Growing up in blue and red since elementary school. The center-back, who is expected to be the future of the club, has been promoted from FC Tokyo U-18 to the top team. In the 2024 season, although still belonging to U-18, he is registered as a second player and made his top team debut in the Emperor's Cup in June. He felt a strong sense of responsibility to fight in the blue and red uniform at Ajinomoto Stadium. Shuto NAGANO expressed his desire to compete for a starting position from his first year in the top team. We spoke with the young defender about his journey to promotion and his current feelings as he aims to challenge from Asia to the world wearing the national flag.
──Congratulations on your promotion to the top team. First, please tell us how you felt when you heard the good news.
Thank you very much. Honestly, I was very happy. I have thought that moving up to the top team in a club like Tokyo is not easy. I have really worked hard towards becoming a professional, which has been my dream, so I was truly happy.
I have been going to Kodaira since I was in elementary school.
Since the 5th grade of elementary school, I have been practicing as a member of the FC Tokyo Soccer School Advanced Class in the Kodaira course. I am truly happy to have been able to turn professional in this club after being nurtured in the academy for such a long time.
──I was in the same Advanced Class as Ryunosuke SATO back then.
That's right. The U-15 team was divided into Musashi and Fukagawa, but I really feel that it's deeply moving to be able to play soccer in the professional world with players I've practiced with since elementary school.
──Including your self-introduction, what kind of player do you think you are?
I think my characteristic is going aggressively to win the ball in one-on-one situations, and I believe that is a weapon that I won't lose to others.
──When I heard from the staff involved during his academy days, they mentioned that he had said he "liked defense" since elementary school. Such players are quite rare, so those who coached him at the time were impressed.
While it's common to focus on players who are good at attacking, I found it enjoyable to take the ball away from skilled players. I played by figuring out how I could steal the ball myself. The moment I actually managed to take the ball away after thinking it through was the most enjoyable moment for me.
──I heard that you also attended the Japan School of Boca Juniors (Argentina).
I attended Boca's school from around the 3rd grade until I graduated from elementary school. There, I learned various aspects of the intense Argentine style of play and defense, and I feel that the skills I acquired there are still beneficial to me today.
──At that time, I also heard stories that people actually went to Argentina.
When I moved up from 5th to 6th grade, I had the opportunity to go to Argentina through Boca's project and play soccer with Boca players of the same age and players from other Argentine teams. Experiencing the intensity of South American play and the soccer environment at the elementary school level was truly a great experience. I was also able to watch a match at the stadium of Boca's top team and felt the passion for soccer. I still vividly remember the scene where all the fans, supporters, and players came together and got excited.
──Did you experience "La Bombonera (the home stadium of Boca Juniors)"?
It was truly amazing. I still remember it vividly. Fans and supporters were climbing over the fence, and smoke from flares was billowing. Boca scored about three goals, and honestly, the stadium was shaking. The roar was incredible, and regardless of where you were sitting, everyone was genuinely happy and enthusiastic. It gave me goosebumps all over.
──That original experience is... amazing.
This was a project where we went as a team from Boca's Japan School, considering the environment and safety aspects. Since the players we usually train with were also there, our parents encouraged us by saying, 'You should give it a try.' I believe my love for intense play has been influenced by the valuable experiences I had in Argentina. At the Japan School, I received direct coaching from local coaches, which included unique coaching methods that differ from Japanese coaches, as well as passionate communication directed at the players themselves, making it somewhat different from other experiences. It was a special experience. My mindset towards competition was partly taught during practice, and even now, I always think about my awareness of competition and the determination not to lose while playing.
──What was the time like during the 6 years of middle and high school wearing blue and red?
I feel that I have grown a lot over the past six years. I don't think I was an outstanding player when I was in elementary school, and at FC Tokyo U-15 Fukagawa, I was completely outmatched by the skilled players around me. Since my elementary school team wasn't very strong, joining Fukagawa was the first time I understood the level of competition, and I believe I was able to improve by competing and honing my skills alongside those talented players.
──Do you have any memories from your three years in junior high school?
I believe that in Fukagawa, I was trained as a person in aspects other than just playing, such as the importance of meals. In soccer, during my third year, I became conscious of bringing the team together, but until then, I wasn't very good at speaking up. I think that is an area where I was pointed out by Coach Masato OTA and was able to grow.
──Please tell us if there is anything that has left an impression since FC Tokyo U-18's promotion.
Since entering high school, I believe that more than I expected has happened one after another. I was able to play in a match right after moving up to U-18, and I was called up to the national team for the first time. In terms of encounters, I have learned a lot from Takashi Okuhara, and I think the experience of being able to practice every day with professionals like Kanta DOI, Kota TAWARATSUMIDA, Naoki KUMATA (currently on a developmental loan to Iwaki FC), and Renta HIGASHI (on a developmental loan to Giravanz Kitakyushu starting from the 2025 season) has greatly contributed to my personal growth.
──When I was a first-year high school student, I was playing with a very strong-willed third-year student.
That's right. At first, I was a bit intimidated (laughs). However, as I practiced together and got to play in matches, I think I was recognized by those around me. Also, the fact that the third-year students kindly reached out to me helped me blend in well.
Are there players you aim for in the top team?
Dohi has always played together with me, and since our positions are close, he is a senior I truly respect. When I was a first-year high school student, I always watched him play and learned a lot. He can be a bit absent-minded off the pitch (laughs). He is very kind and easy to talk to, so I am really grateful to him.
──At FC Tokyo U-18, while we were making steady progress, I experienced a significant injury last year. Given that I was someone who could have easily been promoted alongside player Sato last summer, I must have been carrying some regret.
Honestly, during my second year of high school, I continuously dealt with injuries, and I felt that I was a bit behind players like Sato and others my age, so I had a lot of frustration. However, I believe that there were also things I gained because of the injuries. I was able to focus on building my body during the rehabilitation period, so in that sense, I think it was a meaningful time.
──Next season, battles await from the AFC U-20 Asian Cup to the FIFA U-20 World Cup. Beyond that, there is also the Los Angeles Olympics. As one who experienced disappointment at last year's FIFA U-17 World Cup after returning from injury, I believe there is a desire to seek revenge on the world.
1A year ago, I experienced the most frustrating moment of my life, and I truly want to return to this stage. Next season, that opportunity will come again, but first, I need to make an impression in the professional world; it won't be easy to reach that point. Therefore, I want to focus on how much I can appeal within the team. As we move into the Olympic generation, it will become a place where only players who excel in the top level of the J1 League or overseas leagues will be selected. For me, it depends on how early I can play as a central player in Tokyo. I want to approach it with the mindset of competing for a starting position from my first year.
──The factor that helped me recover from what can be said to be the most frustrating experience of my life.
Honestly, the presence of my teammates was significant. I was feeling down for a while, but I think I was really saved by them jokingly encouraging me and interacting with me in a bright atmosphere despite my low spirits.
──In the final year of the academy, this season has been a life of moving between the top team and U-18. What have you gained from that experience?
Participating in practice with the top team was indeed a special experience. It was a completely different environment from the U-18 team, and there were many high-level players. Even from just one practice session, I gained a lot. That time was precious and truly became a wonderful experience for me.
──In the 2nd Round of the Emperor's Cup held in June, I made my top debut in the match against V-Varen Nagasaki. How did you feel the moment you stepped onto the pitch?
I was really nervous. When I played in the match, I felt that "this is the world of professionals," but at the same time, I also felt that "I want to play more on this pitch," so I thought I had to work even harder.
──It was my top team debut at Ajinomoto Stadium. The view from the stands and the view from the pitch were completely different.
As a member of the professional team, I realized once again that standing on the pitch at Ajinomoto Stadium comes with responsibilities, supported by the fans and supporters. When I was cheering from the stands, I felt a strong desire for the team to win, so wearing the blue and red uniform means I must always fight with all my might, and I deeply felt the responsibility of standing on the pitch.
──Starting next season, I will have to compete for positions with Masato MORISHIGE and players like Dohi, who is also a senior from the academy. What are your thoughts on that competition?
1Just because it's my first year doesn't mean I can passively follow someone else; I believe that if I spend my time like that, I will end up wasting a year. I want to show proactivity regardless of the age difference with my seniors, and I want to play actively from before the season starts so that I can be recognized by the coach, staff, and my teammates. However, I understand that even if I perform well in practice, there may be times when I can't play in the matches or things don't go as I wish, which is part of the professional world. Honestly, I do feel anxious, but I am very excited about how much I can achieve in that environment and how I can turn the situation around when I can't play.
Four players from the same graduating class, including Sato, have been promoted to the top team. In the future, there will likely be players who meet again as professionals after going through university. What kind of presence do those teammates have?
I believe that I wouldn't be who I am today without the members I've played with so far. We have motivated each other while honing our skills together in Tokyo. I want to play soccer together again, and I hope we can reunite in this professional world someday.
──Finally, please give a message to the fans and supporters.
I want to demonstrate my strengths in ball contests and build-up play so that I can be recognized by the fans and supporters. To be able to play as a core member of this team, effort is essential. I will do my best to compete firmly in the professional world from now on. Thank you for your support.
♢Shuto NAGANO Profile
Date of Birth: April 15, 2006
Height/Weight: 182cm/77kg
Hometown: Nerima, Tokyo
Career: FC Tokyo U-15 Fukagawa → FC Tokyo U-18
Representative history: U-16 Japan national team, U-17 Japan national team, U-18 Japan national team
Text by Kohei Baba (Freelance Writer)
