Universal Sports Japan Inc.
Samurai-to-Europe Bridge
Japan €52mm
Key Facts
Also known as: Universal Sports Japan; U-S Japan
Founded: 9 March 2005
Headquarters: Midtown Tower, 22F, 9-7-1 Akasaka, Minato, Tokyo 107-6222, Japan, Cosmopolis Shinagawa #903, 3-6-21 Konan, Minato, Tokyo 108-0075, Japan, Flat 4, Mountfort House, 15 Barnsbury Square, London N1 1JL, UK
Players: 68 (25 in 1st tiers) • Total market value: €52mm
FIFA/FA registration: CEO Takashi Endo is a licensed FIFA Football Agent (The FA – legacy path)
Languages: Japanese; English
Regions covered: Japan; UK, Germany, France, Netherlands, Belgium
Email: info@u-s-japan.net • Tel (JP): +81-3-5769-2363 • Tel (UK): +44 20 7607 6291
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/usj_sportagency
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/universal-sports-japan-inc./
About
Universal Sports Japan (USJ) is a Tokyo- and London-based agency representing elite and emerging Japanese footballers and select coaches. Founded in 2005, USJ has built a strong Europe-facing network and has delivered headline moves such as Wataru Endo to Liverpool and Hiroki Ito to Bayern. The firm blends transfer expertise with management services across legal, lifestyle, finance, sponsorship, media and second-career planning.
Key People
CEO/Founder: Takashi Endo — FIFA Football Agent (The FA, legacy path)
Chairman of the Board: Taichiro Motoe — J.League Director (2023–)
Managing Director / COO: Hiroki Takakura — Board Member & COO
Director: Yuki Kiryu
Auditor: Kiminobu Nishio
Licensed agents: Takashi Endo
Client Roster
Top players (current):
Hiroki Ito (Bayern Munich) — CB/LB; contract to 2028
Wataru Endo (Liverpool) — DM; contract to 2027
Hiroki Sekine (Stade de Reims) — RB; contract to 2029
Anrie Chase (RB Salzburg) — CB; contract to 2030
Yuma Suzuki (Kashima Antlers)
Rising talents / U23:
Sota Kawasaki (1. FSV Mainz 05 — loan, 2025)
Taiyo Hiraoka (Shonan Bellmare)
Ryuya Nishio (Cerezo Osaka)
Hiroki Sekine (Reims) — senior but U23-age at signing
Notable former/other clients:
Wide J1/J2 cohort including Kazuya Miyahara, Itsuki Someno, Yuki Kakita
Coaches/Staff represented (if any):
Mark Robinson; Christian Lattanzio
Notable Deals
2024 — Hiroki Ito: VfB Stuttgart → FC Bayern Munich; permanent; contract to 2028 (reported €30m clause)
2023 — Wataru Endo: VfB Stuttgart → Liverpool; permanent; four-year deal to 2027
2025 — Hiroki Sekine: Kashiwa Reysol → Stade de Reims; permanent; long-term deal
2025 — Sota Kawasaki: Kyoto Sanga → Mainz 05; loan (July 2025)
Services
Agent services: Transfers/loans, contract negotiation, European placements
Management services: Legal support, lifestyle/relocation, finance advisory, sponsor acquisition & account management, second-career support, media/PR
Partner Network
Bayern Munich, Liverpool, Stade de Reims, RB Salzburg, Mainz 05, Kashima Antlers, Cerezo Osaka, Shonan Bellmare, Kashiwa Reysol
Track Record (last 3 seasons)
Total transfers completed: 10+ senior moves/renewals across Bundesliga, Ligue 1 and J.League
Deals ≥ €10m: At least one (Ito to Bayern, ~€30m)
Clients in top-5 leagues: Multiple active in Bundesliga/Ligue 1/Premier League
National team clients: Japan senior internationals (e.g., Endo, Ito)
Renewal/extension deals: Various across J1; not centrally listed
Approach & Philosophy
Athlete-first and Europe-focused: USJ aims to maximize on-field value while planning for life after football, leveraging deep relationships in the UK, Germany, France, Netherlands and Belgium with holistic management support.
Fees & Transparency
Operates under FFAR and JFA intermediary rules. Commission ranges and dual-representation/expense policies are not publicly disclosed.
Compliance & Reputation
Disciplinary actions / sanctions: None publicly reported
Litigation / disputes: None located
Media sentiment: Positive/neutral — consistent coverage around marquee transfers and national-team call-ups
