People : WASEDA FOOTBALL CLUB’S ACE STRIKER
Mr. Takuro Yajima

Takuro Yajima, born Shiga Prefecture, 1984. Graduated from Zeze Prefectural High School, currently a senior in the School of Human Science. Member of Prof. Yoshio Nakamura’s seminar. A designated player for Kawasaki Frontale and a member of the Japan University Football Association team for 2004. He plays forward and likes reading and watching movies.

Takuro Yajima is an ace striker for the Waseda University Association Football Club. At the same time he’s a designated player for Kawasaki Frontale, a local club in the Japan Football League. “I was lucky to be selected, but I’ve still a long way to go,” said Takuro in his gentle Kansai accent. “The atmosphere and attitude of university football and professional football may be quite different, but since I joined the University club in 2000 and decided to play a leading part, I haven’t had any problems with compatibility.”

Three years ago, when Takuro was still a freshman, Waseda University Association Football Club was demoted from the Kanto Third League to the Tokyo Metropolitan Second League. The team was at an all-time low. Since then it’s risen to the top of the Kanto Third League and, depending on First League results, may be promoted to the Kanto First League. Takuro will probably retire after then. “All of us who were around in 2000, when the team was doing really badly, desperately want to see the team promoted. Soccer’s all about winning. It’s about scoring goals. The only way out of a slump is by scoring goals. But I’ve never been the type to let that get to me,” commented Takuro.

It was a long way from Shiga to Tokyo, “I was looking forward to coming up to Tokyo but found that my campus was in Saitama Prefecture,” laughed Takuro. With an eye to the future, Takuro is focusing on Sports Management studies. At the moment he’s particularly interested in the structure of professional soccer league management.

Off the field, Takuro is a different person - shy even. “I am not very good at meeting new people. Even on campus I find it difficult to mix in with groups of strangers. I know that Shinjuku and Shibuya are fashionable and convenient, and full of interesting people, but I don’t go out much - only on weekdays.” Is Takuro a stay-at-home? “Maybe I’m not a typical Kansai person. I’m not always looking around for something new and interesting to do. I prefer to watch,” he said with a smile. Right now he’s still recovering from an injury, but his determination to score goals is as great as ever. Let’s support Takuro Yajima and the Waseda team in the Kanto League!