Known for explosive reflex saves and leadership across Japan's breakthrough international era; biggest achievements: multiple Asian Cup titles, four World Cup squads, long J.League and European experience.
One rank above: Takumi Minamino at #16.
One rank below: Yuji Nakazawa at #18.
Japan's editorial top five: Hidetoshi Nakata · Shinji Kagawa · Keisuke Honda · Makoto Hasebe · Shunsuke Nakamura.