is a Japanese professional footballer who plays as a winger or a forward for the Belgian Pro League team Genk and the Japan national team.
Club career Early club career After attending Kanagawa University for four years, Itō first became a Special Designated Player for Ventforet Kofu, and obtained a new contract with the J1 League side. His first professional season attracted attention from Chiba-based Kashiwa Reysol, which signed him in January 2016.
On 31 January 2019, Itō moved from Kashiwa Reysol to Genk on a one-year loan. On 18 September, he made his Champions League debut as a starter in the group stage match against Red Bull Salzburg. On 30 March 2020, Itō signed permanently with Genk on a three-year contract.
Stade Reims and return to Genk On 29 July 2022, Itō joined Ligue 1 club Reims. On 23 October, he scored the winner in a 2–1 victory against Auxerre. In the 2023–24 Ligue 1 opening game on 12 August 2023, Itō scored a stunning opening goal against Marseille, but Reims eventually lost 2–1. In August 2025, following his club's relegation from Ligue 1 in the 2024–25 season, Itō returned to Genk and signed a three-year contract.
International career Itō made his Japan national team debut in 2017. He was selected for Hajime Moriyasu's final World Cup squad in October 2022.
On 15 May 2026, Itō was selected in the 26-man squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Controversies On 31 January 2024, Shukan Shincho reported that police had launched an investigation into Itō following a criminal complaint filed by two women alleging that he had engaged in sexual misconduct with them while they were intoxicated at a hotel in Osaka without their consent after a match for Japan against Peru in June 2023.
In response to this report, the Japan Football Association decided on February 1 to withdraw Ito from the ongoing 2023 AFC Asian Cup after considering Ito's physical and mental condition.
On 1 February, Itō filed a criminal complaint against the two women with the Osaka Prefectural Police for filing false complaints. On 19 February, he filed a lawsuit against the two women at the Osaka District Court, claiming that their sponsorship contracts were terminated due to false complaints and demanding 200 million yen in damages.
The case was transferred to the Tokyo District Court in May and both Itō and the women were referred to prosecutors in July. On 9 August, prosecutors dropped both charges against Ito and Ito's countersuit on his accusers, citing lack of evidence.
Career statistics Club
+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competitionClubSeasonLeagueNational cupLeague cupContinentalOtherTotalDivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsVentforet Kofu2015J1 League3042060——384Kashiwa Reysol2016J1 League3372060——4172017J1 League3464040——4262018J1 League346110062—419Total101197110062—12422Genk (loan)2018–19Belgian Pro League13300—10—1432019–20Belgian Pro League29521—6010386Total42821—6010529Genk2020–21Belgian Pro League381141———42122021–22Belgian Pro League39810—80104982022–23Belgian Pro League10————10Total781951—80109220Reims2022–23Ligue 135610———3662023–24Ligue 131300———3132024–25Ligue 133450——10394Total991360——1010613Genk2025–26Belgian Pro League28600—81—3672026–27Belgian Pro League7100———71Total36700—81—438Career total385692231602933045576
International
+ Appearances and goals by national team and yearNational teamYearAppsGoalsJapan2017302018422019100202030202195202213220238420241012025602026102Total7616
Scores and results list Japan's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Itō goal.
+ List of international goals scored by Junya ItōNo.DateVenueCapOpponentScoreResultCompetition1 11 September 2018 Panasonic Stadium Suita, Suita, Japan 4 3–0 3–0 2018 Kirin Challenge Cup2 12 October 2018 Denka Big Swan Stadium, Niigata, Japan 5 2–0 3–0 2018 Kirin Challenge Cup3 30 March 2021 Fukuda Denshi Arena, Chiba, Japan 22 8–0 14–0 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification4 10–05 11 June 2021 Noevir Stadium Kobe, Kobe, Japan 24 1–0 1–0 Friendly6 11 November 2021 Mỹ Đình National Stadium, Hanoi, Vietnam 28 1–0 1–0 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification7 16 November 2021 Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex, Muscat, Oman 29 1–0 1–0 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification8 27 January 2022 Saitama Stadium 2002, Saitama, Japan 30 2–0 2–0 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification9 1 February 2022 Saitama Stadium 2002, Saitama, Japan 31 2–0 2–0 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification10 20 June 2023 Panasonic Stadium Suita, Suita, Japan 45 3–0 4–1 2023 Kirin Challenge Cup11 9 September 2023 Volkswagen Arena, Wolfsburg, Germany 46 1–0 4–1 Friendly12 12 September 2023 Cegeka Arena, Genk, Belgium 47 4–2 4–2 2023 Kirin Challenge Cup13 17 October 2023 Noevir Stadium Kobe, Kobe, Japan 49 2–0 2–0 2023 Kirin Challenge Cup14 5 September 2024 Saitama Stadium 2002, Saitama, Japan 55 5–0 7–0 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification15 28 March 2026 Hampden Park, Glasgow, Scotland 67 1–0 1–0 Kirin World Challenge 202616 20 June 2026 Estadio BBVA, Guadalupe, Mexico 71 3–0 4–0 2026 FIFA World Cup
Honours Genk Belgian First Division A: 2018–19 Belgian Cup: 2020–21 Belgian Super Cup: 2019
Reims Coupe de France runner-up: 2024–25
Individual Belgian First Division A Team of the Season: 2020–21 Belgian First Division A top assist provider: 2021–22 Belgian First Division A Goal of the Season: 2021–22 Japan Pro-Footballers Association Best XI: 2022, 2023, 2024Japan Pro-Footballers Association awards
References
External links Profile at Kashiwa Reysol