If you had to guess where the majority of the Japanese national team played their football you would probably suggest Japanese giants such as FC Tokyo, Sanfreece or Yokohama, however the reality is much more unexpected, with five of the playing squad at the World Cup having played for the European side.
64km east of Brussels sits the calm Belgian town of Sint-Truiden, a town with a population of just 42,000. It’s a traditional Belgian town, heaping with archicterual masterpieces and small cafes, but most importantly, a huge football team – currently competing with the very best. A club that has moulded the spine of the Japanese national team through opportunities in Europe.
Historically, Sint-Truiden football club have been a relatively unknown side, with their highest Belgian Pro League finish being 2nd in 1965/66 – a miracle at the time. Since then, they have stagnated, winning the second division multiple times but never challenging at the top. But in 2017 that all changed after the club was bought by Japanese company DMM.com – giving them 100% ownership. Since then, the Japanese owner Takayuki Takeshi has signed 37 Japanese players over 9 seasons – subsequently skyrocketing the Belgian club to 3rd place in the 2025/26 season.
Of these 37 players, 25 were bought from various Japanese leagues with 12 being brought in from Europe – often on loan. On the face of it, this may seem bizarre. Whilst the owners are Japanese themselves, most owners are not so insistent on signing players from their nation, however it represents the wider Japanese goal of improving as a footballing nation.
In 2005, the Japanese football association announced the idea that by 2050 they will be ready to win a World Cup – an ambitious yet possible goal. Historically, it would be possible to win it with domestic players, but as times have evolved, it is imperatively important that a nation has players playing in Europe in order to compete, and this is seemingly the role of Belgian side Sint Truiden.
The connection between Belguim and Japan has been executed extremely well. Whilst some fans are not particularly fond of the owners, the improvement as a club, financially and result-wise, make them difficult to critisice. One fan comments “In reality the fans aren’t that fond of the Japanese owners, but we like most of the Japanese players because of their work ethic and professionalism!
The two probable most known candidates: Tomiyasu and Endo, Premier League stars respectively, have both used the unique opportunity of Sint Truiden to showcase their talent and reach the very top – both making the leap from the J-league to the Belgian Pro League seamlessly, a leap they may not have otherwise taken without Sint Truiden. Another graduate is Daichi Kamada, who was offered a loan move after he struggled to adjust to life at Frankfurt. It was this loan move that ultimately catapulted his career and has led to him being an integral part of an impressive Crystal Palace side – winning three trophies in two years. Furthermore, the Japanese culture ingrained at the club allows them to improve the club’s stature in Belgium – making smart signings like Premier League winner, Shinji Okazaki and upcoming star Keisuke Goto.
In the future, as long as Takeshi remains in charge, St Truiden will continue to be a hub for Japanese players to move into the European leagues and who knows, maybe by 2050 they will win a World Cup.
The article is good, but I just want to point out that every website I’ve found says that STVV either came second or third (being on equal points with standard) in the 66/67 season not first.
You’re absolutely right, I realised halfway through writing it but forgot to change it in editing – thanks for the heads up!