TOKYO - Kozo Tashima, honorary president of the Japan Football Association, said Thursday he intends to run for the FIFA presidency in the March election.
"It's not about winning or losing. What matters is sharing with the world the integrity that Japan's football has built over the years," Tashima told reporters after the JFA's board meeting in Tokyo.
"The most reassuring thing is that the Japan Football Association is fully behind me," the former JFA president said.
The 68-year-old Tashima has served on the FIFA Council.
Tashima's FIFA presidency bid comes as incumbent President Gianni Infantino, known for his close ties with U.S. President Donald Trump, faces criticism over the football governing body's decision not to enforce a suspension of a U.S. player at this summer's World Cup.
Infantino also drew opposition after proposing the creation of a separate entity to oversee World Cup operations, before later withdrawing the plan amid strong resistance from organizations including UEFA.
