Kochi United SC Coach Exposes Manager Yutaka Akita’s Power Harassment

The unimaginable acts of power harassment described in the internal documents

A legendary defender, who repeatedly saved Japan from crisis with his fiery play, is now facing a desperate situation.

On June 29, J3 club Kochi United SC revealed that players and staff had filed allegations of power harassment against manager Yutaka Akita (54). The club announced that a third-party committee would be set up and that Akita would step down temporarily until a conclusion is reached.

“In 1993, Akita joined Kashima Antlers, and by 1995 he became a regular member of the Japan national team, appearing in two World Cups. As a center-back, he was tasked with marking the star forwards of top teams such as Argentina and Croatia. After retiring, he managed four different clubs, including FC Machida Zelvia. Once he went on leave, players in the club began a petition seeking his dismissal. Reports say that about 80% of the players signed it,” said a soccer writer.

Although the club did not disclose the details of the harassment allegations against Akita, this magazine obtained a document titled “Overview of Power Harassment Case” submitted by Kochi United players to the J.League Players’ Association. What was written there described acts of harassment beyond imagination.

Based on the document, further interviews were conducted, and several players and staff finally spoke out.

“At a staff meeting in April this year, the manager said to me, ‘You’ve got ADHD, don’t you? Go to a hospital!’”

So revealed Mr. A, a coach at Kochi United SC. He explained that many of Akita’s instructions were authoritarian and issued in a commanding tone.

“During away trips, we were forced to carry his luggage, and every time he would order, ‘Bring it to my room.’ Some say the players just lacked tolerance for this kind of behavior, but before even talking about soccer instruction, we’ve lost trust in Akita’s humanity.”

The August 8/15 issue of FRIDAY (on sale July 25) and the paid edition FRIDAY GOLD provide detailed reports on other instances of Akita’s power-harassing remarks revealed by players and staff, as well as the club’s response that added to the players’ distress.

For full details and multiple photos, click here ↓

From the August 8-15, 2025, issue of “FRIDAY”