Scotland, the country of up-and-coming sons: why so many Japanese players in the Premiership?

Motherwell’s signing of Riku Danzaki brings the number of Japanese players in Scottish football to eight, all of whom have joined in the past two years.

Other clubs are beginning to follow suit, expanding the recruiting market for hidden gems and valuables. BBC Scotland looks at why Japan has become such an important place to scout players and how it can benefit Scottish football.

Posteco glue effect

The Celtic boss is the most influential person when recruiting players from Japan due to his deep knowledge of the league.

Reigning champions Scotland have six Japanese players on their roster, with Kyogo Furuhashi, Daizen Maeda and Reo Hatate being key players to last season’s title win, and Yuki Kobayashi and Yuki Kobayashi in January. Tomoki Iwata has joined. Yosuke Ideguchi is the only early influx who wasn’t affected.

The success of Kyogo, Maeda and Hatate has clearly alerted other clubs, with Heart of Midlothian signing forward Yutaro Oda from Kyogo’s old club Vissel Kobe and Motherwell at Consadole Sapporo. Acquired Danzaki from

“I think it came down to the fact that the club didn’t know Japanese football, and maybe the club wasn’t adventurous,” says JSoccer magazine and website editor Alan Gibson.

“Japanese players have also struggled to obtain overseas visas and work permits, but things are changing. Japan are now in the top 20 in the FIFA rankings and this will help them in the UK. It’s worth jumping into the Japanese market.”

One of the main concerns clubs have had so far with signing Japanese players is how they will adapt to a completely different culture. However, as changing rooms have become more diverse and clubs have more information available, that barrier has decreased.

And as Postecoglou pointed out last year, no two players are the same regardless of nationality.

The Celtic manager said, “I have to be careful when I say just ‘four Japanese players.’ These are four individuals and they are completely different people.

“Japan is a very different culture and for many Japanese players the initial travel is quite difficult.

“We are not trying to create a unique environment for them. They know they are here to represent this football club and they know the challenges that come with it.”

Brexit broadens horizons

Britain’s exit from the European Union ended the free movement of people across the continent, making it more difficult for Scottish clubs to acquire players from European countries.

Players signing from outside the UK must score 15 points on the Home Office grading system. This includes aspects such as international appearances, club affiliations and wages.

Most players coming to Scotland do not meet the criteria and must create a case for Governing Body Exemption.

Basically, it wasn’t like that before Brexit, but now it’s just as easy to sign players from Japan as it is from France.

This means the club is broadening its horizons, with Hearts successfully investing in players from Australia, Ross County and St. rice field.

The Asian market in particular can offer great value to Scottish clubs, who are usually competing with wealthier British and European clubs who can offer more money.

European clubs spent an average of £52,673 in fees per transfer for players playing for Asian Football Confederation clubs last year, the lowest of all confederations, according to a FIFA report.

With just 500 players from AFC clubs making the move to Europe, Concacaf is the only federation with fewer players to move to football’s richest continent.

This means less competition and higher fees.It may change when the number of Japanese increases. Players who play in Europe’s top 5 leagues — including Brighton & Hove Albion’s Kaoru Mitoma and Arsenal’s Takehiro Tomiyasu — but the J-League still represents value.

A boost to Scottish football?

From a player’s point of view, Scottish football provides a platform for them to show their qualities and adapt to a different culture, thus preparing them for the transition to the bigger leagues.

But while Vissel Kobe midfielder and World Cup winner Andrés Iniesta described Japan’s young players as “dynamic, talented and physically strong”, their skills aside, the Japanese Players offer commercial opportunities for Scottish clubs.

With a population of 125 million people, the love of football has grown in the wake of the success of the World Cup, and more and more of the best talent is moving abroad, increasing awareness and interest. .

“Celtic games are always readily available,” says Gibson. “The team is starting to get known, and I’m surprised so many people are interested now that Hearts have signed Yutaro Oda.

“Although staffing is limited due to the pandemic, hundreds of Japanese fans will be present at Celtic matches, Hearts matches and other teams signing players once things are completely settled.

“And the press will be there more and more. Five or six years ago, there were suddenly 50 journalists attending games in the countries where certain players traveled.

“They lived in the same city as these players, so there will be a huge influx of tourists and interested football tourists. There will be a lot of kickbacks in Scotland. I’m sure.”