“He Never Makes the Wrong Call”—Hajime Moriyasu’s Former Coach Explains His Greatest Strength

––Why has the Japan national team become so strong?

At the 1968 Olympics in Mexico—the same country that will co-host the 2026 FIFA World Cup—Japan achieved the historic feat of winning the bronze medal in men’s football.

One of the members of that legendary front three, Ikuo Matsumoto (84), once posed the above question to Japan manager Hajime Moriyasu (57). According to Matsumoto, Moriyasu replied with just one sentence:

“The players aren’t really Japanese anymore.”

Matsumoto says those words perfectly capture where Japanese football stands today.

“Japanese people tend to sacrifice themselves for the good of the organization. That’s one of the strengths of Japanese culture, but it’s not necessarily suited to football.

In baseball, managers and coaches can constantly give instructions—whether to bunt or steal a base. Football doesn’t work that way. Once the match begins, the players have to make their own decisions in every situation.

That’s why individual ability is essential. Players have to express themselves. For a long time, Japanese players lacked that ability to express themselves.”

The lone exception, Matsumoto says, was Japan’s Olympic team in Mexico.

At a time when total devotion to the team was considered paramount, there was one striker who possessed an unmistakable individuality: Kunishige Kamamoto, whose sole focus was scoring goals.

One exchange during a match has remained vivid in Matsumoto’s memory.

“Shigeo Yaegashi is still the only Japanese footballer ever to compete in three Olympic Games. As captain and the team’s central midfielder, Yaegashi believed completely in total football. During one match he shouted at Kamamoto, ‘Gama! Get back and defend!’

Kamamoto looked at his senior—who was more than ten years older than him—and replied, ‘Senpai, all I have to do is score goals, right?’

At that time, Kamamoto was the only one on the national team who wasn’t Japanese.”

Today, however, Matsumoto believes the situation is entirely different.

“Nearly 200 Japanese players now compete in Europe. They have to establish their own style, express themselves, and earn a starting place in an environment where their salaries depend on performance. That’s where their individuality has been forged.

When those players return to the national team, they combine that individual strength with the cooperative spirit that is part of Japan’s national character. That’s what has created Moriyasu’s Japan. At last, the national team has become what footballers are supposed to be.”

Matsumoto and Moriyasu also share a long personal connection.

Both came through Toyo Kogyo (now Mazda), the company team that eventually became Sanfrecce Hiroshima, with Matsumoto serving as the senior.

In 1998, while Matsumoto was general manager of Kyoto Purple Sanga (now Kyoto Sanga), he was involved in negotiations to sign Moriyasu, who was still an active player.

Since Moriyasu became national team manager, Matsumoto says:

“We get together for dinner about twice a year and talk.”

It was during one of those dinners that Matsumoto asked the question quoted at the beginning.

How does he view Hajime Moriyasu?

“He doesn’t make poor decisions. He stays composed and makes calm judgments. He never panics and creates problems by acting hastily.

I’m sure being manager of the national team comes with tremendous pressure, but he never loses his composure. During his playing days, Moriyasu was a defensive midfielder, so he developed an instinct for anticipating danger and reading the game. I think those qualities now show in the way he manages.”

Matsumoto plans to watch this World Cup in person.

For the first time in 58 years, he will return to Mexico City and also plans to visit Estadio Azteca, where Japan secured its Olympic bronze medal.

“My personal motto is, ‘If you give everything you’ve got, you’ll have no regrets.’ Some people say that if you lose after giving your all, there’s nothing you can do. I don’t agree.

If you truly give everything you’ve got, you will win. That’s what I believe.”

The man who helped change the history of Japanese football beneath the skies of Mexico 58 years ago will now witness Moriyasu’s Japan as it attempts to make history once again.

The June 26/July 3 combined issue of “FRIDAY” (on sale June 12), along with the paid digital edition “FRIDAY GOLD,” features Matsumoto’s in-depth thoughts on Moriyasu’s management style, the one tactical decision he ever questioned, the message he personally delivered to the manager, and the key player he believes will determine Japan’s World Cup campaign.

From the June 26 & July 3, 2026, combined issue of “FRIDAY”