TOKYOism

Q: Please tell us your honest thoughts on becoming a professional soccer player.
A, I have been attending a school in Tokyo since elementary school, and Tokyo has always been close to me. I have worked hard with the desire to become a professional and succeed in this club, so I am genuinely happy. When I received the offer, I strongly thought, 'I want to work hard here.'

Q: You wanted to become a J-League player, not just any J-League player, but one in Tokyo, right?
A, of course. When I met with the coach of Meiji University, I was asked, "Which club is good?" and I told them, "Tokyo is the only choice." I was only thinking about joining this club and making an impact.

Q: What were your thoughts when you received an offer from Tokyo?
A, there were both feelings of joy and a sense of urgency that I had to carry with me.

Q: What was your time like during the four years at Meiji University after not being able to be promoted to the top team from FC Tokyo U-18?
A, it was a period where I could live a life dedicated to soccer 24 hours a day, including aspects like personality and mindset. I believe that was significant for who I am today. It was four years during which I could grow both physically and mentally.

Q: Please tell us about the presence of your academy peers, Seiji KIMURA and Kashif BANGNAGANDE.
A, I have been with Yoshifumi since elementary school in the 6th grade, and I have been with Kimura since FC Tokyo U-15 Fukagawa, and we have grown together as teammates. I wanted to play on the pitch at Ajinomoto Stadium with such players. They are both my teammates and rivals. They are a source of good motivation.

Q: Do you remember how you felt when the two of them were promoted from FC Tokyo U-18 to the top team?
A, I thought the two of them would be promoted, but when it actually happened, I felt a sense of regret. I vividly remember crying after talking to my parents following the meeting that determined whether I could be promoted. Takashi OKUHARA (then the FC Tokyo U-18 coach and Academy Director) sent me off to Meiji University as my next step, so I resolved to train hard during my four years in college with that regret in my heart, determined to return to Tokyo no matter what.

Q: Were you able to honestly see the performance and play of the two?
AI was studying by watching and thinking about how I would have done it, and I practiced with the motivation to work hard, inspired by the two players selected for the U-22 Japan national team, with the feeling that I would also break into that level.

Q: Was there a particular awareness of player Kimura since you play the same position?
A, I'm really aware of it (laughs). I was always watching. However, I was more focused on my own growth and getting evaluated rather than surpassing Kimura. While honing what I have that Kimura doesn't, I was working to close the gap and surpass him during my time at university, as he has the advantage in physical aspects.

Q: Since the announcement of your appointment to Tokyo, have you received any contact from player Kimura?
A, it was a "welcome back," but I want to see more urgency (laughs). I'm here with the intention to take the position. But, you seemed happy.

Q: There is a possibility that the three who have been honing their skills on the final line will line up together.
A, I believe it is important for the club to have as many players from the academy as possible in the starting lineup for official matches, so I look forward to playing together with you on the final line.

Q: Please tell us your strong points in play.
A, I want you to watch the long feeds with both feet and the aerial battles utilizing height.

Q: University graduates are expected to be immediate assets from their first year of joining.
A, my senior from university, Yuto NAGATOMO, and players Shuto ABE (RWD Molembeek) and Hotaka NAKAMURA were involved in matches from their first year after joining, and I want to challenge myself just as fiercely. There is a great player, Masato MORISHIGE, as a center-back, but I want to play with the ambition to break into that competition and take the position.

Q, do you have an image of once again donning the blue and red uniform and standing on the pitch at Ajinomoto Stadium?
A, I have an image in my mind and I already feel nervous and excited. Because I have been going to Ajinomoto Stadium since I was young, I might not feel it at first, but I think I need to always have the image of playing at Ajinomoto Stadium in my mind. It's a world where saying I couldn't perform because I was scared during the match won't work, so I want to play with confidence from the very beginning.

Q: Please give a message to the fans and supporters.
A, it's not enough just to come back; I want to perform, fight for the team, work hard, and play in a way that makes people want to pay Teppei OKA and want to pay for this match.

Q: What are your goals for your first year as a professional?
A, participating in and performing well in the opening match of the 2024 season is a near-term goal. I will work hard with the aim of making Tokyo the J1 League champion.