Overview
- The Japan Football Association announced on Friday that Hajime Moriyasu will continue as senior national coach for about six months to cover the Asian Cup next January and February.
- JFA officials said the short extension was chosen to protect immediate competitive momentum in Asia because Moriyasu has delivered stronger recent results in the region.
- From March friendlies onward the U21 coach Tsuyoshi Oiwa will assume concurrent senior-team duties to start a phased transition while retaining responsibility for the U21 side preparing for the 2028 Olympic cycle.
- The JFA’s technical committee evaluated foreign candidates and sought outside advice including from former coach Akira Nishino before deciding to prioritize continuity and succession over a full restart.
- The president signaled the move could prompt a reassessment of long-term targets set in the 2005 declaration, noting the federation may need to revise its aim of a 2030 World Cup top‑four finish given changed circumstances.