Returning to the blue and red with experience and confidence gained in the J3 League
A major challenge chosen for growth
DF 50 Renta HIGASHI
Introducing all the blue and red warriors taking on the 2026 Meiji Yasuda J1 Century Vision League in 'PLAYERS FILE 2026.' What thoughts do the players hold, and with what resolve are they preparing to face the year ahead, especially with the special half-season tournament approaching?
Renta HIGASHI, who gained confidence as a center back by playing in 12 matches for Giravanz Kitakyushu, has returned to the blue and red from a developmental loan. He faces fierce competition for his position, taking on the challenge to push his own growth. Having recovered from a serious injury and improved his condition, what are his thoughts as he aims to walk his soccer journey on his own feet once again?
After being promoted to the top team at FC Tokyo, the greatest hardship he faced was a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee and damage to the posterolateral corner of the left knee. After a long absence from the left leg, he returned in August 2024, and during the process of regaining match fitness, he decided on a developmental-type loan transfer to Giravanz Kitakyushu. Renta HIGASHI had no hesitation in his feelings, saying, "It was a challenge to gain match experience. I chose it myself."
The battle in the Meiji Yasuda J3 League for the first time in two seasons since playing for SC Sagamihara in the 2023 season. There were completely different trends compared to the J1 League, and there was much to learn from competing on a stage that felt like a different world.
“Soccer is completely different in the J1 League, J2 League, and J3 League. I think the J1 League has some calmer periods, but the J3 League really moves at a very fast pace. The transition from offense to defense when facing a counterattack is quick and aggressive, so I thought maybe J3 is more interesting for the fans to watch. There are also many long balls and more physical battles, so it’s a completely different league from J1.”
For Higashi, who desires competition as a center back, the J3 League, where the back line is often numerically disadvantaged and exposed to the opponent's attacks, became a true place of "training." "The number of times we are attacked is incredibly higher compared to the J1 League. Each time, we have to continue making the best possible responses, so I felt it was very difficult," he said, while also expressing confidence: "Dealing with long balls is my strength, so I was able to show quite a difference there." He grew through actual matches in the physically demanding J3 League and returned to Kodaira.
There is no doubt that he gained confidence. While he has returned to Tokyo, some might think it would be better for him to continue gaining experience in Kitakyushu. However, he judged that absorbing the strengths of players like Masato MORISHIGE and Alexander SCHOLZ in that environment was also necessary for his own growth. Rather than continuing the same kind of training, he made the decision to incorporate a different perspective. That was the resolve behind his return to the blue and red.
"I don't know if this choice was the right one. But I want to get involved in matches even a little at Tokyo and take a starting spot away from the strong players. Achieving even one of those things would give me great confidence. I made this choice as a challenge for my growth."
In the practice match at the Okinawa Itoman camp, energetic young players caught the eye, and Higashi was one of them. "I am desperately trying to make an impression," he said, looking ahead, with a flushed face from sweat and a sparkling gaze full of passion for soccer.
(Honorifics omitted in the text)
Text by Masaru Goto (Freelance Writer)
