Referee Takafumi Mikuriya injured during Okayama vs FC Tokyo match

During the J1 League match between Fagiano Okayama and FC Tokyo on October 31, head referee Takafumi Mikuriya was forced to leave the pitch due to an injury. The incident occurred in the 44th minute of the first half, just before stoppage time.

Mikuriya informed both team benches of his injury and was replaced by fourth official Hirokazu Otsubo. Otsubo, a former professional player for Ehime FC, returned to officiating J1 matches for the first time since 2019. Following the substitution, FC Tokyo scored through forward Teruhito Nakagawa during first-half stoppage time to take a 1-0 lead.