Since arriving in Australia in 2003, freelance writer Taka Uematsu has been writing about A-league and the Socceroos on various platforms.
Since Australia joined the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), Mr Uematsu has watched every Japan-Australia matches at the stadium, except for one match due to the COVID pandemic.
He gave insight into the changing demands and expectations of Japanese players in Australia, and how Australia and Japan can come together to have a greater presence at the World Cup.
Ben Maxwell is a Japan-based podcaster, creating content about the J-League and the Samurai Blues in English for over a decade.
Originally from the small town of Benella in Victoria, Mr Maxwell has been living in Japan for over 20 years now.
As a frequent spectator of FC Tokyo games, Mr Maxwell was drawn to the unique atmosphere of J-League stadiums and soon became immersed in J-League.
However, information on the league in English was very limited at the time and gave podcast a try.
Today, hundreds including foreign nationals living in Japan tune in and listen to The J-Talk Podcast.
He has seen many Australian players come and go in the J-league, and says the league is well-established, where young Australian players can "test themselves, prove themselves and maybe get the dream move to Europe".
Follow ”Football: A bridge between Japan and Australia" on the SBS Radio App, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts to have episodes delivered straight to your device.
