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Know your team: Japan

Wed, 02 Sep, 2026

Know your team: Japan

Kuala Lumpur: Japan will head into the FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup Poland 2026 determined to lay their hands on the trophy for a second time.

Akira Ijiri's side will have a spring in their step after emerging AFC U20 Women's Asian Cup Thailand 2026™ champions in April.

Hwang moves to Schalke; Diaby leaves Al Ittihad

Wed, 02 Sep, 2026

Hwang moves to Schalke; Diaby leaves Al Ittihad

Kuala Lumpur: Korea Republic international Hwang Hee-chan sealed a loan move to Schalke 04, while Moussa Diaby ended his spell with Saudi Arabia’s Al Ittihad Club to return to Bayer Leverkusen on transfer deadline day for European clubs on Tuesday.

Also making a switch were Japan internationals Yukinari Sugawara and Kota Takai, while Australia forward Kusini Yengi joined Sanfrecce Hiroshima on loan.

Ueda makes Lille switch; Choudhury off to United

Tue, 01 Sep, 2026

Ueda makes Lille switch; Choudhury off to United

Kuala Lumpur: Japan international Ayase Ueda traded Dutch football for the French Ligue as he secured a move to four-time champions Lille OSC.

Bangladesh international Hamza Choudhury will also be playing in new colours, having signed for Sheffield United in the English Championship.

Qualifiers - Group G: Japan 4-0 Kuwait; Yemen 1-2 Cambodia

Mon, 31 Aug, 2026

Qualifiers - Group G: Japan 4-0 Kuwait; Yemen 1-2 Cambodia

Phnom Penh: Japan produced a masterful performance to kick off their AFC U20 Asian Cup China 2027™ Qualifiers Group G campaign with a 4-0 defeat of Kuwait on Monday.

Hosts Cambodia also got off to a winning start, defeating Yemen 2-1.

https://www.the-afc.com/en/national/afc_u20_asian_cup.html/photo/qualifiers-group-g-japan-v-kuwait-yemen-v-cambodia

East Asia Wrap: Rongcheng, Seoul stay firmly in charge

Mon, 31 Aug, 2026

East Asia Wrap: Rongcheng, Seoul stay firmly in charge

Tokyo: Chengdu Rongcheng and FC Seoul maintained their grips on the title races in China PR and Korea Republic respectively with victories.

In Japan, Kashiwa Reysol and Kashima Antlers stayed perfect while the season in Hong Kong, China is also beginning to see twists and turns.

Join the-AFC.com in our weekly wrap of the domestic football scene across East Asia.

Nakayama dots deal with Serbian champions

Mon, 31 Aug, 2026

Nakayama dots deal with Serbian champions

Kuala Lumpur: Yuta Nakayama is jetting off for another European adventure after signing with Serbian Superliga side FK Crvena Zvezda on Saturday.

The Japanese defender had previously played for PEC Zwolle and Huddersfield Town between 2019 and 2024.

Ito heads to Bolton; Hayashi signs for City

Sat, 29 Aug, 2026

Ito heads to Bolton; Hayashi signs for City

Kuala Lumpur: Bolton Wanderers have confirmed the signing of Japan international Atsuki Ito from Belgian side KAA Gent on a three-year deal.

Also on the move is compatriot Momo Hayashi, who has joined Melbourne City after two seasons with Brisbane Roar, while Philippines international Katrina Guillou, Javi Hernandez and Tyrese Francois were also among those completing moves.

Legend Endo backs Kashima to make strong return

Sat, 22 Aug, 2026

Legend Endo backs Kashima to make strong return

Kuala Lumpur: Kashima Antler’s wait to return to the AFC Champions League Elite™ is finally over and Yasushi Endo is backing his former club to lead the way for Japanese teams in the competition.

The 38-year-old spent 15 years with Kashima and hit the highest of peaks in 2018 when he helped the club to their only Asian title with a 2-0 aggregate victory against Persepolis FC of Islamic Republic of Iran in the AFC Champions League™ final.

Since a quarter-final exit ended their title defence in 2019, Kashima finally booked a return to the top tier of Asian football by emerging J1 League champions in 2025.

Guiagon joins Al Taawoun; Al Hamadi seals Wednesday loan

Thu, 27 Aug, 2026

Guiagon joins Al Taawoun; Al Hamadi seals Wednesday loan

Kuala Lumpur: Cote d’Ivoire International Parfait Guiagon has penned a deal with Saudi Pro League side Al Taawoun FC while Iraq’s Ali Al Hamadi has gone on loan to English outfit Sheffield Wednesday.

Punjab FC strengthened their defence with Patrick Bahanack, Hinata Kida completed a permanent switch to JEF United Ichihara Chiba and Jessika Nash returned to Australia with Melbourne City.

New pastures for Fujio, Al Obud

Wed, 26 Aug, 2026

New pastures for Fujio, Al Obud

Kuala Lumpur: Shota Fujio completed a permanent move to Kashiwa Reysol from FC Machida Zelvia after two seasons with the club.

Over in Saudi Arabia, Abdulrahman Al Oboud was confirmed as Al Shabab FC’s new signing.

Europe Wrap: Dream La Liga start for Lee

Tue, 25 Aug, 2026

Europe Wrap: Dream La Liga start for Lee

Kuala Lumpur: Korea Republic’s Lee Kang-in netted on his debut for Atletico Madrid as the midfielder joined Saudi Arabia’s Saud Abdulhamid, Syria's Aiham Ousou and Japan’s Ayumu Yokoyama in scoring their first goals of the season.

Other Asian stars also made first appearances as the English Premier League, French Ligue 1, Italy’s Serie A and Spain’s La Liga kicked off their 2026/27 season, so follow the-AFC.com as we look at what Asia’s finest have been up to in Europe.