SOCCER

How Hajime Moriyasu has shaped Samurai Blue in his image

Moriyasu's measured leadership has overseen a period of steady progress for Japan — and raised expectations ahead of this year's World Cup.

By The Japan Times

• March 27, 2026 at 2:25 AM

How Hajime Moriyasu has shaped Samurai Blue in his image Photo: The Japan Times

Hajime Moriyasu, manager of the Japan national soccer team, at the Toyota Motor head office in Tokyo on March 13
By Sean Carroll
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In modern soccer it is rare for coaches to be afforded time, but as Japan heads into an eighth successive World Cup it is fair to say that Samurai Blue has very much been shaped in Hajime Moriyasu’s image.The 57-year-old was promoted to the top job in 2018 after serving as an assistant to Akira Nishino at that year’s competition in Russia, instigating real progress and creating plenty of history in his almost eight years in charge.That includes landmark wins over former world champions Germany and Spain at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, as well as a victory over Brazil in a Tokyo friendly last October.

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