TOKYO - The Japan Football Association announced Wednesday that Vice President Takeshi Okada, a former manager of the men's national team, has resigned before the end of his term.
Sources familiar with the matter said the 70-year-old, who stepped down on Saturday, departed due to dissatisfaction over several issues involving world ruling body FIFA at this summer's World Cup, as well as the JFA's response.
"There was a significant gap between the handling of issues surrounding this World Cup and my own personal principles," Okada said in a statement released by the JFA. "As a sportsman, I could not accept this, which led to my decision to resign."
The World Cup was overshadowed by concerns over the close relationship between FIFA President Gianni Infantino and U.S. President Donald Trump, as well as FIFA's decision to suspend the enforcement of a match ban for a U.S. player.
After the tournament, Infantino unveiled a plan to establish a subsidiary to oversee World Cup operations but later withdrew the proposal following strong opposition from bodies including UEFA.
Asian Football Confederation President Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa has backed Infantino's bid for re-election in next March's FIFA presidential election.
While JFA President Tsuneyasu Miyamoto has indicated that support for the AFC position represents the Japanese association's basic stance, Okada did not support the current FIFA leadership.
Okada's term as JFA vice president was due to run until March 2028.
