Kawashima Eiji Former Japan GK and Jubilo Iwata Legend Talks About Overcoming Adversity in J2

“I always want to play in every match, whether it’s in the league or cup. This has never changed for me.”

Eiji Kawashima (42), the goalkeeper who was selected for the World Cup for four consecutive tournaments until 2022, is now facing challenging days in J2.

After making his return to Japan last season, he played 32 matches for J1’s Jubilo Iwata, where he was the starting goalkeeper. However, the team faced relegation to J2 after just one year. This season, as captain, he has committed to winning J2 and returning to J1 in one year, with strong determination.

However, just after losing consecutive games to V-Varen Nagasaki and Kataller Toyama in March, he was called in by the new Australian manager, John Hutchinson (45), and informed that he would no longer be starting. Kawashima, fluent in English, reportedly expressed his thoughts directly to the coach without the need for an interpreter.

“I’m not satisfied, but the decision is up to the manager. I can only keep working hard to be the kind of player the manager always wants to use as a starter. If I’m in good form, I believe the chance will come.”

Throughout his 24-year professional career since 2001, Kawashima has faced adversity many times. During his time playing in Europe, there were periods when he couldn’t get game time, and in 2015 and 2023, he also experienced blank periods where he couldn’t stay with a team for long. Still, Kawashima has consistently moved forward without wavering. He’s a man worthy of the title “Mental Monster.”

“Every time adversity comes, I think of it as an opportunity for my growth. At the time, you may not understand the meaning of an event, but two or three years later, you realize ‘Ah, this is where it becomes useful.’ If you face each situation sincerely, you will definitely grow both as a player and as a person.”

Having overcome adversity countless times, Kawashima will likely view the relegation to J2 as yet another opportunity for growth.

In the April 11th release of FRIDAY (April 25 and May 2 combined issue) and the paid version FRIDAY GOLD, Kawashima shares in detail how he overcame the many challenges he faced while playing abroad. He also reveals his thoughts on his junior teammates who have secured spots in the 2026 North and Central American World Cup.

For more details and multiple photos, click here↓.

From the April 25/May 2, 2025 issue of “FRIDAY”