Reason for selection（2024）
Ryo Nakagawara
GK
Zion Suzuki（Parma）
鈴木 彩艶（Parma）
Despite a poor Asian Cup (which was clearly not all his fault), very good season at STVV which led to a transfer to Parma where he has continued his good performances including for Japan throughout the AFC Qualifiers.
Honorable mention: Leo Brian Kokubo (Sint-Truiden)
DF
Hiroki Sekine（Kashiwa Reysol）
関根 大輝（柏）
RWB: Athletic Right Back who is really strong in 1v1 defending and is very good in the air. Lack of assists was disappointing but that was also an issue with Reysol as a team. I'm expecting him to get a transfer to Europe soon.
Shuto Nakano（Sanfrecce Hiroshima）
中野 就斗（広島）
RCB: Very versatile, strong in the air and on the ground. Fantastic ability to drive forward and support the attack with under/overlaps. I've been surprised that he hasn't been called up to the national team so far.
Rion Ichihara（Omiya Ardija）
市原 吏音（大宮）
CB: A great mix of technical and physical skills at such a young age. Vision for good forward passes out from the back and a leader in a Back 3 or Back 4 already. Still needs a year or two in the J.League but I think he has a very good future. (I wrote about him in depth here: https://www.shogunsoccer.com/p/shogun-soccer-scouting-3-rion-ichihara)
Junnosuke Suzuki（Shonan Bellmare）
鈴木 淳之介（湘南）
LCB: A big part of Shonan's surge to J1 survival in the 2nd Half of the season. Strong defensively but what stood out was his ability to carry the ball forward from defense and make good passes from the backline. With Satoshi Tanaka leaving, it'll be interesting if he stays at LCB or gets moved into midfield.
Kaili Shimbo（Renofa Yamaguchi）
新保 海鈴（山口）
LWB: Slowly climbed up the J.League pyramid and really shone brightly in J2 this season. Very athletic defender who can get up-and-down the pitch quickly. His varied crossing ability from open play and set-pieces with his left foot is his biggest asset. Rightfully given a chance in J1 next season with Yokohama FC and we'll see if he can handle defending vs. better J1 attackers in 2025 to gauge whether if he can go beyond Japan. (I wrote about him in depth here: https://www.shogunsoccer.com/p/shogun-soccer-scouting-4-kaili-shimbo)
Honorable mentions: Koki Machida (Union SG), Hayato Tanaka (V-Varen Nagasaki), Shunki Higashi (Sanfrecce Hiroshima), Taiga Hata (Shonan Bellmare), Renan (Renofa Yamaguchi), Shunya Yoneda (V-Varen Nagasaki)
MF
Yuto Ozeki（Fukushima United）
大関 友翔（福島）
CM: A ball progression machine with intelligent positioning, vision, and awareness in midfield. Crisp and imaginative passing to break opponent lines. I'm very interested if he can make the (large) step up from J3 to J1 next season as Kawasaki Frontale have recalled him for 2025. (I wrote about him in depth here: https://www.shogunsoccer.com/p/shogun-soccer-scouting-5-yuto-ozeki)
Hidemasa Morita（Sporting CP）
守田 英正（Sporting）
CM: Most of my evaluation of Morita comes from his sterling national team performances. Wonderful intelligence in the build-up and a key man in how well Japan has done in the qualifiers so far. Also I respect his harsh but correct rebuke of Moriyasu and the coaching staff after the disastrous early exit at the Asian Cup.
Honorable mentions: Matheus Jesus (V-Varen Nagasaki), Kanta Joujo (Fukushima United), Satoshi Tanaka (Shonan Bellmare), Ao Tanaka (Leeds United), Wataru Endo (Liverpool FC)
FW
Takefusa Kubo（Real Sociedad）
久保 建英（Sociedad）
RW: I thought he'd get his big move this summer but it seems we'll have to wait a while longer which is a shame as I think he'll shine brighter in a more attacking team.
Kaoru Mitoma（Brighton & Hove Albion）
三笘 薫（Brighton）
LW: After a season of injuries, Mitoma is (nearly) back to his best for club and country. I'd like to see him be more selfish and get more goals.
Honorable mentions: Ryotaro Araki (FC Tokyo), Yoshinori Muto (Vissel Kobe), Ryo Shiohama (Fukushima United), Daizen Maeda (Celtic)
Hiiro Komori（JEF United）
小森 飛絢（千葉）
ST: A pure #9. Great finisher with all body parts, sneaky and intelligent in his runs and out-thinking defenders in the box. Good at breaking off from the defensive line to drop and facilitate possession as well. I do have other concerns about him (especially physically) but his clear strengths are undeniable. (I wrote about him in depth here: https://www.shogunsoccer.com/p/shogun-soccer-scouting-6-hiiro-komori)
Honorable mentions: Kazushi Fujii (Omiya Ardija), Shin Yamada (Kawasaki Frontale), Akito Suzuki (Shonan Bellmare), Yuya Osako (Vissel Kobe)
Manager
Shuhei Terada（Fukushima United）/ Ryo Shigaki（Renofa Yamaguchi）
寺田 周平（福島）/ 志垣 良（山口）
Club