Q: What led to your decision to transfer?
I felt a great attraction to Tokyo. I thought I could grow again by coming here, and I decided to take on the challenge.
Q: What was your impression of Tokyo from the outside?
A, the counter-attack is very strong, and we played in the opening match, but the defense can also work hard, and I think it is a team with very high individual abilities.
Q, I think the part where I grew up in Kawasaki was very significant.
It was a year and a half, and I was able to grow a lot; it was not just a year and a half in terms of depth. It was not an exaggeration to say that it was deeper than what I learned in my soccer life, and it was a time that changed my life.
Q: Conversely, has the learning you gained made you more eager to apply it in matches?
I had a strong sense of my own growth, but for a long time, I was unable to seize the opportunities that came my way. However, I received a wonderful opportunity from Tokyo, which made me strongly desire to take on the challenge, leading to my decision to transfer.
Q: I think you are a player who can handle various positions, but where do you want to compete?
I want to compete as an anchor or inside half.
Q: In the competition for positions, there are players like Aoki and Higashi as anchors. What points can you emphasize to stand out compared to them?
I think it's important not to lose in one-on-one situations, to take the initiative in midfield, and to utilize my size and strength. However, I haven't been able to score goals or achieve visible results in matches so far, so I want to be able to do that in Tokyo.
Q: What would you like to be called by fans and supporters?
A, please use 'Kouki'.
Q: You chose the number 35. Is there a reason for that?
I have a family LINE group, and when I asked what number would be good, my sister said that 35 would be good because it means 'the best'.
Q: You mentioned that moving the ball is your strength. Does that mean you are confident in your ball control?
A, earlier I mentioned that this past year and a half has been more intense than most of my soccer life, and I have really been in touch with the ball and have been working hard. There are still areas I can delve deeper into, but I am confident.
Q: Was there anything you felt you needed to learn after joining the training in Tokyo?
A, regarding positioning, all teams are particular about this aspect, and the coach mentioned that it is very important to consider where to stand based on the opponent, so I was always thinking about that while playing in today's practice. I believe there are aspects that the coach expects, so I hope to listen carefully and adjust accordingly.
Q: What is the atmosphere like in Tokyo?
A, it's very homey and easy to blend in. Even for just one practice today, if there was good play from the whole team, everyone was excited, and I thought the sense of unity in the team was really great.
Q: Please tell us your enthusiasm for Tokyo again.
The reason I decided to come to Tokyo is to effectively combine my strengths and the growth I've achieved so far, so I want to take on that challenge seriously.
