Yota Akimoto

1.1. Birth and Childhood

Yota Akimoto was born on July 11, 1987, in Machida, Tokyo, Japan. Standing at 72 in ^{(183 cm)} and weighing 185 lb ^{(84 kg)}, his childhood was marked by an early passion for football, which led him to join local youth clubs.

1.2. Youth Club Activities

Akimoto began his organized football career at the CYD Football Club while attending Machida Shiritsu Minamiōya Elementary School. From 2000 to 2002, he was part of the Yokohama F. Marinos Junior Youth Sugita team, during his time at Machida Shiritsu Minamiōya Junior High School. Notably, Akimoto was the first and last player to be promoted to the top team from the Yokohama F. Marinos Junior Youth Sugita, as the branch, which had roots in the Yokohama Flügels junior youth system, was dissolved after 2002. From 2003 to 2005, he progressed to the Yokohama F. Marinos Youth team while attending Nozuta High School. During his time with the youth team, Akimoto achieved significant success, including winning the 2005 Prince League Kanto and finishing as runner-up in the Japan Club Youth Football Championship (U-18).

2.1. Yokohama F. Marinos (2006-2011)

Akimoto was promoted to the Yokohama F. Marinos top team in 2006 after a successful youth career. However, his early professional journey was marred by a severe injury in October 2006 when he ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and medial collateral ligament (MCL) during a J. League Satellite League match against Ventforet Kofu. This injury led to a long recovery period and caused him to miss out on selection for the 2007 FIFA U-20 World Cup. He made his J.League debut on July 13, 2008, in a J1 League match against Albirex Niigata, replacing Tetsuya Enomoto. Despite this opportunity, he was unable to secure a consistent starting position, being overshadowed by established goalkeepers like Enomoto and Hiroki Iikura. Over six years with Yokohama F. Marinos, Akimoto made only 7 official appearances, signaling a challenging start to his professional career.

2.2. Ehime FC (2012-2013)

In 2012, Akimoto made a complete transfer to Ehime FC in the J2 League. This move provided him with the opportunity to establish himself as a regular starter. He quickly became the primary goalkeeper, surpassing competitors like Yusuke Kawakita and Tatsuro Hagihara. Akimoto was lauded for his agility, precise judgment, and high kicking accuracy, which became key assets for the team. Despite Ehime FC's struggles, Akimoto's fierce and passionate play stood out, showing significant fighting spirit even in challenging periods.

2.3. Shonan Bellmare (2014-2015)

In 2014, after receiving offers for two consecutive years, Akimoto completed a transfer to Shonan Bellmare. He played a crucial role in the team's exceptional performance that year, which saw them clinch the J2 League title and secure promotion to the J1 League. Akimoto's solid goalkeeping contributed to an impressive 23 clean sheets in 42 league matches, underpinning Shonan's strong defensive record. In 2015, he wore the number 1 jersey for the first time in his professional career as the team faced the challenge of J1. Although he initially struggled to adapt to the higher division, he gradually found his stability. His passionate saves prevented many opposition scoring opportunities, earning crucial points and making him instrumental in Shonan Bellmare's achievement of their first-ever J1 League survival since the club's rebranding.

2.4. FC Tokyo (2016)

In 2016, Akimoto transferred to FC Tokyo to fill the void left by Shuichi Gonda, who had departed the club. Despite being highly sought after by multiple clubs, including an offer for a contract extension from Shonan, Akimoto chose FC Tokyo. Early in the season, he faced difficulties, experiencing a negative cycle of uncertain play that led to conceding numerous goals. While he showed improved stability towards the end of the season, his overall save rate for the year remained among the lower ranks in the league. At the end of the 2016 season, he received the J.League Fair Play Individual Award. However, after just one year with FC Tokyo, he received an offer to return to his former club, Shonan Bellmare, who had been relegated to J2 and were looking to strengthen their goalkeeper position. Akimoto accepted the offer and departed FC Tokyo.

2.5. Return to Shonan Bellmare (2017-2021)

Akimoto returned to Shonan Bellmare in 2017 and immediately re-established himself as the starting goalkeeper from the opening match of the season. He played a significant role in Shonan's J2 League championship victory and their swift return to J1 after just one year. During the 2017 season, he famously fractured his right pinky finger during a match against Tokyo Verdy in the 7th round. He kept the injury private, taping his pinky and ring fingers together and having his goalkeeper glove re-stitched to accommodate the four-finger configuration, continuing to play through the injury. In 2018, Akimoto was a key contributor to Shonan Bellmare's historic J.League Cup victory, the club's first major title. He continued as the team's guardian in 2019, but due to a string of team losses in the latter half of the season, he eventually conceded his position to Daiki Tomii.

2.6. Loan Spells (2020-2021)

In 2020, Akimoto joined FC Machida Zelvia on a loan. He started the season as the first-choice goalkeeper and established himself as a regular. However, midway through the season, he lost his starting spot to a younger goalkeeper, Mitsuki Fukui, and was relegated to the bench.

In 2021, Akimoto was loaned to Ehime FC, marking his second stint with the club. He reclaimed the starting position from Masahiro Okamoto, who had been the regular goalkeeper the previous season, and maintained his role. However, after the J2 League 21st round match against Blaublitz Akita on July 4, he was removed from the squad. It was later announced on September 14 that he had been sidelined due to a left knee osteochondral injury. He concluded the 2021 season with 20 appearances before his injury.

6.1. Club Honors

• Yokohama F. Marinos Youth**
  • Prince League Kanto: 2005
• Shonan Bellmare**
  • J.League Cup: 2018
  • J2 League: 2014, 2017

6.2. Youth International Honors

• U-16 Japan National Team**
  • Toyota International Youth Soccer Tournament: 2003
• U-18 Japan National Team**
  • International Youth Soccer in Niigata: 2005
• U-19 Japan National Team**
  • Qatar International Youth Tournament: 2006

6.3. Individual Awards

• J.League Fair Play Individual Award: 2016, 2018
• J2 League Monthly MVP: June 2017