Q, First, please tell us about your 2021 season with Nagoya Grampus.
A, It's not that I couldn't play in the matches, and we were always in the top positions in the league and even had a good competition with Kawasaki Frontale in the early stages. We also competed in the ACL, so the team was doing well. However, personally, it wasn't a satisfying season for me. As I played more in the midfield, I had mixed feelings of personal emotions and fighting for the team. I think the reason I couldn't play in the center-back position anymore was because the results didn't come when I played there. It was a year with a lot to think about.

Q, During your time at Cerezo Osaka, you played under coach Lotina and formed a solid defensive partnership with Matej Jonjic. On the other hand, when you transferred to Grampus, it was a challenge to understand that there were rivals like Yuichi Maruyama and Shinnosuke Nakatani in the same position.
A, My time at Cerezo was very fulfilling, but I wanted to challenge myself by changing the environment, not just playing in matches. At Grampus, I had a strong desire to take the position from the two established regulars, but the priority was to change the environment first. With the mindset of winning the competition, I started on the bench at the beginning of the season and occasionally played as a center-back. I was able to handle it without getting too down, and since I transferred to a team that was already established, I understood the situation. In that situation, the situation changed when Maru-san (Maruyama) got injured, and I started playing more as a defensive midfielder instead of a center-back. I had a similar experience during my time at Cerezo, but it may be a luxurious dilemma because I can still play in matches, but honestly, there was some conflict there.

Q, Kimoto is a player who can play at a high level as a center back or defensive midfielder, but his true desire is to compete as a defender, isn't it?
A, That desire is very strong. It's true that I feel my limits as a defensive midfielder, but as a center back, I can show my strengths and I still have the desire to grow. In terms of age, I want to compete as a center back from here on. During the time when Lotina was the coach, I experienced playing as a center back, and it gave me a lot of new skills. That era became the foundation for me as a player.

Q, How did you feel when you received an offer from Tokyo?
A, I didn't expect to receive an offer, so I felt very grateful. With the new coach, Albert PUIG ORTONEDA, I think the way we play, focusing on positioning and the ball, is important. I also think it's an environment where I can challenge myself and grow. So, I have the desire to give it my all and take on this challenge once again.

Q, Did you talk to coach Albert before? What was your impression at that time?
A, He was a very cheerful person and a good talker. I thought he was different from coach Lotina, even though they are both foreign coaches. He also said, "He (coach Lotina) has a completely opposite personality (laughs)." I was very nervous, but he also told me to "smile more (laughs)." As for soccer, he said, "He values the ball, so I think I can grow more."

Q: What are your impressions of Tokyo's offense and defense so far?
A: Speaking of the offense, there are definitely impactful attackers. Not only foreign players, but also Japanese players like Kensuke NAGAI, who is a senior from Fukuoka University, leave a diverse impression. As for the defense, Masato MORISHIGE is definitely a player who embodies the style I aspire to and there are many things I want to learn from him.

Q, What aspects of Morishige as a center back are you interested in?
A, First of all, in terms of building up the attack, he can make long kicks and short passes. In terms of defense, he uses his head a lot to defend. I think that's a style that I want to learn from and aspire to. When it comes to actually forming a partnership, I don't have a specific image yet, but he is definitely a talented player, so I may also rely on him a lot, but I definitely want to form a good partnership.

Q, Morishige is a versatile type, and like Kimoto, he also had opportunities to play as an anchor. However, both of them give the impression of being the mainstream type of center back in modern football.
A, That's right. Coach Albert also told me, "Center backs have more time to handle the ball." In that sense, I think it will be difficult for the opponent if we can play the ball from both center backs. In addition to Morishige, there are also young and good center backs in the team, so I want to win the competition there.

Q: By the way, the name of Ryo Nagai, your senior in college, came up. Are there any other players you have a connection with?
A: Actually, there is no one at all (laughs).

Q, Do you really jump into a zero-base place? (laughs)
A, Yes, it's a challenge including that (laughs). By the way, when I transferred to Grampus, Yoichiro KAKITANI also came from Cerezo, but there were no other players who were close to him. Personally, I don't think jumping into an unfamiliar environment suits me. I'm not the type to proactively approach others, but I transferred from Nagoya to Tokyo this time. It's contradictory (laughs).

Q, Player Kimoto has won cup titles during his time at Cerezo and Grampus, but he has not yet experienced winning the league. Tokyo itself is in the same position. Please tell us about your thoughts and aspirations towards winning the league.
A, Winning a title is an irreplaceable and unforgettable experience in my football career, no matter when it is achieved. The desire to experience winning the league title, which I have not yet achieved, is very strong. I really want to accomplish that here in Tokyo.

Q, By the way, does Kimoto watch overseas soccer or other J-League matches?
A, I don't watch overseas matches that much. I have been watching J-League matches a lot since my student days. The players I liked were Urawa Reds' Yuji ABE and Ryota MORIWAKI. After entering Fukuoka University, I started watching Reds' soccer a lot because Misha-san (Mihailo PETROVIC, current Consadole Sapporo coach) was in charge at that time, and it was very attacking and interesting. Moriwa player is a player who is very good at attacking participation even though he is a defender, and I also liked attacking even though I was a defender, so I watched him. Abe player is a player with high quality in both defensive midfield and center back positions, and I have been watching him thinking that he is a player with a style that I want to aim for, just like Morishige player. Also, I respected his attitude of fighting for the team.

Q, I will start my life in Tokyo for the first time, after living in my hometown Shizuoka, Fukuoka during my university days, and then Osaka and Nagoya. I have conquered major cities, haven't I? (laughs)
A, Now that I think about it, yes, it's true (laughs). Honestly, I have nothing but anxiety about living in Tokyo. I like the slow atmosphere that flows in Shizuoka, and that's where I feel most comfortable. Even when I go to the city, I live while feeling that atmosphere. Although I will be going to the capital of Japan, I'm not particularly good with crowds, so I wonder how things will turn out (laughs).

Q, Depending on the impact of the coronavirus, there is a possibility that the 2022 season will have relaxed restrictions on spectators, and a large number of fans and supporters will return to Ajinomoto Stadium in Tokyo. Although it used to be a stadium visited as an away team, are there any aspects of playing at Ajinomoto Stadium that you are looking forward to?
A, I had heard before that the number of spectators in 2019 was amazing, and when I played as a member of Cerezo, the matches were played with a lot of people in a great atmosphere. The matches between Tokyo and Cerezo at Ajinomoto Stadium often became interesting battles tactically because they were teams led by Kenta HASEGAWA and LOTINA. I have fond memories of it being a fight where each team's characteristics were displayed. This time, I want to play in a match at Ajinomoto Stadium as a home team and have it be a sold-out game as soon as possible.

Q, What do you want Tokyo fans and supporters to see in you?
A, As a player, I think I'm a modest type, but I have always had a strong desire to contribute to the team, so I want them to see that even in a supporting role. In terms of playing, my aerial battles are my weapon. I especially want them to pay attention to my defensive battles, as I am good at them. On the other hand, heading in attack has been a challenge for me since 2017, as I haven't been able to score goals. I want to improve on that. Mori Shige has been scoring goals every season, so I want to learn from him as well. Also, during my time at Grampus, I couldn't show it much, but I would love for them to see my passing from the backline.

Q, and in the context of your football career, it seems meaningful to compete here as a center back.
A, yes, I want to challenge as a center back, and on the other hand, I also have a strong feeling that if I don't get results here, it will be the end. I want to do it with a sense of crisis.

text by YUKI NISHIKAWA