1. Early life and career beginnings
Takuma Mizutani was born on April 24, 1996, in Suruga Ward, Shizuoka City, Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan. His early football development began at a young age, leading him through the structured youth system of Shimizu S-Pulse.
1.1. Youth career
Mizutani started his youth career at Johoku SSS and the S-Pulse Soccer School while attending Johoku Elementary School. He then joined Shimizu S-Pulse Junior Youth during his time at Kanzan Junior High School. By his third year of junior high, he was already making appearances in the Premier League EAST for the Shimizu S-Pulse Youth team, a testament to his advanced development.
Upon his promotion to the Shimizu S-Pulse Youth team, Mizutani quickly established himself as a key player from his first year of high school. His strong performances at the youth level garnered national attention, leading to his selection for various Japan national youth teams starting in 2011.
2. Club career
Takuma Mizutani's professional club career has seen him play for several Japanese clubs, progressing through various leagues and making significant contributions at each stop.
2.1. Shimizu S-Pulse
Mizutani officially joined the senior squad of Shimizu S-Pulse in 2014, with his full promotion announced in September of that year for the 2015 season. As a two-way registered player in 2014, he made 6 appearances in the J1 League and 3 in the Emperor's Cup, totaling 9 appearances. During this period, he notably recorded an assist in a match against Cerezo Osaka. In the 2015 season, he played in 5 J1 League matches, 1 Emperor's Cup match, and 4 J.League Cup matches, accumulating 10 appearances. However, in 2016, he did not make any J2 League appearances before being loaned out. He returned to Shimizu S-Pulse in January 2018 after his loan spell. In the 2018 season, he played 3 J1 League matches. For the 2019 season, he made 1 J1 League appearance, 2 Emperor's Cup appearances, and 6 J.League Cup appearances, totaling 9 matches.
2.2. FC Imabari (loan)
In June 2016, Takuma Mizutani moved on loan to FC Imabari, a club then managed by Hirofumi Yoshitake, his former coach from the U-17 Japan national team. During his time at FC Imabari in the Shikoku Soccer League (Regional League) in 2016, he made 4 appearances and provided an assist in the Regional Champions League against Mitsubishi Motors Mizushima FC. In the 2017 season, playing in the JFL, Mizutani made 16 appearances and scored 1 goal with a mid-range shot in injury time during a match against Nara Club. Overall, he played 20 matches and scored 1 goal during his loan spell with FC Imabari.
2.3. AC Nagano Parceiro
On December 26, 2019, Mizutani completed a permanent transfer to J3 League club AC Nagano Parceiro. He quickly became a key player for the club. In the 2020 season, he made 32 J3 League appearances and scored his first professional J.League goal in a match against Kamatamare Sanuki. The 2021 season saw him continue his strong form, with 28 J3 League appearances and 3 goals scored against Fujieda MYFC, Tegevajaro Miyazaki, and Gainare Tottori, along with 2 Emperor's Cup appearances and 1 goal, totaling 30 appearances and 4 goals. In 2022, he played in 31 J3 League matches, scoring 2 goals against SC Sagamihara and Azul Claro Numazu, and served as the team captain. Across his three seasons with AC Nagano Parceiro, Mizutani made 91 league appearances, scoring 6 goals, and a total of 93 appearances with 7 goals across all competitions.
2.4. Blaublitz Akita
On December 12, 2022, Takuma Mizutani made a permanent move to Blaublitz Akita, a club competing in the J2 League. He has become an important asset to the team, utilizing his technical footwork to create dynamic attacking opportunities, enabling both wide and central offensive plays. He scored his first goal for Blaublitz Akita in the 5th match of the season against Mito HollyHock, converting a cross. After establishing himself as a regular starter, Mizutani has also been entrusted with set-piece responsibilities. In the 2023 season, he played in 32 J2 League matches, scoring 1 goal, and made 1 J.League Cup appearance, totaling 33 appearances and 1 goal. As of the 2024 season, he has made 23 J2 League appearances and 1 J.League Cup appearance, totaling 24 appearances.
3. National team career
Takuma Mizutani has been a prominent figure in the Japanese youth national team setup, representing his country across various age groups. His international journey began in 2011 with selections to the U-15 national team, where he participated in the AFC U-16 Championship 2012 qualifiers.
He continued his progression to the U-16 national team, competing in the 2012 AFF U-16 Youth Championship, which Japan won, and the AFC U-16 Championship 2012.
In 2013, Mizutani was a key member of the U-17 national team that participated in the 2013 FIFA U-17 World Cup. Wearing the prestigious number 10 jersey, he played in all three group stage matches as a side-back, contributing significantly to the team's advancement to the Round of 16. His national team experience also extends to the U-18 and U-19 age groups.
4. Playing style and characteristics
Takuma Mizutani is recognized for his exceptional versatility and tireless work ethic on the field. His playing style is characterized by an abundant work rate, enabling him to cover significant ground and contribute effectively to both offensive and defensive phases of play. He is right-footed.
A key strength of Mizutani's game is his versatile kicking abilities, allowing him to deliver precise passes, crosses, and shots from various angles. He is considered a true utility player, capable of playing in nearly any outfield position. His adaptability means he can fill roles across the midfield and defense, with the only exceptions being goalkeeper and center-back.
At Blaublitz Akita, Mizutani utilizes his technical footwork to inject dynamism into the team's attack. He is adept at creating attacking changes, not only supporting wide plays but also initiating central attacks. Furthermore, his precise kicking skills have earned him the responsibility of being the primary set piece taker for his current club.
5. Career statistics
The following table details Takuma Mizutani's professional club statistics as of the end of the 2024 season.
| Club performance | League | Cup | League Cup | Total | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Club | League | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | |
| Japan | League | Emperor's Cup | J.League Cup | Total | |||||||
| 2014 | Shimizu | J1 League | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 9 | 0 | |
| 2015 | 5 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 10 | 0 | |||
| 2016 | J2 League | 0 | 0 | - | - | 0 | 0 | ||||
| 2016 | Imabari | Shikoku | 4 | 0 | - | 1 | 0 | 5 | 0 | ||
| 2017 | JFL | 16 | 1 | - | 1 | 0 | 17 | 1 | |||
| 2018 | Shimizu | J1 League | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | |
| 2019 | J1 League | 1 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 9 | 0 | ||
| 2020 | Nagano | J3 League | 32 | 1 | - | - | 32 | 1 | |||
| 2021 | J3 League | 28 | 3 | 2 | 1 | - | 30 | 4 | |||
| 2022 | J3 League | 31 | 2 | 0 | 0 | - | 31 | 2 | |||
| 2023 | Akita | J2 League | 32 | 1 | - | 1 | 0 | 33 | 1 | ||
| 2024 | J2 League | 23 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 24 | 0 | ||
| Total | 181 | 8 | 10 | 0 | 12 | 1 | 203 | 9 | |||
Notes:
- 2014 appearances include those made as a two-way registered player.
- J.League U-22 Selection Team appearances:
- In 2015, Mizutani played 3 matches for the J.League U-22 Selection team in the J3 League.
Career milestones:
- First J.League appearance: August 30, 2014, in the J1 League Matchday 22 against Sagan Tosu at Best Amenity Stadium.
- First J.League goal: November 15, 2020, in the Meiji Yasuda Life J3 League Matchday 27 against Kamatamare Sanuki at Pikara Stadium.
6. Honors and achievements
Takuma Mizutani has achieved several honors throughout his youth and professional career with both clubs and national teams.
6.1. Club
; Shimizu S-Pulse Junior Youth
- Japan Club Youth Soccer Championship (U-15): 2010, 2011
- Tokai Regional League (U-15): 2010, 2011
6.2. National team
; U-16 Japan national team
- AFF U-16 Youth Championship: 2012
7. Personal life and trivia
Takuma Mizutani is affectionately known by his nicknames "Takuma" and "Taku". Outside of football, he enjoys various activities and has a fondness for specific foods and beverages. His known interests include curry, meatballs, and cafes.
His height is 64 in (162 cm) and his weight is 137 lb (62 kg).