On the 9th, a press conference was held online with new recruit Yoichi Naganuma, where he answered questions from the media.

(I think the match in April was the first time you were exposed to coach Per-Mathias Hoegmo 's football. What was your impression at the time? And now that you're a part of the team, what do you think are the most important things to win?)
"The desire to hold the ball firmly has been an impression of Urawa Reds both last year and the year before, even with the new manager. In terms of what we need to do to move up the ranks in the future, I think it's important that we first reduce the number of goals we concede and score goals by playing more attacking football."

When you look back on your professional career, was there a season that you considered important?
"It's difficult because I think every season is important. However, I didn't get many games in the year and a half after I returned to (Sanfrecce) Hiroshima from my loan transfer, and the year and a half before I went to Tosu, but I placed great importance on the efforts I made in practice and outside of training, and those years and a half were very important to me, and I think they are reflected in my current soccer career."

(Why did you decide to play for the Reds at this time?)
"That's a difficult question. I received an offer, and I think everyone would agree that Urawa Reds is a really good club and an attractive club, but I decided to transfer this summer with the desire to see how much I can do at the Reds, just like I did at Sagan Tosu."

(I think you have to show off a lot to get into the game, but what do you think are your strengths? Coach Matthias seems to be thinking of using you as a full-back, but what position do you feel you are best in?)
"Last season I scored double digits as a forward and I want to play further up front, but I think my strength is my versatility, being able to perform well in the role I'm given in the position I'm given, so right now I'm just thinking about playing in the position I'm given and doing well."

(Why did you choose the number 88 for your uniform?)
"8 is my lucky number, but there is no 8 available, so I stacked 8s to make 88."

(As an opponent, you may have found the Reds fans and supporters unpleasant, but how do you feel about being on their side?)
"I've never disliked it, and when I came to Saitama Stadium on an away game, I thought it was a great stadium and the cheers were amazing, so as a player I was really excited even when we were away. I'm excited to think that it will now be our home stadium, and I'm looking forward to it."

(At the kick-off conference, you said that you are not the leader type, but that is something you have to do. The Reds may have many players who are assertive, but what else do you want to show in addition to your playing ability?)
"It's only been a week since I joined the team, but I know that there are a lot of players who are assertive and say 'me, me, me', so I want to play well and not give in to them and say 'me, me, me' as well. I think that summer transfers are difficult for any player, but right now I just want to do my best to get used to the team as quickly as possible and be a valuable asset to the team."

(You scored a goal at Saitama Stadium last season. How do you want to continue that feeling?)
"I want to join the attack as a fullback, score goals, and quickly become recognized by my teammates and the fans and supporters."

(I think joining the Reds is connected to aiming to play for the Japanese national team, but how do you feel about that?)
"There is competition on every team, but I think that if I can win against players of a higher caliber, I will be able to represent Japan, and it will also help me grow as a person. I'm getting older, but I want to start from scratch again, with the mentality of a rookie, and work hard to improve myself."

(Were there any players you knew before coming to the Reds?)
"We play against each other in matches, so I know their faces and names, but the only one I know is Abe (Hiroki), who was in the same age group as me. I didn't play against Nishikawa (Shusaku) during our time at Hiroshima, but I watched him in the youth team, so I kind of know him, and I'd say hello when we met."

(What did you focus on during this week in a group of mostly first-time riders?)
"I try to be proactive in communicating with people not only on the pitch, but also off the pitch during meals and in the locker room. I talk to a lot of different people and ask them what it's like at the Reds."

(When I talk to the players, I get the impression that the Reds are traditionally a club that puts a lot of pressure on the club. What is your impression of Urawa Reds and how do you plan to do in this situation?)
"I knew that it was a club where there was a lot of pressure. If we win, we're praised a lot, and if we lose, we're criticized. That's something that doesn't exist at other J.League clubs, and I think it's similar to overseas. I'm proud to be able to play in such an environment and as a member of such a club, and I think it will help me grow as a player."

(Does this mean that you have a positive attitude towards fighting alongside fans and supporters who have a strong desire to win?)
"That's right. This season, Tosu has suffered a lot of losses, and I think there will be different demands on me, so I want to try and do my best to contribute to the team's victory."

(Coach Matthias seems to be considering using you as a full-back, and I think that will depend on the balance with other players, but it is also true that the team has a deep player base. What is your honest impression after training for about a week, and do you feel that you can be effective?)
"Since coming to the Reds, I've only played as a full-back, and of course there are good players in that position, but I think I can bring a different style to the team. I want to show that in training."

(You've been used in the second row recently, and in the past you've been seen as a wing-back, but what do you think about your strengths as a player on the side of a four-man back line?)
"It was the same with Tosu, but I think the Reds also want to have possession of the ball, so I think I can play as a more attacking full-back, taking a higher position and getting in front of the goal and overtaking the opponents. I also think that my ability to get inside is one of my strengths."

(I have the impression that you can play in a variety of positions, but does it feel different on the right and left?)
"It's not that bad of a feeling. It doesn't matter if it's right or left."

(Is there not much difference in play between left and right?)
"It's easier to dribble from the left, but I don't think it's my weakness."

(This weekend, on the 11th, you will play away against Tosu. How do you feel about your first game since joining the team being against your former club?)
"I want to win, and first of all, I want to be a member of the team and go to Tosu."

[Urawa Reds Official Media (URD:OM)]