Takeshi Okada has resigned as vice president of the Japan Football Association (JFA) in protest against the political direction of FIFA. His resignation, effective October 24, was driven by what he described as a "significant gap" between his ethical standards and FIFA's actions.
"I have always believed that sports should be noble and have cherished their social value," Okada said in a statement. "However, the recent actions surrounding the FIFA World Cup have created a significant gap between my beliefs and the actions taken, and as a sportsman, I could not accept them, which led me to this decision."
The move comes shortly after the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) held an extraordinary congress in Tokyo in mid-October, confirming its support for incumbent president Gianni Infantino's re-election bid. The AFC comprises 46 of the 211 FIFA member federations voting in the election scheduled for March 18 next year in Rabat, Morocco. Okada acknowledged practical reasons for the AFC's alignment but stated he could not participate personally.
"I am very sorry to be stepping down from my position before the end of my term," Okada added. "But I hope you will understand that this is a decision I have made after careful consideration."
The 70-year-old Okada, a revered figure who coached Japan at the 1998 and 2010 FIFA World Cups, had been one of three JFA vice presidents since March 2016. His departure is entirely of his own volition.
The resignation unfolds as the national team enjoys a positive run of form. Their latest result was a 2-1 victory over New Zealand on October 5, part of an unbeaten streak of three wins and one draw (WDWW) in their last four matches. The Samurai Blue now prepare for a significant friendly against Brazil at home on November 14, with the team's fixtures schedule progressing steadily.
Meanwhile, JFA president Tsuneyasu Miyamoto has reiterated Japan's aim to host the men's World Cup before 2050. FIFA's political dynamics could influence such long-term ambitions. Infantino's re-election campaign is reported to include a promise of $25 million in development project funds for each member association over four years. UEFA has committed to finding a candidate to run against him by November 18.
Okada's resignation highlights the difficult choices national associations face between ethical concerns over football governance and the practical demands of continental solidarity. The Japan squad can be viewed in full on our squad page ahead of the Brazil clash.
Background and full detail: japantoday.com
