Kengo Arai, who serves as the club's official photographer. His encounter with FC Tokyo dates back more than 20 years.
Started working as a freelance sports photographer in 1999, mainly shooting J-League matches. Also attended matches of FC Tokyo, who were playing in J2 at the time.
"I go to take what I want to take" - Even if there is no prospect of it becoming a "job", I follow my intuition and heart. That is still Arai's creed.
Everything started from that day, from that Niigata.
November 21, 1999 J2 Final Match at Niigata Athletics Stadium
Hikaru the cameraman volunteered and went to a far away away game.
"While taking photos of FC Tokyo fighting in J2, I somehow felt that they were a team with 'potential'. They were friendly and had momentum, and although they stumbled in the middle of the season, I had a feeling that they might be promoted to J1, so I definitely wanted to capture them,"
However, at that time, the J2 League was not generally attracting much attention. Looking back, even the number of photographers was small, as FC Tokyo had lost their chance for promotion by the final match.
However, the team achieved J1 promotion in a dramatic fashion, making Arai's photographer rare.
"I was happy to see my photos being used in soccer magazines and club publications. It was the first time I realized that my photos were being shared with others through print media. If I hadn't taken those photos during that game, I probably wouldn't be where I am today."
From there, I began to follow the team that moved to the J1 stage, and in 2002, I received a request from the club and started working as an official.
"At first, it was a two-person system, and I was told that I only needed to cover home day games. After the game, if I could provide 100 photos, I was free to take photos however I liked. So I was able to freely take photos from my favorite angles and of the players I wanted to capture. It was really fun to take photos of players who were "キテル(coming)." There was a sense of anticipation that they would do something, and they actually did. That was the fun and thrill of being a photographer."
That iconic player is Amaral.
"So in 2003, during his last game (Nov 19, away game against Kashiwa), I cried. Even though we were down by 2 points, Amaral came in during the second half and scored 2 goals to lead us to a comeback victory. It was already very cold and raining, so my viewfinder was fogging up and I was crying (laughs). ...I'm no good, I can't be a photographer (bitter laugh)."
The following year, the club couldn't contain their overflowing emotions when they won their first title in the J.League Cup (then known as the Nabisco Cup).
"When GK Doi stopped it in the PK shootout and Kaji scored, I was like 'Wow...'. But at that moment, I immediately switched to 'I have to take a photo!' (laughs). I climbed to the top of the National Stadium and took a photo of the award ceremony. The view from the top was really refreshing."
Every season, every where
After working as an official for many years, Ivica OSIM now films all matches, both home and away, by himself.
"The way of taking photos has certainly changed. Before, I only needed to take photos of my favorite players, but now there are also things that the club expects from me, and I have to capture various things from different angles. Not just during games, but also taking photos of players entering the venue and the outside and back of the stadium. With the advancement of digitalization, speed has also become a requirement."
Hikaru Arai, the photographer, seems to feel pressure at times, but still says with a smile, "I still love doing it."
"When my first goal in Tokyo was expected of me, I also felt a little unwell. There were times when I couldn't score easily, and as time went by, more and more photographers came, and I even felt nauseous (bitter smile) at that time. It was my first experience."
In the past few seasons, the Official Cameraman was also in charge of the "The Moment" corner, where they selected this one photo for the Match Day Program.
"Focusing on that one photo changes the way you choose. There were also many things I learned myself."
Sometimes there is also the joy of receiving direct feedback from readers.
"At the stands, I received compliments from supporters and volunteer uncles saying 'Your photos this time were great!' (laughs). It was simply delightful."
When do you ask yourself when is the moment you get excited?
"It's the most exciting time when we pack up and head to the stadium. It's tough on the way back if we lose the game. Especially on away games, it's rough (bitter smile)."
He is a photographer who fights passionately together with the fans and supporters.
Continued evolution of the club seen through the finder
Spending over a thousand games with the team, I have witnessed the club's changes and evolution through the viewfinder.
"There are many memorable things, but my first impression was the homely atmosphere in Fukagawa, then moving to Kodaira Ground and the creation of Ajinomoto Stadium, which continued to grow bigger and bigger."
One unforgettable turning point was the momentum from relegation to J2.
"In 2010, during the final match against Kyoto, the supporters were waiting for the team bus to arrive at the venue and were cheering loudly. Tokyo supporters sometimes boo, but they rarely get into serious mode hours before the game like this. So I really felt like they were fighting. On the other hand, the players were very tense and I don't think they were able to do anything during the game. I will never forget that strange atmosphere."
However, the 2011 J2 season, despite its own concerns, was able to achieve promotion to J1 in just one year after facing various challenges.
"Although it's hindsight, I'll say that it was fun to be able to go to various places," he said honestly, while prefacing it with "But in hindsight."
It was also because there was an unexpected development waiting for us afterwards.
"The flow from winning the Emperor's Cup that year to qualifying for the AFC Champions League was amazing. The Club World Cup also became a goal and it suddenly brought the world closer. There was such a big change in just two years. I feel like the clubs that are seriously aiming for titles in J1 have transformed. When I went to Niigata City Athletics Stadium in 1999, I never imagined that this team, this club would become what it is now."
Live in the moment
What fascinates photographer Hikaru ARAI himself is the sense of presence in the stadium, and the range of emotions.
"From the intense expressions of Amaral and Lucas during the game, to their smiles after scoring and at the end of the game. I also thought Yohei KAJIYAMA's play was superb. There were ups and downs in each game (bitter smile). That's why I wanted to see them play outside of Tokyo, so I went all the way to Greece to take photos. At Naoto's retirement ceremony, I even shed tears. Kazunori YOSHIMOTO, who retired the other day, also had a lot of emotions in many ways. There were tough times, but that's what makes it memorable. I went to Shizuoka to take photos at his retirement ceremony, and even though we fought against each other as enemies, we were able to take photos together as teammates. It really made me realize once again how amazing soccer is."
Every day, the attachment to it only grows stronger.
"In the current team, during goal moments, player Higashi gathers everyone with a "Come on!" and runs to the circle of joy, while Ryo always gets there early (laughs)"
The desire to capture those emotions is strong.
The era of videos is in full swing. However, I still believe that "only with one photo, can you convey the scenery and atmosphere".
That's why the current situation is also sad.
"At the final match of the 2020 season, I took a photo of Naosan coming out to the stands and interacting with the fans for the first time in a long time, and it made me realize how great this is."
While hoping for the end of the strict measures during the Corona pandemic, I concluded by reminding myself that I want to continue taking photos that capture the players' breath and the cheers from the stands.
Many people have seen Arai's photo after winning the Levain Cup.
Well well, which one is your favorite?
PHOTO SELECTION
 Photographer Arai: "It was an exciting match to capture even before it started." |
 Photographer Arai: "I remember Yuto NAGATOMO capturing the hearts of fans and supporters from his debut game. His impressive physique stood out even when he joined as a special designated player." ▽Photo of Yuto NAGATOMO taken when he joined as a special designated player  |
 Hikaru ARAI, photographer: "It was a great goal from a wonderful collaboration, but I thought the landing was "bad". I pressed the shutter without being able to honestly celebrate during the goal scene." |
 Photographer Arai: "I never thought he would shoot from here, but I quickly grabbed my camera. As soon as he shot, I was sure it would go in." |
 Photographer Arai: "I was able to capture the moment when tears fell, which couldn't be hidden behind the sunglasses used to hide his embarrassment." |
 Photographer Arai: "I was able to capture the moment when HANYU, who was confident of victory, and the fans and supporters celebrating together. It's a moment where I can press the shutter with a good feeling." |
 Photographer Arai: "It was a day where I could strongly feel the determination of the entire team to get promoted together." |
  Photographer Arai: "When the ball flew to CACA in the last play, I thought 'it's coming!' CACA's inability to hide his frustration was particularly impressive." |
 Photographer Arai: "The away atmosphere in the ACL is unique. I remember feeling the whole stadium filled with excitement." |
◇Kenichi Arai Official Cameraman Profile
In 1999, he started his career as a freelance sports photographer.
Official cameraman for FC Tokyo since 2002.
I have been shooting FC Tokyo's official games for about 20 years.
Text = Yu Fujiwara
Text by Yu Fujiwara
Photo = Kenichi Arai
Photo by Kenichi Arai
