by Sofuca

JAPANESE PLAYERS ABROAD

Who played in which overseas league?

Follow Japanese players from one season to the next, with a league or club source beside each record. We began with familiar names and are adding others as their appearances are checked.

These are documented players, not a count of every Japanese player abroad. “Still collecting” means the list is incomplete. A missing name does not mean the player did not appear.

Seasons ending in 2027

40 documented players · 14 leagues

This season is still in progress. The overall number for this year is not yet established. A player appearing in two leagues is counted once in the year total.

Germany · Bundesliga

8 players Still collecting

Germany · 2. Bundesliga

7 players Still collecting

Belgium · Belgian Pro League

4 players Still collecting

England · EFL Championship

4 players Still collecting

England · Premier League

4 players Still collecting

France · Ligue 1

3 players Still collecting

Netherlands · Eredivisie

3 players Still collecting

Spain · LaLiga

2 players Still collecting

Belgium · Challenger Pro League (second tier)

1 player Still collecting

Denmark · Danish Superliga

1 player Still collecting

Italy · Serie A

1 player Still collecting

Portugal · Liga Portugal 2 (second tier)

1 player Still collecting

Singapore · Singapore Premier League

1 player Still collecting

Serbia · Serbian SuperLiga

1 player Still collecting

Seasons ending in 2026

53 documented players · 17 leagues

The overall number for this year is not yet established. A player appearing in two leagues is counted once in the year total.

Germany · Bundesliga

11 players Still collecting

Belgium · Belgian Pro League

8 players Still collecting

Netherlands · Eredivisie

6 players Still collecting

England · EFL Championship

5 players Still collecting

England · Premier League

4 players Still collecting

Germany · 2. Bundesliga

4 players Still collecting

United States / Canada · Major League Soccer

4 players Still collecting

Spain · LaLiga

2 players Still collecting

France · Ligue 1

2 players Still collecting

France · Ligue 2 (second tier)

2 players Still collecting

Scotland · Scottish Premiership

2 players Still collecting

Australia / New Zealand · A-League Men

1 player Still collecting

Belgium · Challenger Pro League (second tier)

1 player Still collecting

Czechia · Chance Liga

1 player Still collecting

Denmark · Danish Superliga

1 player Still collecting

Italy · Serie A

1 player Still collecting

Portugal · Primeira Liga

1 player Still collecting

Seasons ending in 2025

53 documented players · 23 leagues

The overall number for this year is not yet established. A player appearing in two leagues is counted once in the year total.

Belgium · Belgian Pro League

9 players Still collecting

Germany · Bundesliga

7 players Still collecting

England · Premier League

5 players Checked against league total

The number of players has been matched to the league's official list.

France · Ligue 1

5 players Still collecting

England · EFL Championship

4 players Still collecting

Netherlands · Eredivisie

4 players Still collecting

United States / Canada · Major League Soccer

4 players Still collecting

Scotland · Scottish Premiership

3 players Still collecting

England · EFL League One (third tier)

2 players Still collecting

Spain · LaLiga

2 players Still collecting

Australia / New Zealand · A-League Men

1 player Still collecting

Belgium · Challenger Pro League (second tier)

1 player Still collecting

Denmark · Danish Superliga

1 player Still collecting

Germany · 2. Bundesliga

1 player Still collecting

Germany · Regionalliga Bayern (fourth tier)

1 player Still collecting

Germany · Regionalliga West (fourth tier)

1 player Still collecting

Hungary · Nemzeti Bajnokság I

1 player Still collecting

Italy · Serie A

1 player Still collecting

Poland · Ekstraklasa

1 player Still collecting

Portugal · Liga Portugal 2 (second tier)

1 player Still collecting

Portugal · Primeira Liga

1 player Still collecting

Switzerland · Swiss Super League

1 player Still collecting

Turkey · Süper Lig

1 player Still collecting

Seasons ending in 2024

52 documented players · 20 leagues

The overall number for this year is not yet established. A player appearing in two leagues is counted once in the year total.

Belgium · Belgian Pro League

10 players Still collecting

One player appeared for more than one club this season. We show each club, but count the player only once.

Germany · Bundesliga

8 players Still collecting

Netherlands · Eredivisie

5 players Still collecting

England · Premier League

4 players Still collecting

Scotland · Scottish Premiership

4 players Still collecting

United States / Canada · Major League Soccer

4 players Still collecting

France · Ligue 1

3 players Still collecting

Germany · 2. Bundesliga

3 players Still collecting

Portugal · Primeira Liga

3 players Still collecting

England · EFL Championship

2 players Still collecting

Austria · Austrian Bundesliga

1 player Still collecting

Belgium · Challenger Pro League (second tier)

1 player Still collecting

Bhutan · Bhutan Premier League

1 player Still collecting

Denmark · Danish Superliga

1 player Still collecting

Spain · LaLiga

1 player Still collecting

Germany · Regionalliga West (fourth tier)

1 player Still collecting

Italy · Serie A

1 player Still collecting

Portugal · Liga Portugal 2 (second tier)

1 player Still collecting

Qatar · Qatar Stars League

1 player Still collecting

Switzerland · Swiss Super League

1 player Still collecting

Seasons ending in 2023

43 documented players · 16 leagues

The overall number for this year is not yet established. A player appearing in two leagues is counted once in the year total.

Germany · Bundesliga

9 players Still collecting

One player appeared for more than one club this season. We show each club, but count the player only once.

Belgium · Belgian Pro League

8 players Still collecting

Scotland · Scottish Premiership

4 players Still collecting

France · Ligue 1

3 players Still collecting

Portugal · Primeira Liga

3 players Still collecting

United States / Canada · Major League Soccer

3 players Still collecting

England · Premier League

2 players Still collecting

Germany · 2. Bundesliga

2 players Still collecting

Netherlands · Eredivisie

2 players Still collecting

Switzerland · Swiss Super League

2 players Still collecting

Austria · Austrian Bundesliga

1 player Still collecting

England · EFL Championship

1 player Still collecting

Spain · LaLiga

1 player Still collecting

Spain · LaLiga SmartBank (second tier)

1 player Still collecting

Qatar · Qatar Stars League

1 player Still collecting

Turkey · Süper Lig

1 player Still collecting

Seasons ending in 2022

40 documented players · 19 leagues

The overall number for this year is not yet established. A player appearing in two leagues is counted once in the year total.

Belgium · Belgian Pro League

7 players Still collecting

Germany · Bundesliga

7 players Still collecting

Germany · 2. Bundesliga

3 players Still collecting

Netherlands · Eredivisie

3 players Still collecting

Portugal · Primeira Liga

3 players Still collecting

Scotland · Scottish Premiership

3 players Still collecting

England · Premier League

2 players Still collecting

Spain · LaLiga SmartBank (second tier)

2 players Still collecting

Switzerland · Swiss Super League

2 players Still collecting

Austria · Austrian 2. Liga (second tier)

1 player Still collecting

Austria · Austrian Bundesliga

1 player Still collecting

Belgium · 1B Pro League (second tier)

1 player Still collecting

Spain · LaLiga

1 player Still collecting

France · Ligue 1

1 player Still collecting

France · Ligue 2 (second tier)

1 player Still collecting

Greece · Super League Greece

1 player Still collecting

Italy · Serie A

1 player Still collecting

Portugal · Liga Portugal 2 (second tier)

1 player Still collecting

United States / Canada · Major League Soccer

1 player Still collecting

Seasons ending in 2021

36 documented players · 20 leagues

The overall number for this year is not yet established. A player appearing in two leagues is counted once in the year total.

Germany · Bundesliga

6 players Still collecting

Belgium · Belgian Pro League

5 players Still collecting

Spain · LaLiga

4 players Still collecting

One player appeared for more than one club this season. We show each club, but count the player only once.

France · Ligue 1

4 players Still collecting

Netherlands · Eredivisie

3 players Still collecting

Germany · 2. Bundesliga

2 players Still collecting

Italy · Serie A

2 players Still collecting

Portugal · Primeira Liga

2 players Still collecting

Austria · Austrian 2. Liga (second tier)

1 player Still collecting

Austria · Austrian Bundesliga

1 player Still collecting

Azerbaijan · Azerbaijan Premier League

1 player Still collecting

Belgium · 1B Pro League (second tier)

1 player Still collecting

England · Premier League

1 player Still collecting

One player appeared for more than one club this season. We show each club, but count the player only once.

Spain · LaLiga SmartBank (second tier)

1 player Still collecting

Greece · Super League Greece

1 player Still collecting

Lithuania · A Lyga

1 player Still collecting

Serbia · Serbian SuperLiga

1 player Still collecting

United Arab Emirates · UAE Pro League

1 player Still collecting

United States / Canada · Major League Soccer

1 player Still collecting

Vietnam · V.League 1

1 player Still collecting

Seasons ending in 2020

31 documented players · 15 leagues

The overall number for this year is not yet established. A player appearing in two leagues is counted once in the year total.

Netherlands · Eredivisie

6 players Still collecting

Belgium · Belgian Pro League

4 players Still collecting

England · Premier League

3 players Still collecting

Spain · LaLiga SmartBank (second tier)

3 players Still collecting

Germany · Bundesliga

3 players Still collecting

Portugal · Primeira Liga

3 players Still collecting

Spain · LaLiga

2 players Still collecting

Germany · 2. Bundesliga

2 players Still collecting

Italy · Serie A

2 players Still collecting

Austria · Austrian Bundesliga

1 player Still collecting

Brazil · Campeonato Brasileiro Série A

1 player Still collecting

France · Ligue 1

1 player Still collecting

Serbia · Serbian SuperLiga

1 player Still collecting

Turkey · Süper Lig

1 player Still collecting

United States / Canada · Major League Soccer

1 player Still collecting

Seasons ending in 2019

26 documented players · 11 leagues

The overall number for this year is not yet established. A player appearing in two leagues is counted once in the year total.

Germany · Bundesliga

7 players Still collecting

Belgium · Belgian Pro League

3 players Still collecting

England · Premier League

3 players Still collecting

France · Ligue 1

3 players Still collecting

Germany · 2. Bundesliga

3 players Still collecting

Spain · LaLiga

2 players Still collecting

One player appeared for more than one club this season. We show each club, but count the player only once.

Netherlands · Eredivisie

2 players Still collecting

Portugal · Primeira Liga

2 players Still collecting

Turkey · Süper Lig

2 players Still collecting

Australia / New Zealand · A-League Men

1 player Still collecting

Qatar · Qatar Stars League

1 player Still collecting

Seasons ending in 2018

23 documented players · 13 leagues

The overall number for this year is not yet established. A player appearing in two leagues is counted once in the year total.

Germany · Bundesliga

8 players Still collecting

Germany · 2. Bundesliga

3 players Still collecting

England · Premier League

2 players Still collecting

Spain · LaLiga

2 players Still collecting

France · Ligue 1

2 players Still collecting

Austria · Austrian Bundesliga

1 player Still collecting

Belgium · Belgian Pro League

1 player Still collecting

Italy · Serie A

1 player Still collecting

Mexico · Liga MX

1 player Still collecting

Netherlands · Eredivisie

1 player Still collecting

Poland · I liga (second tier)

1 player Still collecting

Portugal · Primeira Liga

1 player Still collecting

Turkey · Süper Lig

1 player Still collecting

Seasons ending in 2017

21 documented players · 10 leagues

The overall number for this year is not yet established. A player appearing in two leagues is counted once in the year total.

Germany · Bundesliga

7 players Still collecting

Austria · Erste Liga (Austrian second tier)

2 players Still collecting

England · Premier League

2 players Still collecting

Spain · LaLiga

2 players Still collecting

France · Ligue 1

2 players Still collecting

Germany · 2. Bundesliga

2 players Still collecting

Italy · Serie A

2 players Still collecting

Belgium · Belgian Pro League

1 player Still collecting

Spain · LaLiga SmartBank (second tier)

1 player Still collecting

Switzerland · Swiss Super League

1 player Still collecting

Seasons ending in 2016

18 documented players · 9 leagues

The overall number for this year is not yet established. A player appearing in two leagues is counted once in the year total.

Germany · Bundesliga

9 players Still collecting

England · Premier League

2 players Still collecting

Italy · Serie A

2 players Still collecting

Austria · Erste Liga (Austrian second tier)

1 player Still collecting

Austria · Regionalliga Ost (third tier)

1 player Still collecting

Spain · LaLiga

1 player Still collecting

Germany · 2. Bundesliga

1 player Still collecting

Scotland · Scottish Premiership

1 player Still collecting

Switzerland · Swiss Super League

1 player Still collecting

Seasons ending in 2015

16 documented players · 7 leagues

The overall number for this year is not yet established. A player appearing in two leagues is counted once in the year total.

Germany · Bundesliga

10 players Still collecting

Italy · Serie A

2 players Still collecting

Belgium · Belgian Pro League

1 player Still collecting

England · Premier League

1 player Still collecting

Netherlands · Eerste Divisie (second tier)

1 player Still collecting

Netherlands · Eredivisie

1 player Still collecting

Switzerland · Swiss Super League

1 player Still collecting

Seasons ending in 2014

17 documented players · 9 leagues

The overall number for this year is not yet established. A player appearing in two leagues is counted once in the year total.

Germany · Bundesliga

7 players Still collecting

One player appeared for more than one club this season. We show each club, but count the player only once.

England · Premier League

3 players Still collecting

Italy · Serie A

2 players Still collecting

Australia / New Zealand · A-League Men

1 player Still collecting

Belgium · Belgian Pro League

1 player Still collecting

Germany · 2. Bundesliga

1 player Still collecting

Poland · Ekstraklasa

1 player Still collecting

Russia · Russian Premier League

1 player Still collecting

Switzerland · Swiss Super League

1 player Still collecting

Seasons ending in 2013

17 documented players · 9 leagues

The overall number for this year is not yet established. A player appearing in two leagues is counted once in the year total.

Germany · Bundesliga

8 players Still collecting

England · Premier League

3 players Still collecting

Italy · Serie A

2 players Still collecting

Australia / New Zealand · A-League Men

1 player Still collecting

Belgium · Belgian Pro League

1 player Still collecting

Bulgaria · A PFG (Bulgarian top division)

1 player Still collecting

Netherlands · Eredivisie

1 player Still collecting

Russia · Russian Premier League

1 player Still collecting

United Arab Emirates · UAE Pro League

1 player Still collecting

Seasons ending in 2012

14 documented players · 9 leagues

The overall number for this year is not yet established. A player appearing in two leagues is counted once in the year total.

Germany · Bundesliga

6 players Still collecting

Italy · Serie A

2 players Still collecting

Belgium · Belgian Pro League

1 player Still collecting

England · Premier League

1 player Still collecting

France · Ligue 1

1 player Still collecting

Germany · 2. Bundesliga

1 player Still collecting

Germany · Regionalliga Süd (fourth tier, 2011/12)

1 player Still collecting

Netherlands · Eredivisie

1 player Still collecting

Russia · Russian Premier League

1 player Still collecting

Seasons ending in 2011

10 documented players · 5 leagues

The overall number for this year is not yet established. A player appearing in two leagues is counted once in the year total.

Germany · Bundesliga

4 players Still collecting

Italy · Serie A

2 players Still collecting

One player appeared for more than one club this season. We show each club, but count the player only once.

Netherlands · Eredivisie

2 players Still collecting

Belgium · Belgian Pro League

1 player Still collecting

France · Ligue 2 (second tier)

1 player Still collecting

Seasons ending in 2010

8 documented players · 7 leagues

The overall number for this year is not yet established. A player appearing in two leagues is counted once in the year total.

France · Ligue 1

2 players Still collecting

Germany · Bundesliga

2 players Still collecting

Russia · Russian Premier League

2 players Still collecting

Spain · LaLiga

1 player Still collecting

Italy · Serie A

1 player Still collecting

South Korea · K League (Korean top division)

1 player Still collecting

Netherlands · Eredivisie

1 player Still collecting

Seasons ending in 2009

8 documented players · 5 leagues

The overall number for this year is not yet established. A player appearing in two leagues is counted once in the year total.

Germany · Bundesliga

4 players Still collecting

France · Ligue 1

1 player Still collecting

Italy · Serie A

1 player Still collecting

Netherlands · Eerste Divisie (second tier)

1 player Still collecting

Scotland · Scottish Premier League

1 player Still collecting

Seasons ending in 2008

8 documented players · 5 leagues

The overall number for this year is not yet established. A player appearing in two leagues is counted once in the year total.

Germany · Bundesliga

4 players Still collecting

France · Ligue 1

1 player Still collecting

Italy · Serie A

1 player Still collecting

Netherlands · Eredivisie

1 player Still collecting

Scotland · Scottish Premier League

1 player Still collecting

Seasons ending in 2007

5 documented players · 6 leagues

The overall number for this year is not yet established. A player appearing in two leagues is counted once in the year total.

England · EFL Championship

1 player Still collecting

France · Ligue 1

1 player Still collecting

Germany · Bundesliga

1 player Still collecting

Italy · Serie A

1 player Still collecting

Scotland · Scottish Premier League

1 player Still collecting

Turkey · Süper Lig

1 player Still collecting

Seasons ending in 2006

8 documented players · 7 leagues

The overall number for this year is not yet established. A player appearing in two leagues is counted once in the year total.

England · Premier League

2 players Still collecting

Spain · LaLiga

1 player Still collecting

France · Ligue 1

1 player Still collecting

Germany · Bundesliga

1 player Still collecting

Italy · Serie A

1 player Still collecting

Netherlands · Eredivisie

1 player Still collecting

Scotland · Scottish Premier League

1 player Still collecting

Seasons ending in 2005

7 documented players · 7 leagues

The overall number for this year is not yet established. A player appearing in two leagues is counted once in the year total.

Italy · Serie A

2 players Still collecting

England · EFL Championship

1 player Still collecting

England · Premier League

1 player Still collecting

Spain · LaLiga

1 player Still collecting

France · Ligue 2 (second tier)

1 player Still collecting

Germany · Bundesliga

1 player Still collecting

Netherlands · Eredivisie

1 player Still collecting

Seasons ending in 2004

7 documented players · 5 leagues

The overall number for this year is not yet established. A player appearing in two leagues is counted once in the year total.

Italy · Serie A

3 players Still collecting

One player appeared for more than one club this season. We show each club, but count the player only once.

Denmark · Danish Superliga

1 player Still collecting

England · Premier League

1 player Still collecting

Germany · Bundesliga

1 player Still collecting

Netherlands · Eredivisie

1 player Still collecting

Seasons ending in 2003

6 documented players · 5 leagues

The overall number for this year is not yet established. A player appearing in two leagues is counted once in the year total.

Italy · Serie A

2 players Still collecting

England · Football League First Division (English second tier)

1 player Still collecting

England · Premier League

1 player Still collecting

Germany · Bundesliga

1 player Still collecting

Netherlands · Eredivisie

1 player Still collecting

Seasons ending in 2002

3 documented players · 3 leagues

The overall number for this year is not yet established. A player appearing in two leagues is counted once in the year total.

Argentina · Argentine Primera División

1 player Still collecting

England · Football League First Division (English second tier)

1 player Still collecting

Netherlands · Eredivisie

1 player Still collecting

Seasons ending in 2001

1 documented player · 1 league

The overall number for this year is not yet established. A player appearing in two leagues is counted once in the year total.

Italy · Serie A

1 player Still collecting

Seasons ending in 2000

1 documented player · 1 league

The overall number for this year is not yet established. A player appearing in two leagues is counted once in the year total.

Italy · Serie A

1 player Still collecting

Seasons ending in 1999

1 documented player · 1 league

The overall number for this year is not yet established. A player appearing in two leagues is counted once in the year total.

Italy · Serie A

1 player Still collecting