Japan FA'S Tashima aims to run for Fifa presidency

TOKYO: Japan ⁠Football Association Honorary President Kozo Tashima announced on Thursday that he intended ​to run for ​the Fifa presidency in next March's election, becoming the first Japanese candidate to seek world football's top job.
The 68-year-old former Japan forward has served on the Fifa Council since 2015 and became JFA president the following year. Tsuneyasu Miyamoto succeeded him ⁠as JFA chief in 2024.
'I am grateful that I can ⁠make this announcement with the full support of the JFA,' Tashima told reporters after a JFA board meeting in Tokyo.
'It's not about winning or losing but ‌about conveying to the world the ​honest, sound and upright ⁠attitude that Japanese football has built.
'What Fifa needs ​now are these values that ‌we have protected. I have decided to run in order to make this appeal to the ​world.'
Nippon Sports said Tashima still needs nominations from five national associations, which is required to stand for election.
He is expected to get support from some South-east Asian countries and European associations critical of incumbent Gianni Infantino.
Potential candidates ‌have until November 18 to submit their nominations.
Former Tottenham Hotspur ​defender Ramon Vega was the first candidate to publicly declare his intention ​to ‌challenge ⁠Infantino when he announced in October that he would stand in the Fifa presidential election against his fellow Swiss.
Infantino has faced opposition ​since his unsuccessful attempt in July to bring private ⁠investors into ​a new Fifa commercial entity holding rights linked to competitions including the World Cup.
However, the 56-year-old administrator's prospects of securing another term received a significant boost last month after the head of Asian ​football endorsed his bid.
Support across Fifa's confederations has left him ​in a commanding position among the organisation's 211 voting members.