Yoichiro Kakitani discusses career milestones and lost personal mementos

Former Japanese national football player Yoichiro Kakitani appeared on the TBS program ‘Jinsei Saiko Restaurant’ to discuss his career and personal life. Kakitani, who played in the 2014 World Cup, reflected on his professional journey, including his time with Tokushima Vortis and his rivalry with Shinji Kagawa.

Kakitani credited former manager Naohiko Minobe for helping him mature professionally. Minobe reportedly challenged Kakitani’s mindset by comparing his situation in Tokushima to Kagawa’s career in Germany, which motivated Kakitani to commit more seriously to football. Kakitani also shared how Minobe’s support during his final season at Tokushima eventually facilitated his return to Cerezo Osaka.

On a personal note, Kakitani’s wife, Manami Marutaka, appeared via video to praise his support with housework and childcare. Kakitani also shared a nostalgic anecdote from his time playing in Basel, Switzerland, where he and Marutaka kept an exchange diary. He humorously noted that the diary was lost after he apparently sent it to the wrong address, jokingly asking if anyone who found it could return it.