Junya Itō


Junya Itō is a Japanese professional footballer who plays as a winger or a forward for Belgian Pro League club Genk and the Japan national team.
𝕏 ItouJkyIG itoujunya0309

Club career

Early club career

After attending Kanagawa University for four years, Itō first became a Special Designated Player for Ventforet Kofu, and obtained a new contract with the J1 League side. His first professional season attracted attention from Chiba-based Kashiwa Reysol, which signed him in January 2016.
On 31 January 2019, Itō moved from Kashiwa Reysol to Genk on a one-year loan. On 18 September, he made his Champions League debut as a starter in the group stage match against Red Bull Salzburg. On 30 March 2020, Itō signed permanently with Genk on a three-year contract.

Stade Reims and return to Genk

On 29 July 2022, Itō joined Ligue 1 club Reims. On 23 October, he scored the winner in a 2–1 victory against Auxerre. In the 2023–24 Ligue 1 opening game on 12 August 2023, Itō scored a stunning opening goal against Marseille, but Reims eventually lost 2–1. In August 2025, following his club's relegation from Ligue 1 in the 2024–25 season, Itō returned to Genk and signed a three-year contract.

International career

Itō made his Japan national team debut in 2017. He was selected for Hajime Moriyasu's final World Cup squad in October 2022.

Controversy

Adultery and sexual assault allegations

On 31 January 2024, Shukan Shincho reported that police had launched an investigation into Itō following a criminal complaint filed by two women alleging that he had engaged in sexual misconduct with them while they were intoxicated at a hotel in Osaka without their consent after a match for Japan against Peru in June 2023.
In response to this report, the Japan Football Association decided on February 1 to withdraw Ito from the ongoing 2023 AFC Asian Cup after considering Ito's physical and mental condition.
On 1 February, Itō filed a criminal complaint against the two women with the Osaka Prefectural Police for filing false complaints. On 19 February, he filed a lawsuit against the two women at the Osaka District Court, claiming that their sponsorship contracts were terminated due to false complaints and demanding 200 million yen in damages.
The case was transferred to the Tokyo District Court in May and both Itō and the women were referred to prosecutors in July. On 9 August, prosecutors dropped both charges against Ito and Ito's countersuit on his accusers, citing lack of evidence.

Career statistics

International

No.DateVenueOpponentScoreResultCompetition
111 September 2018Panasonic Stadium Suita, Suita, Japan3–03–02018 Kirin Challenge Cup
212 October 2018Denka Big Swan Stadium, Niigata, Japan2–03–02018 Kirin Challenge Cup
330 March 2021Fukuda Denshi Arena, Chiba, Japan8–014–02022 FIFA World Cup qualification
430 March 2021Fukuda Denshi Arena, Chiba, Japan10–014–02022 FIFA World Cup qualification
511 June 2021Noevir Stadium Kobe, Kobe, Japan1–01–0Friendly
611 November 2021Mỹ Đình National Stadium, Hanoi, Vietnam1–01–02022 FIFA World Cup qualification
716 November 2021Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex, Muscat, Oman1–01–02022 FIFA World Cup qualification
827 January 2022Saitama Stadium 2002, Saitama, Japan2–02–02022 FIFA World Cup qualification
91 February 2022Saitama Stadium 2002, Saitama, Japan2–02–02022 FIFA World Cup qualification
1020 June 2023Panasonic Stadium Suita, Suita, Japan3–04–12023 Kirin Challenge Cup
119 September 2023Volkswagen Arena, Wolfsburg, Germany1–04–1Friendly
1212 September 2023Cegeka Arena, Genk, Belgium4–24–22023 Kirin Challenge Cup
1317 October 2023Noevir Stadium Kobe, Kobe, Japan2–02–02023 Kirin Challenge Cup
145 September 2024Saitama Stadium 2002, Saitama, Japan5–07–02026 FIFA World Cup qualification

Honours

Genk
Reims
Individual