1. Overview
Junya Tanaka is a Japanese former professional footballer who played as a forward or midfielder. Born in Itabashi, Tokyo, Tanaka began his football journey at a young age, progressing through youth academies before making his professional debut as a specially designated player for Kashiwa Reysol in 2009. He became a key figure for Kashiwa Reysol, notably contributing to their historic J1 League title in their first season back in the top flight. His impressive performances led to a move to Portuguese club Sporting CP in 2014, where he spent two seasons. He later returned to Japan, playing for Vissel Kobe and contributing to their Emperor's Cup victory, the club's first major trophy. Tanaka concluded his playing career with FC Gifu in 2023 and has since transitioned into a role as a club ambassador and academy coach for the same club. He also made four appearances for the Japan national football team.
2. Personal Information and Youth Career
Junya Tanaka's early life and formative years in football laid the groundwork for his professional career, characterized by his dedication and development through various youth and university programs.
2.1. Birth and Growth Background
Junya Tanaka was born on July 15, 1987, in Itabashi, Tokyo, Japan. Standing at 71 in (181 cm) and weighing 165 lb (75 kg), Tanaka is known for his handsome appearance, often referred to as イケメンIkemenJapanese by the Japanese media. His personal life includes his marriage to fashion model Manami Ui on December 21, 2013, which was Ui's 27th birthday. Despite Ui being one year older than Tanaka, they affectionately address each other as "Uiさん-sanJapanese" and "Tanaka." The couple welcomed their first child, a daughter, on July 16, 2014. Beyond football, Tanaka possesses a unique talent for calligraphy, a skill he honed during his middle school years. His calligraphic prowess was even featured in Kashiwa Reysol's 2013 matchday program in a serialized corner titled "One Top, Two Calligraphy by Calligraphy Master Junya Tanaka of Itabashi." In October 2015, Tanaka signed a management contract with LesPros Entertainment, the same talent agency representing his wife, Manami Ui.
2.2. Youth Career and Education
Tanaka began playing football seriously at the age of six, during his first year of elementary school. He attended Takashimadaira SC while also participating in the Mitsubishi Yowa SC school. After graduating from elementary school, he advanced to the Mitsubishi Yowa Sugamo SC Junior Youth team, where he played during his time at Itabashi Ward Takashima Dai San Junior High School. His powerful dribbling and strong left-footed shots earned him the nickname "Adriano of Mitsubishi Yowa," a comparison to the Brazilian footballer Adriano Leite Ribeiro.
During his third year of high school in 2005, Tanaka served as the ace striker for Mitsubishi Yowa SC Youth, wearing the number "10" jersey. He participated in the 29th Japan Club Youth Football Championship (U-18) but did not achieve significant results, with his team being eliminated in the group stage. This tournament featured several future Japan national team members, including Shinji Kagawa, Maya Yoshida, Ryoichi Kurihara, and Tomoaki Makino. Despite his efforts, Tanaka did not receive any offers from J.League clubs or prominent football universities. He subsequently enrolled in Juntendo University through a general recommendation.
While at Juntendo University, Tanaka remained a relatively unknown player. However, he caught the eye of a scout from Kashiwa Reysol who frequently visited the university's training grounds to observe Yusuke Murakami, a player two years Tanaka's senior. In July 2009, during his fourth year of university, Tanaka was registered as a specially designated player for Kashiwa Reysol, utilizing his summer vacation. Although initially planned for a one-month period, his registration was extended until the end of the season at the strong request of Nelsinho Baptista, who had recently been appointed as the team's manager. During this period, Tanaka made nine appearances in the league.
3. Professional Career
Junya Tanaka's professional career spanned over a decade, marked by his contributions to several clubs in Japan and Portugal, as well as his appearances for the Japan national team.
3.1. Club Career
Tanaka's club career saw him play for prominent teams in both Japan and Portugal, achieving significant milestones and contributing to various title successes.
3.1.1. Kashiwa Reysol
Junya Tanaka officially joined Kashiwa Reysol in 2010 after his stint as a specially designated player. In his first full professional season, he was primarily utilized as a super-substitute, making 24 appearances and scoring 6 goals. The following year, in 2011, Kashiwa Reysol was promoted to the J1 League. Tanaka established himself as a regular starter, playing in 30 league matches and scoring 13 goals, which was instrumental in the team's historic achievement of winning the J1 League title in their first season back in the top flight. His strong performance continued into the 2011 FIFA Club World Cup, where he played in all four of Kashiwa Reysol's matches. He scored a notable goal against Auckland City FC, earning praise from FIFA President Sepp Blatter, who was in attendance.
In 2012, Tanaka's league goal tally reduced to 5. However, he rebounded in 2013, scoring 11 league goals and achieving double-digit assists, as reported by Nikkan Sports. During matches where Kashiwa Reysol adopted a fluid formation that shifted from 4-2-3-1 in attack to 4-1-4-1 in defense, Tanaka played a crucial role as a key player. He would push forward in attack and drop back to a defensive midfield position during defensive phases, demonstrating his tactical intelligence and versatility. He maintained his good form into the 2014 season, recording a team-high 5 goals before the league's interruption for the Brazil World Cup.
3.1.2. Sporting CP
In June 2014, Junya Tanaka made a significant move to Europe, signing a five-year contract with Portuguese Primeira Liga club Sporting CP. The transfer fee was reported to be 200.00 K EUR. What drew considerable attention from European media, including the Italian newspaper La Gazzetta dello Sport, was his remarkably high release clause, set at 60.00 M EUR. This led to headlines questioning "Sporting Lisbon, who is Tanaka?"
Tanaka made his Primeira Liga debut on August 23, 2014, in a match against FC Arouca. His first goal for Sporting CP came on November 21 in the Taça de Portugal fourth round against SC Espinho. On January 11, 2015, in the 16th matchday of the Primeira Liga against S.C. Braga, he scored his first league goal with a dramatic direct free kick in injury time, securing a victory for his team. Despite often being used as a substitute, Tanaka consistently found the back of the net, accumulating a total of 7 goals across all competitions during his debut season. However, in the 2015-16 season, with the arrival of new manager Jorge Jesus replacing Marco Silva, Tanaka found himself outside the manager's plans. His playing time significantly decreased, and despite receiving multiple transfer offers from both domestic and international clubs, he remained with Sporting CP as the terms for a transfer could not be agreed upon.
3.1.3. Vissel Kobe
On December 29, 2016, Sporting CP announced Junya Tanaka's permanent transfer to Vissel Kobe, marking his return to Japan. This move reunited him with his former Kashiwa Reysol manager, Nelsinho Baptista. On April 26, 2017, Tanaka scored his first goal for Vissel Kobe in a Levain Cup match against Sanfrecce Hiroshima, contributing to a 4-1 victory.
In 2018, Tanaka scored his first goal of the J1 League season in the second match against Shimizu S-Pulse. However, he struggled to increase his goal count thereafter. Following a mid-season change in management from Takayuki Yoshida to Juan Manuel Lillo, Tanaka's playing time became severely limited, with him appearing for only four minutes in total under the new coach.
The 2019 season presented a challenge for Tanaka due to the presence of formidable forwards like Kyogo Furuhashi, Lukas Podolski, and the newly arrived David Villa. Despite limited opportunities at the start of the season, he made a significant impact in the fifth match against Gamba Osaka, coming on as a substitute and scoring two goals within 16 minutes, helping the team secure a comeback victory. As the season progressed, injuries to Podolski and Villa led to increased playing time for Tanaka. He capitalized on these opportunities, scoring 6 league goals, his highest tally during his tenure at Kobe. He also played in every match of the 2019 Emperor's Cup, contributing to Vissel Kobe's historic first major title. On December 27, 2021, Vissel Kobe announced that Tanaka's contract had expired, leading to his departure from the club.
3.1.4. FC Gifu
On December 31, 2021, Junya Tanaka officially joined FC Gifu on a permanent transfer. He played for the club in the J3 League for two seasons. On November 8, 2023, Tanaka announced his retirement from professional football following the conclusion of the 2023 season.
3.2. National Team Career
Junya Tanaka's involvement with the Japan national football team began in 2011 when he received his first call-up in September for the 2014 FIFA World Cup Asian Third Round qualifiers. Although he was part of the squad, he did not make an appearance in any of the matches.
His international A-match debut came on February 24, 2012, in the Kirin Challenge Cup 2012 against Iceland at Nagai Athletics Stadium in Osaka, where Japan secured a 3-1 victory. After this initial appearance, Tanaka was absent from the national team for approximately two and a half years.
He was recalled to the national team by new manager Javier Aguirre for the Kirin Challenge Cup 2014. Under Aguirre's 4-3-3 system, Tanaka was deployed in a new role as a left inside half. He featured in matches against Uruguay and Venezuela in September 2014, and later against Brazil in an international friendly in October of the same year. Throughout his career, Junya Tanaka earned a total of 4 international A-match caps, but did not score any goals for the national team.
4. Playing Style
Junya Tanaka is characterized as a versatile striker possessing a formidable combination of physical strength and refined ball control. His playing style is marked by powerful left-footed shots, often unleashed with great force when an opening appears. This characteristic has frequently drawn comparisons to former Japanese international forward Tatsuhiko Kubo, known for his similar explosive shooting ability.
Beyond his attacking prowess, Tanaka is highly valued for his exceptional work rate and tactical intelligence, qualities that often led to him being deployed in midfield positions. He demonstrated a strong ability to execute tactical instructions faithfully, adapting to various formations and roles as required by his coaches. His proficiency extends to set pieces, where he leverages the power and accuracy of his left foot to deliver dangerous free kicks and corners.
5. Honours and Achievements
Junya Tanaka's career was marked by several significant club titles and individual contributions.
Kashiwa Reysol
- J2 League: 2010
- J1 League: 2011
- Japanese Super Cup: 2012
- Emperor's Cup: 2012
- J.League Cup: 2013
Sporting CP
- Taça de Portugal: 2014-15
- Supertaça Cândido de Oliveira: 2015
Vissel Kobe
- Emperor's Cup: 2019
- Japanese Super Cup: 2020
6. Post-Retirement Activities
Following his retirement from professional football at the end of the 2023 season, Junya Tanaka has transitioned into new roles within the football community, primarily with his former club, FC Gifu. On January 21, 2024, he was appointed as a Club Ambassador for FC Gifu. In addition to this ambassadorial role, Tanaka also actively serves as an Academy Coach for the club, contributing to the development of young talent. Looking ahead, it has been announced that he will assume the position of Academy Director for FC Gifu starting in February 2025, further solidifying his commitment to youth football development.
7. Statistics
The following tables provide comprehensive statistical data for Junya Tanaka's club and national team career, detailing his appearances and goals across various competitions.
7.1. Club
Updated to 19 December 2020.
| Club | Season | League | Cup1 | League Cup2 | Continental3 | Other4 | Total | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Kashiwa Reysol | |||||||||||||
| 2009 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | 0 | 0 | 9 | 0 | ||
| 2010 | 24 | 6 | 3 | 1 | - | - | 0 | 0 | 27 | 7 | |||
| 2011 | 30 | 13 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 0 | - | 4 | 1 | 39 | 16 | ||
| 2012 | 31 | 5 | 6 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 6 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 47 | 11 | |
| 2013 | 32 | 11 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 3 | 9 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 46 | 16 | |
| 2014 | 12 | 5 | - | 6 | 3 | - | - | 18 | 8 | ||||
| 2016 | 21 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 1 | - | - | 23 | 4 | |||
| Total | 159 | 44 | 13 | 5 | 19 | 7 | 15 | 6 | 6 | 1 | 209 | 62 | |
| Sporting CP | |||||||||||||
| 2014-15 | 17 | 5 | 4 | 1 | 5 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 28 | 7 | |
| 2015-16 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 0 | |
| Total | 20 | 5 | 4 | 1 | 7 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 34 | 7 | |
| Vissel Kobe | |||||||||||||
| 2017 | 24 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 7 | 4 | - | - | 32 | 5 | |||
| 2018 | 20 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | - | - | 24 | 2 | |||
| 2019 | 23 | 6 | 6 | 4 | 6 | 1 | - | - | 35 | 11 | |||
| 2020 | 19 | 2 | - | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 24 | 2 | ||
| 2021 | 7 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | - | - | 10 | 5 | |||
| Total | 93 | 13 | 10 | 5 | 17 | 7 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 125 | 25 | |
| FC Gifu | |||||||||||||
| 2022 | 24 | 3 | - | 1 | 0 | - | - | 25 | 3 | ||||
| 2023 | 24 | 3 | - | 1 | 0 | - | - | 25 | 3 | ||||
| Total | 48 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 50 | 6 | |
| Career total | 320 | 68 | 27 | 11 | 45 | 15 | 22 | 6 | 7 | 1 | 421 | 101 | |
1 Includes Emperor's Cup and Taça de Portugal.
2 Includes J. League Cup and Taça da Liga.
3 Includes AFC Champions League and UEFA Champions League.
4 Includes FIFA Club World Cup and Japanese Super Cup.
7.2. International
| Japan national team | ||
|---|---|---|
| Year | Apps | Goals |
| 2012 | 1 | 0 |
| 2013 | 0 | 0 |
| 2014 | 3 | 0 |
| Total | 4 | 0 |
International A-Match Appearances
| No. | Date | City | Stadium | Opponent | Result | Manager | Competition |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | February 24, 2012 | Osaka | Osaka Nagai Stadium | Iceland | 3-1 (W) | Alberto Zaccheroni | Kirin Challenge Cup 2012 |
| 2. | September 5, 2014 | Sapporo | Sapporo Dome | Uruguay | 0-2 (L) | Javier Aguirre | Kirin Challenge Cup 2014 |
| 3. | September 9, 2014 | Yokohama | International Stadium Yokohama | Venezuela | 3-0 (W) | Javier Aguirre | Kirin Challenge Cup 2014 |
| 4. | October 14, 2014 | Kallang | Singapore National Stadium | Brazil | 0-4 (L) | Javier Aguirre | International Friendly |