Go Oiwa, who is set to officially take charge of Japan's national football team, has acknowledged the sizeable workload ahead. However, in remarks delivered on Friday, the tactician stressed that his immediate focus remains on steering the U-21 squad at the Asian Games (ASIAD), which Japan will host at the end of this year.
Under the current plan, Oiwa will simultaneously serve as head coach of both the senior national team and the U-21 side for a period. The challenge lies in balancing preparations for the national team's upcoming international fixtures with the youth squad's ASIAD campaign.
Oiwa's appointment comes as the Japan Football Association (JFA) looks to provide young players with continental exposure on home soil while building a pipeline for the future. The Asian Games are viewed as a prime opportunity for U-21 talents to gain valuable international experience.
Despite facing the dual pressure, the Japanese coach expressed his readiness for the new challenge. He sees it as a chance to cultivate an ambitious young generation while sustaining the national team's strength in major tournaments. Thorough preparation by the coaching staff, along with support from fans, is expected to help both Japan's senior team and U-21 side achieve strong results in 2026.
