2023 in Japanese football

Football in Japan
Season2023
Men's football
J1 LeagueVissel Kobe
(1st title)
J2 LeagueMachida Zelvia
(1st title)
J3 LeagueEhime (1st title, 2nd tier title)
JFLHonda FC
(10th JFL title, 6th tier title)
Emperor's CupKawasaki Frontale
(2nd title)
JL CupAvispa Fukuoka
(1st title)
Super CupYokohama F. Marinos
(1st title)
Women's football
WL CupUrawa Red Diamonds
(1st title)
← 2022 Japan 2024 →

This article summarizes Japanese football in the 2023 season.

National teams[edit]

See also: Japan Football Association

Source: JFA

Men's[edit]

Senior[edit]

Main article: 2023 Japan national football team
15 June 2023 Kirin Challenge Cup[1] Japan  6–0  El Salvador Toyota, Japan
19:10 UTC+9
Report Stadium: Toyota Stadium
Attendance: 37,403
Referee: Andrew Madley (England)
20 June 2023 Kirin Challenge Cup[1] Japan  4–1  Peru Suita, Japan
18:55 UTC+9
Report
Stadium: Panasonic Stadium Suita
Attendance: 35,001
Referee: Khamis Al-Marri (Qatar)
9 September Friendly Germany  1–4  Japan Wolfsburg, Germany
20:45 UTC+2
Report
Stadium: Volkswagen Arena
Attendance: 24,980
Referee: João Pinheiro (Portugal)
12 September 2023 Kirin Challenge Cup[1] Japan  4–2  Turkey Genk, Belgium
14:20 UTC+2
Report
Stadium: Cegeka Arena
Attendance: 7,202
Referee: Allard Lindhout (Netherlands)
13 October 2023 Mizuho Blue Dream Match[2] Japan  4–1  Canada Niigata, Japan
19:35 UTC+9
Report
Stadium: Denka Big Swan Stadium
Attendance: 37,125
Referee: Alex King (Australia)
17 October 2023 Kirin Challenge Cup[1] Japan  2–0  Tunisia Kobe, Japan
19:10 UTC+9
Report Stadium: Noevir Stadium Kobe
Attendance: 26,529
Referee: Wang Di (China)
16 November 2026 World Cup qualification Japan  5–0  Myanmar Suita, Japan
19:00 UTC+9
Report Stadium: Panasonic Stadium Suita
Attendance: 34,484
Referee: Muhammad Taqi (Singapore)
21 November 2026 World Cup qualification Syria  0–5  Japan Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
17:45 UTC+3 Report
Stadium: Prince Abdullah Al Faisal Stadium
Attendance: 6,130
Referee: Ma Ning (China)

U-22[edit]

24 March International friendly[3] Germany  2–2  Japan Frankfurt, Germany
18:15 UTC+1
Report
Stadium: Stadion am Bornheimer Hang
28 March International friendly[1] Belgium  3–2  Japan Murcia, Spain
18:00 UTC+2 Report Stadium: Pinatar Arena
10 June International friendly[1][4] England  v  Japan TBD, England
--:-- Stadium: TBD

University[edit]

21 March Denso Cup Soccer Challenge Japan Japan 1–0 South Korea South Korea Saitama, Japan
13:00
Report Stadium: Urawa Komaba Stadium
Attendance: 3,858
Referee: Fuyuhi Hachiya

U-20[edit]

27 May FIFA U-20 World Cup GS Japan  1–2  Israel Mendoza, Argentina
18:00 UTC−3
Report
Stadium: Estadio Malvinas Argentinas
Attendance: 7,581
Referee: Piero Maza (Chile)

U-19[edit]

7 June Maurice Revello Tournament GS Japan  2–1  Morocco Fos-sur-Mer, France
14:00 UTC+2
Report
Stadium: Stade Parsemain
Attendance: 350
Referee: Marta Huerta de Aza (Spain)
10 June Maurice Revello Tournament GS Japan  0–2  Panama Fos-sur-Mer, France
14:00 UTC+2
Stadium: Stade Parsemain
Attendance: 300
Referee: Ivana Martinčić (Croatia)
13 June Maurice Revello Tournament GS Japan  1–2  Ivory Coast Fos-sur-Mer, France
14:00 UTC+2
Stadium: Stade Parsemain
Referee: Moatasem Al-Mazyed (Qatar)
15 June Maurice Revello Tournament 9th-10th place[a] Japan  3–3
(6–7 p)		 Europe U-21 Mediterranean Team Miramas, France
18:00 UTC+2
Stadium: Stade des Molières
Referee: Moatasem Al-Mazyed (Qatar)
Penalties

U-18[edit]

17 August SBS Cup Japan  0–1  South Korea Shizuoka, Japan
17:30 JST +09:00 Report
  • Kang Min-seong 45'
 Stadium: Kusanagi Athletic Stadium
18 August SBS Cup[a] Japan  2–0 Japan Shizuoka Prefecture Shizuoka, Japan
18:30 JST +09:00
  • Suzuki 26'
  • Nakagawa 44'
 Report Stadium: Ashitaka Park Stadium
20 August SBS Cup[a] Japan  2–2
(3–5 p)		 Japan U-20 Kanto University Selection Shizuoka, Japan
15:00 JST +09:00
  • Kuwahara 42'
  • Shiogai 71'
 Report
  • Matsunaga 18'
  • Takahashi 20'
 Stadium: Ecopa Stadium
15 November Friendly Japan  0–1  Mexico Marbella, Spain
13:00 UTC+2 Report
  • Biscayzacú 90+3'
 Stadium: Marbella Football Center
18 November Friendly Japan  2–3  England Marbella, Spain
14:00 UTC+2
  • Shiogai 48', 50'
 Report
  • Wright 14' (pen.)
  • Lankshear 37'
  • Donley 90'
 Stadium: Marbella Football Center
21 November Friendly Romania  0–2  Japan Marbella, Spain
11:00 UTC+2 Report
  • Ozeki 16'
  • Funabashi 22'
 Stadium: Marbella Football Center
21 December Ibaraki Next Gen Cup U-20 Kanto University Selection Japan 1–1  Japan Mito, Japan
11:00 UTC+9
  • Ishimoto 86'
 Report
  • Shiogai 11'
 Stadium: Twin Field
23 December Ibaraki Next Gen Cup U-22 All Ibaraki Japan 0–0  Japan Mito, Japan
14:00 UTC+9 Report Stadium: K's denki Stadium Mito
24 December Ibaraki Next Gen Cup Japan  4–0  Uzbekistan Mito, Japan
11:00 UTC+9
  • Shiogai 2'
  • Nakagawa 10'
  • Yasuda 41'
  • Sato 84'
 Report Stadium: K's denki Stadium Mito
  1. ^ a b c Not considered an official international match by FIFA

U-17[edit]

17 June AFC U-17 Asian Cup GS Japan  1–1  Uzbekistan Bangkok, Thailand
17:00 UTC+7
Report
  • Amirbek Saidov 83'
 Stadium: Rajamangala Stadium
Referee: Mongkolchai Pechsri (Thailand)
20 June AFC U-17 Asian Cup GS Vietnam  0–4  Japan Bangkok, Thailand
17:00 UTC+7 Report
Stadium: Rajamangala Stadium
Referee: Ali Reda (Lebanon)
23 June AFC U-17 Asian Cup GS Japan  8–4  India Bangkok, Thailand
19:00 UTC+7
  • Gakuto Kawamura 13'
  • Gaku Nawata 41', 45'
  • Shuto Nagano 52'
  • Kohei Mochizuki 54'
  • Yotaro Nakajima 74'
  • Gota Yamaguchi 90+6'
  • Shungo Sugiura 90+8'
 Report
  • Mukul Panwar 47'
  • Danny Meitei Laishram 62'
  • Daiki Miyagawa 69' (o.g.)
  • Korou Singh Thingujam 79'
 Stadium: Rajamangala Stadium
Referee: Nasrullo Kabirov (Tajikistan)
26 June AFC U-17 Asian Cup QF Japan  3–1  Australia Pathum Thani, Thailand
17:00 UTC+7
Report
Stadium: Pathum Thani Stadium
Referee: Mongkolchai Pechsri (Thailand)
29 June AFC U-17 Asian Cup SF Iran  0–3  Japan Pathum Thani, Thailand
17:00 UTC+7 Report
  • Ryunosuke Yada 10'
  • Kohei Mochizuki 25'
  • Ryunosuke Sato 74'
 Stadium: Thammasat Stadium
Referee: Nasrullo Kabirov (Tajikistan)
2 July AFC U-17 Asian Cup F South Korea  0–3  Japan Pathum Thani, Thailand
19:00 UTC+7 Report
Stadium: Pathum Thani Stadium
Referee: Mongkolchai Pechsri (Thailand)
8 August Balcom BMW Cup U-18 Sanfrecce Hiroshima Japan 2–4  Japan Hiroshima, Japan
16:00 UTC+9
  • Hagumu Nakagawa 17'
  • Alen Inoue 18'
 Report
  • Katsuma Fuse 66'
  • Motoki Nishihara 70'
  • Own goal 73' (o.g.)
  • So Yunoki 77'
 Stadium: Hiroshima Regional Park No. 1 Ball Game Stadium
10 August Balcom BMW Cup U-18 Hiroshima Prefecture HS Japan 2–4  Japan Hiroshima, Japan
16:00 UTC+9
  • Yuga Arai 32'
  • Keita Okamoto 58'
 Report
  • Tokumo Kawai 3'
  • Daichi Suzuki 8', 30'
  • Gota Yamaguchi 72'
 Stadium: Hiroshima Regional Park No. 1 Ball Game Stadium
11 August Balcom BMW Cup Japan  4–0  Uzbekistan Hiroshima, Japan
15:00 UTC+9
  • Taiyo Yamaguchi 24'
  • Rento Takaoka 28'
  • Motoki Nishihara 64'
  • Rui Ageishi 76'
 Report Stadium: Hiroshima Regional Park No. 1 Ball Game Stadium
6 September Limoges Tournament Japan  1–3  Portugal Limoges, France
15:00 UTC+2
  • Kaito Tsuchiya 42'
 Report
  • João Fonseca 55'
  • João Infante 66', 90'
 Stadium: Stade Beaublanc
Referee: Yassir Touil (France)
8 September Limoges Tournament Japan  4–0  England Limoges, France
15:00 UTC+2
  • Alen Inoue 9', 63'
  • Gakuto Kawamura 41'
  • Shotaro Shibata 90+3'
 Report Stadium: Stade Beaublanc
10 September Limoges Tournament France  2–0  Japan Limoges, France
18:00 UTC+2
  • Mathis Lambourde 4'
  • Joan Tincres 90'
 Report Stadium: Stade Beaublanc
14 September International Youth Soccer in Niigata Japan  2–3  Venezuela Niigata, Japan
15:30 UTC+9
  • Keito Kumashiro 78' (pen.)
  • Hiroki Nishikawa 90+4'
 Report
  • David Martínez 2', 60'
  • Yiandro Raap 85'
 Stadium: Niigata Athletic Stadium
16 September International Youth Soccer in Niigata Japan  2–0  New Zealand Niigata, Japan
15:30 UTC+9
  • Kantaro Maeda 26'
  • Umi Kajisa 43'
 Report Stadium: Niigata Athletic Stadium
18 September International Youth Soccer in Niigata Japan  5–1 Japan Niigata Prefecture Niigata, Japan
15:30 UTC+9
  • Kantaro Maeda 16'
  • Keito Kumashiro 19', 36', 90+1'
  • Sean Kotake 44'
 Report
  • Takumi Yasuno 48'
 Stadium: Denka Big Swan Stadium
11 November FIFA U-17 World Cup GS Japan  1–0  Poland Bandung, Indonesia
16:00 UTC+7
Report Stadium: Jalak Harupat Stadium
Attendance: 4,961
Referee: Pierre Atcho (Gabon)
14 November FIFA U-17 World Cup GS Japan  1–3  Argentina Bandung, Indonesia
19:00 UTC+7
Report
Stadium: Jalak Harupat Stadium
Attendance: 12,324
Referee: João Pinheiro (Portugal)
17 November FIFA U-17 World Cup GS Senegal  0–2  Japan Bandung, Indonesia
16:00 UTC+7 Report
Stadium: Jalak Harupat Stadium
Attendance: 5,079
Referee: Rade Obrenovic (Slovenia)
20 November FIFA U-17 World Cup R16 Spain  2–1  Japan Surakarta, Indonesia
19:00 UTC+7
Report
Stadium: Manahan Stadium
Attendance: 8,587
Referee: Pierre Atcho (Gabon)

U-16[edit]

31 May U-16 International Dream Cup[5] Japan  1–2  United States Hirono, Japan
15:00 UTC+9
  • Keito Kumashiro 90+4'
 Report
  • Santiago Morales 60'
  • Sean Petrie 83'
 Stadium: J-Village Stadium
Attendance: 175
Referee: Yoshikazu Matsuzawa (Japan)
2 June U-16 International Dream Cup[5] Japan  6–1  Nigeria Hirono, Japan
15:00 UTC+9
  • Shuto Oishi 2'
  • Keito Kumashiro 17', 32'
  • Kento Hamasaki 66'
  • Kota Sekiguchi 78'
  • Yusei Shima 90'
 Report
  • Azuka Alatan 50'
 Stadium: J-Village Stadium
Attendance: 135
Referee: Ryo Munakata (Japan)
4 June U-16 International Dream Cup[5] Japan  4–2  Netherlands Hirono, Japan
15:00 UTC+9
  • Yusei Shima 4'
  • Yuta Sugawara 10'
  • Kento Hamasaki 48'
  • Shuto Oishi 50'
 Report
  • Lyfe Oldenstam 3'
  • Gino Verhulst 51'
 Stadium: J-Village Stadium
Attendance: 700
Referee: Takahito Seta (Japan)

U-15[edit]

1 September EAFF U15 Championship GS Guam  0–26  Japan Qingdao, China
15:00 UTC+8 Report
Report
  • Minato Hara 2', 20', 36', 45+1'
  • Naoto Ogawa 3'
  • Kei Urakawa 6', 22', 39', 45', 54'
  • Riku Fushihara 11'
  • Eita Sasaki 18', 40', 43'
  • Haru Nagano 47', 65'
  • Keita Kashu 48'
  • Haruto Yoshida 53', 73'
  • Ryojiro Nobushige 61', 62', 72', 82', 88'
  • Yuto Taka 78', 85'
 Stadium: Qingdao Citizen Fitness Center Pitch No.2
Attendance: 30
Referee: Yang Yizhou (China)
3 September EAFF U15 Championship GS Chinese Taipei  0–2  Japan Qingdao, China
10:00 UTC+8 Report
Report
  • Yuto Taka 11'
  • Ryojiro Nobushige 21'
 Stadium: Qingdao Citizen Fitness Center Pitch No.2
Attendance: 31
Referee: Maher Alali (Lebanon)
5 September EAFF U15 Championship GS Japan  10–3  Hong Kong Qingdao, China
10:00 UTC+8
  • Yuto Taka 34', 43', 45+1', 62'
  • Rei Otake 47', 90+2'
  • Kei Urakawa 54'
  • Minato Hara 73'
  • Eita Sasaki 77', 87'
 Report
Report
  • Chin Yu Ho Jeffrey 10'
  • Yiu Tsz Leong 14'
  • Choi Long Hei 38'
 Stadium: Qingdao Baisha Bay Football Center Pitch No.9
Attendance: 68
Referee: Maher Alali (Lebanon)
7 September EAFF U15 Championship SF Japan  4–0  South Korea Qingdao, China
10:00 UTC+8
  • Haruki Watanabe 27'
  • Minato Hara 33'
  • Yuto Taka 65'
  • Kei Urakawa 78'
 Report
Report		 Stadium: Qingdao Citizen Fitness Center Pitch No.2
Attendance: 26
Referee: Maher Alali (Lebanon)
8 September EAFF U15 Championship Final China  0–0
(4–2 p)		  Japan Qingdao, China
19:00 UTC+8 Report
Report		 Stadium: Qingdao Youth Stadium
Attendance: 0
Referee: Maher Alali (Lebanon)
31 October Val de Marne Tournament Japan  1–2  England Val-de-Marne, France
14:00 UTC+2
  • Yuito Kamo 32'
 Report
  • Goal 74', 80+3'
 Stadium: Didier Pironi Sports Complex
2 November Val de Marne Tournament Japan  3–1   Switzerland Val-de-Marne, France
14:00 UTC+2
  • Minato Yoshida 41', 45'
  • Shohei Takemoto 59'
 Report
Stadium: Maisons Rouges Sports Complex
4 November Val de Marne Tournament France  3–1  Japan Val-de-Marne, France
16:00 UTC+2
  • Ibrahim Mbaye 13'
  • Djylian N'Guessan 33' (pen.), 50'
 Report
  • Hiroto Asada 43'
 Stadium: Léo Lagrange Sports Complex

Futsal[edit]

2 March NFDF Futsal Championship GS[6] Mozambique  0–5  Japan Pattaya, Thailand
18:00 UTC+7 Report (JFA)
Stadium: Eastern National Sports Training Center
3 March NFDF Futsal Championship GS[6] Japan  4–1  Thailand Pattaya, Thailand
18:00 UTC+7
Report (JFA)
  • Goal 34'
 Stadium: Eastern National Sports Training Center
5 March NFDF Futsal Championship SF[6] Japan  1–0  Saudi Arabia Pattaya, Thailand
20:15 UTC+7
Report (JFA) Stadium: Eastern National Sports Training Center
7 March NFDF Futsal Championship F[6] Iran  4–1  Japan Pattaya, Thailand
20:15 UTC+7
  • Goal 31', 33', 36', 39'
 Report (JFA)
Stadium: Eastern National Sports Training Center
14 April Friendly/Morocco Tour Japan  2–3  Morocco Rabat, Morocco
22:00 UTC±0
Report
  • Goal 9', 12', 32'
 Stadium: Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium
15 April Friendly/Morocco Tour Japan  0–3  France Rabat, Morocco
18:00 UTC±0 Report
  • Goal 4', 26', 39'
 Stadium: Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium
17 April Friendly/Morocco Tour Japan  1–0  Croatia Rabat, Morocco
21:00 UTC±0
Report Stadium: Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium
13 September Futsal Nations Cup GS Brazil  2–0  Japan São Paulo, Brazil
20:30 UTC−3
Report Stadium: Arena Sorocaba
15 September Futsal Nations Cup GS Saudi Arabia  1–2  Japan São Paulo, Brazil
15:00 UTC−3
  • Goal 33'
 Report
Stadium: Arena Sorocaba
16 September Futsal Nations Cup SF Japan  0–2  Iran São Paulo, Brazil
13:00 UTC−3 Report
  • Goal 33', 34'
 Stadium: Arena Sorocaba
17 September Futsal Nations Cup 3rd place match Japan  3–7  Paraguay São Paulo, Brazil
07:00 UTC−3
Report
  • Goal 3', 6', 8', 17', 22', 32', 38'
 Stadium: Arena Sorocaba
7 October AFC Futsal Asian Cup qual. Australia  0–4  Japan Taipei, Chinese Taipei
19:00 UTC+8 Report
Stadium: University of Taipei, Tianmu Campus Gymnasium
11 October AFC Futsal Asian Cup qual. Japan  3–0  Chinese Taipei Taipei, Chinese Taipei
19:00 UTC+8
Report Stadium: University of Taipei, Tianmu Campus Gymnasium
22 November International friendly[1] Uzbekistan  0–2  Japan Tashkent, Uzbekistan
Report Stadium: Yunusobod Sport Complex
24 November International friendly[1] Uzbekistan  3–4  Japan Tashkent, Uzbekistan
Report Stadium: Yunusobod Sport Complex
14 December International friendly[1] Japan  1–1  Argentina Ota, Japan
19:00 UTC+9 Report Stadium: Ota City General Gymnasium
17 December International friendly[1] Japan  1–1  Argentina Obihiro, Japan
Report Stadium: Obihiro City General Gymnasium

U-23 futsal[edit]

31 January 2023 (2023-01-31) International friendly[7][8] France  3–4  Japan Saint-Brice-sous-Forêt, France
20:00 UTC+1 Report (JFA)
Report (JFA)
  • Harada 13'
  • Mori 15', 40'
  • Kanazawa 37'
 Stadium: Centre Culturel et Sportif
1 February 2023 (2023-02-01) International friendly[7][8] France  1–6  Japan France
Report (JFA)

U-20 futsal[edit]

Unofficial results:

16 May F.League Ocean Cup Japan U-19  0–2 Japan YSCC Yokohama Hachioji, Japan
13:00 UTC+9 Report
Stadium: Ésforta Arena Hachiōji
Attendance: 302
Referee: Akane Yagi

Beach soccer[edit]

17 March AFC Beach Soccer Asian Cup GS Japan  7–0  Indonesia Pattaya, Thailand
18:30 TST (UTC+7)
Report Stadium: Jomtiem Beach Arena
Referee: Suwat Wongsuwan (Thailand)
19 March AFC Beach Soccer Asian Cup GS China  1–6  Japan Pattaya, Thailand
18:30 TST (UTC+7)