we saw him in J1 it was with FC's bitter rivals Tokyo Verdy. Not sure what Park Il-gyu is doing here 😂
December 20, 2025 at 10:07 PM
Fūki Yamada is heading back to Japan after a disappointing loan in Portugal with Nacional. According to reports in Japan, FC Tokyo are signing him on a permanent deal from Kyoto Sanga. Last time we saw him in J1 it was with FC's bitter rivals Tokyo Verdy. Not sure what Park Il-gyu is doing here 😂
Asahi Uenaka is leaving Yokohama FM for Gamba Osaka. 8 goals and 4 assists in J1 last season despite all the upheaval at YFM. Actually think this is an outstanding signing for Gamba and still only 24, he's probably going to get even better. Would have liked Uenaka at Kobe.
December 18, 2025 at 12:49 PM
Asahi Uenaka is leaving Yokohama FM for Gamba Osaka. 8 goals and 4 assists in J1 last season despite all the upheaval at YFM. Actually think this is an outstanding signing for Gamba and still only 24, he's probably going to get even better. Would have liked Uenaka at Kobe.
After a very short absence Mihailo Petrović is back in J1, this time as manager of Nagoya. Last seen getting Sapporo relegated at the end of the 2024 season. He does have plenty of J1 experience, not just with Sapporo but with Urawa and Sanfrecce, was J-League manager of the year back in 2018. #J1
December 18, 2025 at 12:44 PM
After a very short absence Mihailo Petrović is back in J1, this time as manager of Nagoya. Last seen getting Sapporo relegated at the end of the 2024 season. He does have plenty of J1 experience, not just with Sapporo but with Urawa and Sanfrecce, was J-League manager of the year back in 2018. #J1
JEF have a new signing in the form of Takushoku University forward Takumi Matsumura (younger brother of Kashima's Yuta) - Was the leading goal scorer and assister in Kanto University Soccer League Division 2 this year. Quite looking forward to seeing him next season. #J1
December 18, 2025 at 9:53 AM
JEF have a new signing in the form of Takushoku University forward Takumi Matsumura (younger brother of Kashima's Yuta) - Was the leading goal scorer and assister in Kanto University Soccer League Division 2 this year. Quite looking forward to seeing him next season. #J1
Riku Matsuda has made a permanent transfer away from Kobe to BG Pathum United F.C in Thailand. At 34 this is probably the right move for him, never got going at Kobe after his move from Gamba Osaka, only appeared in 2 games in J1 last season. He'll do a job in that league though. #J1 #ヴィッセル神戸
December 18, 2025 at 9:49 AM
Kawasaki have confirmed the signing of Kazuya Konno (紺野 和也) from Avispa on a permanent deal. Scored 3 goals in 36 appearances for Fukuoka in J1 last season, although he somehow didn't register a single assist despite creating 49 chances (2nd highest on the team). Decent signing for Frontale. #J1
December 17, 2025 at 9:05 AM
Kawasaki have confirmed the signing of Kazuya Konno (紺野 和也) from Avispa on a permanent deal. Scored 3 goals in 36 appearances for Fukuoka in J1 last season, although he somehow didn't register a single assist despite creating 49 chances (2nd highest on the team). Decent signing for Frontale. #J1
There will also be a new award for the short season, the Kamamoto Kunishige Award, given to the top goal scorer in the regional and playoff rounds combined, regardless of whether they are in the J1, J2, or J3 league. To honour arguably Japan's best ever player who died in August of this year.
December 15, 2025 at 6:24 PM
There will also be a new award for the short season, the Kamamoto Kunishige Award, given to the top goal scorer in the regional and playoff rounds combined, regardless of whether they are in the J1, J2, or J3 league. To honour arguably Japan's best ever player who died in August of this year.
Meiji Yasuda J.League Century Vision League
Group Draw Results Announced!
Group Draw Results Announced!
December 15, 2025 at 2:51 PM
Meiji Yasuda J.League Century Vision League
Group Draw Results Announced!
Group Draw Results Announced!
Kawasaki made the signing of Svend Brodersen from Okayama official today. "I hope to work with the other goalkeepers and defensemen to turn Todoroki into an invincible fortress" - Super signing for Frontale. #J1
December 15, 2025 at 2:45 PM
Kawasaki made the signing of Svend Brodersen from Okayama official today. "I hope to work with the other goalkeepers and defensemen to turn Todoroki into an invincible fortress" - Super signing for Frontale. #J1
I think Kashiwa signing Tomoaki Ōkubo from Urawa is a very decent signing for Reysol. 16 appearances in J1 last season and plenty of talent, still only 27 so still plenty of time to continue developing that end product, which has been missing recently.
December 15, 2025 at 12:39 PM
I think Kashiwa signing Tomoaki Ōkubo from Urawa is a very decent signing for Reysol. 16 appearances in J1 last season and plenty of talent, still only 27 so still plenty of time to continue developing that end product, which has been missing recently.
Known about this for a while now, but it was made official today and I'm incredibly proud that DAZN is going to be playing a big role in the All-Star. Loads more details to come, but it's a great initiative which puts the choice in the hands of fans. #J1
www.dazn.com/ja-JP/news/%...
www.dazn.com/ja-JP/news/%...
December 15, 2025 at 12:33 PM
Known about this for a while now, but it was made official today and I'm incredibly proud that DAZN is going to be playing a big role in the All-Star. Loads more details to come, but it's a great initiative which puts the choice in the hands of fans. #J1
www.dazn.com/ja-JP/news/%...
www.dazn.com/ja-JP/news/%...
Don't think I saw this one coming.
Vissel Kobe have announced they've hired Michael Skibbe from Sanfrecce Hiroshima as their new manager following Takayuki Yoshida's exit. Skibbe has managed some of the best clubs in football (Dortmund, Frankfurt, Galatasaray). Great hire for Kobe. #J1
Vissel Kobe have announced they've hired Michael Skibbe from Sanfrecce Hiroshima as their new manager following Takayuki Yoshida's exit. Skibbe has managed some of the best clubs in football (Dortmund, Frankfurt, Galatasaray). Great hire for Kobe. #J1
December 14, 2025 at 2:36 PM
Don't think I saw this one coming.
Vissel Kobe have announced they've hired Michael Skibbe from Sanfrecce Hiroshima as their new manager following Takayuki Yoshida's exit. Skibbe has managed some of the best clubs in football (Dortmund, Frankfurt, Galatasaray). Great hire for Kobe. #J1
Vissel Kobe have announced they've hired Michael Skibbe from Sanfrecce Hiroshima as their new manager following Takayuki Yoshida's exit. Skibbe has managed some of the best clubs in football (Dortmund, Frankfurt, Galatasaray). Great hire for Kobe. #J1
Shinzō Kōroki held his retirement match today. Started in 2005 and 168 J1 goals later he called time on an illustrious career. He surprised the crowd by delivering his speech in English, stating afterwards its because of his desire to be a manager and communicate with foreign players. #J1
December 13, 2025 at 1:31 PM
Shinzō Kōroki held his retirement match today. Started in 2005 and 168 J1 goals later he called time on an illustrious career. He surprised the crowd by delivering his speech in English, stating afterwards its because of his desire to be a manager and communicate with foreign players. #J1
Jens Wissing is a bit of a gamble hire for Gamba. Plenty of experience as an assistant at clubs like Benfica, PSV and Salzburg but he hasn't managed since 2019 and even then that was with Gievenbeck who were well down the leagues. 2nd German manager in Gamba history after Sigfried Held in 1995.
December 13, 2025 at 7:46 AM
Jens Wissing is a bit of a gamble hire for Gamba. Plenty of experience as an assistant at clubs like Benfica, PSV and Salzburg but he hasn't managed since 2019 and even then that was with Gievenbeck who were well down the leagues. 2nd German manager in Gamba history after Sigfried Held in 1995.
That was closer than i expected it to be, but JEF dominated large periods of the game and were worthy winners. Great header from Carlinhos Junior and that came moments after Thonny Anderson saw a volley cannon off the bar, Anderson guilty of wasting a couple of chances. We get the Chiba Derby back.
December 13, 2025 at 7:38 AM
That was closer than i expected it to be, but JEF dominated large periods of the game and were worthy winners. Great header from Carlinhos Junior and that came moments after Thonny Anderson saw a volley cannon off the bar, Anderson guilty of wasting a couple of chances. We get the Chiba Derby back.
Bit of a surprise with the J1 Player of the Year away.
Tomoki Hayakawa
Tomoki Hayakawa
December 11, 2025 at 9:33 AM
Bit of a surprise with the J1 Player of the Year away.
Tomoki Hayakawa
Tomoki Hayakawa
J1's Best XI - Announced at the J1 Awards
Tomoki Hayakawa - Kashima
Naomichi Ueda - Kashima
Taiyo Koga - Kashiwa
Hayato Araki - Sanfrecce
Yoshio Koizumi - Kashiwa
Sho Inagaki - Nagoya
Satoshi Tanaka - Sanfrecce
Yuki Soma - Machida
Tatsuya Itō - Kawasaki
Léo Ceará - Kashima
Rafael Elias - Kyoto
Tomoki Hayakawa - Kashima
Naomichi Ueda - Kashima
Taiyo Koga - Kashiwa
Hayato Araki - Sanfrecce
Yoshio Koizumi - Kashiwa
Sho Inagaki - Nagoya
Satoshi Tanaka - Sanfrecce
Yuki Soma - Machida
Tatsuya Itō - Kawasaki
Léo Ceará - Kashima
Rafael Elias - Kyoto
December 11, 2025 at 9:20 AM
J1's Best XI - Announced at the J1 Awards
Tomoki Hayakawa - Kashima
Naomichi Ueda - Kashima
Taiyo Koga - Kashiwa
Hayato Araki - Sanfrecce
Yoshio Koizumi - Kashiwa
Sho Inagaki - Nagoya
Satoshi Tanaka - Sanfrecce
Yuki Soma - Machida
Tatsuya Itō - Kawasaki
Léo Ceará - Kashima
Rafael Elias - Kyoto
Tomoki Hayakawa - Kashima
Naomichi Ueda - Kashima
Taiyo Koga - Kashiwa
Hayato Araki - Sanfrecce
Yoshio Koizumi - Kashiwa
Sho Inagaki - Nagoya
Satoshi Tanaka - Sanfrecce
Yuki Soma - Machida
Tatsuya Itō - Kawasaki
Léo Ceará - Kashima
Rafael Elias - Kyoto
Officially announced that Maciej Skorja will stay with Urawa next season as their manager, despite the issues this year and the underwhelming performance. "I want to make this a season where we can fight with a different mindset and atmosphere than before" There was talk he'd head back to Poland.
December 9, 2025 at 2:35 PM
Officially announced that Maciej Skorja will stay with Urawa next season as their manager, despite the issues this year and the underwhelming performance. "I want to make this a season where we can fight with a different mindset and atmosphere than before" There was talk he'd head back to Poland.
Ryūnosuke Satō wins J1's Best Young Player Award. Only 19 and was outstanding on loan at Okayama (from FC Tokyo). 6 goals, 2 assists and a national team call up, can play all over the midfield. Should be a regular in Tokyo next season and definitely a name to watch for the future for Europe.
December 9, 2025 at 2:34 PM
Ryūnosuke Satō wins J1's Best Young Player Award. Only 19 and was outstanding on loan at Okayama (from FC Tokyo). 6 goals, 2 assists and a national team call up, can play all over the midfield. Should be a regular in Tokyo next season and definitely a name to watch for the future for Europe.
Race is on for Rafael Ratão. Cerezo are struggling to strike a deal with Bahia over a permanent move after the Brazilian scored 18 J1 goals while on loan this season. According to Yahoo it's now unlikely he'll stay in Osaka. He has an offer from China but Kobe also very interested.
December 9, 2025 at 9:00 AM
Race is on for Rafael Ratão. Cerezo are struggling to strike a deal with Bahia over a permanent move after the Brazilian scored 18 J1 goals while on loan this season. According to Yahoo it's now unlikely he'll stay in Osaka. He has an offer from China but Kobe also very interested.