Kozo Tashima, honorary president of the Japan Football Association, will run for FIFA president in the election set for March, he said after a FIFA Council meeting. TV Asahi's Hatori Shinichi Morning Show reported the candidacy on Friday.
Tashima, who also sits on the FIFA Council, said the JFA's backing was the reason he could announce at all. "I am grateful that I can make this announcement with the full support of the JFA. I want to thank President Miyamoto," he said. "This is not about winning or losing. I have decided to run for FIFA president in order to show the integrity Japanese football has built up."
He said no outside body was behind the bid. "There is no support from anywhere else. The thing that makes me happiest is that the Japan Football Association will support me. Today's decision is something I am extremely grateful for."
A Japanese president would move the weight of football governance toward Asia, where the sport's growth has run ahead of its share of power at FIFA, which has been led by European presidents for most of its history. Tashima framed the run as a defense of sporting integrity rather than a contest between blocs.
Criticism of Infantino
Tashima has questioned FIFA and its president, Gianni Infantino, over the handling of United States forward Balogun at the World Cup — shown a red card but given a suspended ban — and over the confusion that followed the creation and then withdrawal of a subsidiary meant to run the tournament.
He cited the red card and Iran's team being unable to enter the country. "As one person in football, in an era of business and money, sport above all has to hold to integrity. I found it extremely regrettable," he said.
Nagashima backs the bid
Kazushige Nagashima, the show's Friday commentator, welcomed the candidacy. "I think it is a very good move," he said.
He then turned to Infantino, saying he was speculating. "People in football have not said this, but his closeness to President Trump, and the special measures taken for the player who got the red card — I would guess there are other things we could not imagine." He added that fans want integrity, soundness in sport and transparency over money, and that FIFA and Japan alike have to address those questions.
Nagashima said Japanese football's economy has grown since the J.League was founded, and that Japan's standing has risen sharply, including in Brazil. "I want him to run and to win," he said. "Even if he does not win this time, Japan's thinking will be reflected inside FIFA by the next World Cup."
He closed by saying Tashima puts players first. "I just want him to keep going," he said.