Yutaka Akita

is a former Japanese football player and manager. He played for the Japan national team.

Yutaka Akita

Akita at Kyoto Sanga FC
Personal information
Full name	Yutaka Akita
Date of birth	(1970-08-06) August 6, 1970
Place of birth	Nagoya, Aichi, Japan
Height	1.80 m (5 ft 11 in)
Playing position	Defender
Youth career
1986–1988	Aichi High School
1989–1992	Aichi Gakuin University
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
1993–2003	Kashima Antlers	334	(20)
2004–2006	Nagoya Grampus Eight	57	(3)
2007	Kyoto Sanga FC	14	(0)
Total		405	(23)
National team
1995–2003	Japan	44	(4)
Teams managed
2010	Kyoto Sanga FC
2012–2013	FC Machida Zelvia
2020–	Iwate Grulla Morioka
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only

Biography

Akita was born in Nagoya on August 6, 1970. After graduating from Aichi Gakuin University, he joined J1 League club Kashima Antlers in 1993. Although he played as right side back at first, he became a regular player as center back in the 1993 season. The club won the champions in 1996, 1998, 2000 and 2001 season. In 2000, the club won all three major title in Japan; J1 League, J.League Cup and Emperor's Cup first time in J1 League history. In 2004, he moved to his local club Nagoya Grampus Eight and played in 3 seasons. In 2007, he moved to J2 League club Kyoto Sanga FC. He retired end of the 2007 season.

On October 24, 1995, Akita debuted for the Japan national team against Saudi Arabia. He played at 1996 Asian Cup. He became a regular from the middle of 1997 and at 1998 World Cup qualification in 1997, Japan won the qualify for 1998 World Cup first time Japan's history. He played at 1998 World Cup and 1999 Copa América. He played full-time in all matches at both competitions. In 2002, he was selected Japan for the first time in 3 years. He was also selected Japan for 2002 World Cup, but he did not play in the match. After 2002 World Cup, he became a regular player again under new manager Zico. On 8 June 2003, the match against Argentina is his last game for Japan. Although he was a member of Japan for 2003 Confederations Cup in June, he did not play in the match. He played 44 games and scored 4 goals for Japan until 2003.

After retirement, Akita started coaching career at Kyoto Sanga FC in 2008. In July 2010, he became a manager as Hisashi Kato successor. However the club was relegated to J2 League and he resigned end of the season. He signed with Tokyo Verdy in 2012. In November, he resigned and became a manager for FC Machida Zelvia. He was sacked in June 2013. In 2020, he signed with J3 League club Iwate Grulla Morioka.

Statistics

Club performance			League		Cup		League Cup		Continental		Total
Season	Club	League	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
Japan			League		Emperor's Cup		J. League Cup		Asia		Total
1993	Kashima Antlers	J1 League	35	0	5	2	5	1	-		45	3
1994			38	4	0	0	1	0	-		39	4
1995			50	0	4	0	-		-		54	0
1996			16	0	3	0	4	0	-		23	0
1997			21	3	5	1	2	2	-		28	6
1998			32	3	4	0	1	0	-		37	3
1999			28	2	2	0	6	1	-		36	3
2000			28	1	4	1	7	0	-		39	2
2001			29	2	2	0	6	1	-		37	3
2002			29	4	5	1	8	0	-		42	5
2003			28	1	4	1	5	0	3	0	40	2
2004	Nagoya Grampus Eight	J1 League	26	0	2	0	7	0	-		35	0
2005			19	1	2	0	0	0	-		21	1
2006			12	2	1	0	3	0	-		16	2
2007	Kyoto Sanga FC	J2 League	14	0	0	0	-		-		14	0
Country	Japan		405	23	43	6	55	5	3	0	506	34
Total			405	23	43	6	55	5	3	0	506	34

Japan national team
Year	Apps	Goals
1995	2	1
1996	2	0
1997	16	2
1998	10	0
1999	7	0
2000	0	0
2001	0	0
2002	3	0
2003	4	1
Total	44	4