is a Japanese former professional footballer who played as a midfielder. He played for the Japan national team. He is currently the manager of J1 League club Gamba Osaka.
Club career Myojin was born in Kobe on 24 January 1978. He joined J1 League club Kashiwa Reysol from youth team in 1996. He played many matches as defensive midfielder from first season. He became a regular player under manager Akira Nishino in 1998. In 1999, Reysol won the champions in J.League Cup and the 3rd place in J1 League. In 2000, Reysol won the 3rd place in J1 League for two years in a row and he was selected Best Eleven award. However the club results were sluggish from 2002 and was relegated to J2 League end of 2005 season.
In 2006, Myojin moved to Gamba Osaka which was managed by Akira Nishino. He played as regular player with many Japan national team player and Gamba won the many title, 2007 J.League Cup, 2008 and 2009 Emperor's Cup. In Asia, Gamba also won the champions in 2008 AFC Champions League and the 3rd place in 2008 Club World Cup. This is the golden era in the club history and he was one of the central player under manager Nishino. However manager Nishino left Gamba end of 2011 season and the club performance deteriorated soon. In 2012, Gamba finished at the 17th place of 18 clubs and was relegated to J2 League. Although his opportunity to play decreased from 2013, Gamba won the champions in 2013 J2 League and was returned to J1. In 2014, Gamba won all three major title in Japan, J1 League, J.League Cup and Emperor's Cup. He resigned end of 2015 season.
In 2016, Myojin moved to Nagoya Grampus.Gamba Osaka However he could not play many matches. Grampus also finished at the 16th place and was relegated to J2. In 2017, Myojin moved to J3 League club Nagano Parceiro; after three seasons, he opted to retire at the end of 2019.
International career In June 1997, Myojin was selected Japan U20 national team for 1997 World Youth Championship. At this tournament, he played full time in all 5 matches as defensive midfielder. In September 2000, he was selected Japan U23 national team for 2000 Summer Olympics. At this tournament, he played full time in all four matches as defensive midfielder with Junichi Inamoto.
He was capped 26 times and scored 3 goals for the Japan national team between 2000 and 2002. He played three games at the 2002 FIFA World Cup.
Career statistics
Club + Appearances and goals by club, season and competitionNippon Sports Kikaku Publishing inc./日本スポーツ企画出版社, "J1&J2&J3選手名鑑ハンディ版 2018 (NSK MOOK)", 7 February 2018, Japan, (p. 255 out of 289)Nippon Sports Kikaku Publishing inc./日本スポーツ企画出版社, "2017 J1&J2&J3選手名鑑 (NSK MOOK)", 8 February 2017, Japan, (p. 251 out of 289)ClubSeasonLeagueEmperor's CupJ.League CupAsiaOtherTotalDivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsKashiwa Reysol1996J1 League1100020––13019971311060––20119982802041––34119993013040––37120002922020––33220012901040––34020022710010––28120032912140––35220042850060––34520052811040––331Total25212121371––30114Gamba Osaka2006J1 League25050203010360200733220100–1046220083235040141305842009312522150104452010294301060–3942011272100050–3322012311512050–4322013J2 League200100000–2102014J1 League1204050––210201510010304020200Total250143232914218036119Nagoya Grampus2016J1 League1500030––180Nagano Parceiro2017J3 League16010–––170201814000–––14020198020–––100Total38030–––410Career total538264746924217070333
International + Appearances and goals by national team and yearNational teamYearAppsGoalsJapan2000922001702002101Total263
Scores and results list Japan's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Myojin goal.
+ List of international goals scored by Tomokazu MyojinMYOJIN TomokazuNo.DateVenueOpponentScoreResultCompetition1 24 October 2000 Beirut, Lebanon 4–1 4–1 2000 AFC Asian Cup2 26 October 2000 Beirut, Lebanon 3–2 3–2 2000 AFC Asian Cup3 17 April 2002 Yokohama, Japan 1–0 1–1 Friendly
Managerial career On 18 July 2026, Myojin was appointed the manager of Gamba Osaka, after Jens Wissing departed for Al-Ittihad.
Managerial statistics
+ Managerial record by team and tenureTeamNat.FromToRecordGamba Osaka18 July 2026PresentCareer Total
Honours Kashiwa Reysol J.League Cup – 1999
Gamba Osaka AFC Champions League – 2008 Pan-Pacific Championship – 2008 J1 League – 2014 Emperor's Cup – 2008, 2009, 2014, 2015 J.League Cup – 2007 Japanese Super Cup – 2007, 2015
Japan AFC Asian Cup – 2000
Individual J.League Best Eleven – 2000
References
External links
Japan National Football Team Database
Profile at AC Nagano Parceiro