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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 as center backs. On the other hand, when you transferred to Nagoya Grampus, I believe you understood that you would be challenging yourself against rivals like Yuichi MARUYAMA and Shinnosuke NAKATANI, who played the same position.
A, My time at Cerezo was very fulfilling, but I wanted to challenge myself by changing my environment rather than just playing matches. At Grampus, I was strongly motivated to take the position from the two established regulars, but the main reason was prioritizing the change of environment. On top of that, I had the mindset to win the competition. At the start of the season, I began on the bench and occasionally played as a center back. I wasn’t too discouraged because I transferred to a well-established team, so I understood the situation. Then, when Maru-san (MARUYAMA) got injured, the situation changed, and I started playing more as a defensive midfielder rather than a center back. I had a similar experience at Cerezo, and although I was able to play matches, which might be considered a luxury problem, I honestly had some internal conflict about that.

Q, Kimoto is a player who can perform at a high level both as a center-back and as a defensive midfielder, but your true feeling is that you want to compete as a defender, right?
A, That feeling is very strong. Honestly, I feel my limits when playing as a defensive midfielder, but as a center-back, I can show my strengths and still believe I can grow further. Considering my age, I want to compete as a center-back from now on. I experienced playing as a center-back under Coach LOTINA, and I feel that period greatly expanded my skill set and became the foundation of my career as a player.

Q, How did you feel when you received the acquisition offer from Tokyo?
A, I never expected to receive an offer, so I felt very grateful. With the new appointment of Albert PUIG ORTONEDA as the manager, I think the style of play values both positioning and ball control, so I saw it as an environment where I could challenge myself and grow. I have the strong desire to take on the challenge here once again with full commitment.

Q, I heard you had a chance to talk with Coach Albert. What was your impression at that time?
A, He was a very cheerful and talkative person. Even though he is also a foreign coach, I felt he was different from Coach LOTINA. He himself said, "My personality is the complete opposite of his (Coach LOTINA) (laughs)." I was very nervous, but he also told me, "Smile more" (laughs). Regarding football, he said, "Since it's a style that values possession of the ball, I think you can grow even more."

Q, What are your impressions of Tokyo's offense and defense so far?
A, Speaking of offense, the powerful attackers certainly make an impact. Of course, there are foreign players, but Japanese players like Kensuke NAGAI, my senior from Fukuoka University, also give a diverse impression. As for defense, I think Masato MORISHIGE is a player who embodies the style I aim for, and there are many aspects of him that I want to emulate.

Q. As a fellow center back, what aspects of Morishige-san catch your attention?
A. First, in terms of building up attacks, he can deliver both long kicks and short passes. Defensively, he gives the impression of using his head very well to defend. I want to learn from him in both aspects and believe this is the style I should aim for. Although I don’t yet have a concrete image of actually partnering with him, he is an excellent player, so I might often be helped by him, but I definitely want to form a good partnership.

Q. Morishige is a versatile type of player, and like Kimoto, he has also had opportunities to play as an anchor. However, both of them give the impression of being the mainstream type of center backs in modern football.
A. That's right. Albert PUIG ORTONEDA also said, "Center backs will have more time handling the ball." In that sense, if both center backs can distribute the ball, it will make it more difficult for the opponents. Besides Morishige, there are also young and good center backs on the team, so I want to win the competition there.

Q, By the way, you mentioned your senior at university, Nagai. Are there any other players you have connections with?
A, Actually, there aren’t any at all (laughs).

Q, So you are really jumping in from zero base (laughs)
A, Yes, including that, it’s a challenge (laughs). By the way, when I transferred to Grampus, Yoichiro KAKITANI also moved from Cerezo together, but besides him, I didn’t have any close teammates. Personality-wise, I think jumping into an unfamiliar environment doesn’t really suit me. I’m not the type to actively start conversations myself, but this time I transferred from Nagoya to Tokyo. It’s contradictory, isn’t it? (laughs).

Q. Kimoto has won cup titles during his time with Cerezo and Grampus, but he has yet to experience winning a league championship. This is also the same situation for Tokyo itself, but could you share your thoughts on aiming for the league title?
A. Winning any title is an irreplaceable and unforgettable experience in my football career. I have a very strong desire to experience winning a league title, which I have not yet achieved. I definitely want to accomplish that here at Tokyo.

Q. By the way, do you watch overseas soccer or matches of other J-League clubs?
A. I don’t watch much overseas soccer. I have watched a lot of J-League since my student days. The players I liked were Yuki ABE and Ryota MORIWAKI from the Urawa Reds. After entering Fukuoka University, I started watching the Reds’ soccer under Misha (Mihailo PETROVIC, current Consadole Sapporo manager), and I liked it because it was very attacking and interesting. MORIWAKI, although a DF, was very good at joining the attack, and since I was also a DF and liked to attack, I watched him. ABE was a player with high quality both as a defensive midfielder and a center back, and like MORISHIGE, I have always watched him as a player whose style I want to aim for. Also, I respected his attitude of fighting for the team.

Q. You’ve lived in your hometown Shizuoka, then Fukuoka during university, followed by Osaka and Nagoya, and now you’re starting life in Tokyo for the first time. You’ve pretty much conquered the major cities (laughs).
A. When I think about it, that’s true (laughs). Honestly, I only feel anxious about living in Tokyo. I like the slow-paced atmosphere of Shizuoka, which is the easiest environment for me to get used to, and even when I went to the city, I lived while feeling that. Now I’m going to the capital of Japan, but I’m not very good with crowds, so I wonder how it will turn out (laughs).

Q. Depending on the impact of COVID-19, there is a possibility that spectator restrictions will be eased in the 2022 season, and I think many fans and supporters will return to Tokyo’s home ground, Ajinomoto Stadium. Until now, you have visited the stadium as an away team, but is there anything you are looking forward to about playing at Ajinomoto?
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 held in front of a very large crowd, creating a great atmosphere. The matches between Tokyo and Cerezo at Ajinomoto Stadium were teams managed by Kenta HASEGAWA and LOTINA, so I have the impression that the tactical battles were often very interesting. It was a match where each team’s characteristics came out, so I have very fond memories of it. This time, as a home team, I want to play in a match where Ajinomoto is filled to capacity as soon as possible.

Q. What aspects would you like Tokyo’s fans and supporters to notice?
A. I think I’m a modest type of player, but I have always had a strong desire to contribute to the team, so I want people to see that even in my behind-the-scenes role. In terms of play, my strength is aerial battles. I’m especially good at defensive duels, so I want people to pay attention to that. On the other hand, heading in attack has been a challenge since 2017 because I haven’t scored any goals, so that’s an area I want to improve. Morishige scores every season, so I want to learn from him in that regard. Also, although I wasn’t able to show it much during my time at Grampus, I’d like people to watch my passing out from the back line as well.

Q. In the context of your soccer career, it seems that competing here as a center back holds significant meaning, doesn’t it?
A. Yes, I want to take on the challenge as a center back, and on the other hand, I strongly feel that if I don’t achieve results here, it will be the end. I want to proceed with a strong sense of urgency.

text by YUKI NISHIKAWA