Kozo Tashima says he will rely on his “samurai spirit” as he attempts to become the first serious challenger to Gianni Infantino in the Fifa presidential election.
The 68-year-old must first secure endorsements from five member associations before he can stand in the election, which will take place in Morocco in March.
Tashima, honorary president of the Japan Football Association and a member of the Fifa Council, said he had received “good replies” from some of the associations he had approached since announcing his intention to run.
Infantino has led Fifa for a decade and told BBC Sport last month that he believed he had the support of the “vast, vast majority” of world football.
Tashima recognises the scale of the task but says he wants to deliver “good change” at football’s world governing body. In an exclusive interview with BBC Sport, he said he was motivated by recent decisions involving Infantino, including the cancelled suspension of United States forward Folarin Balogun at the World Cup and the abandoned proposal to sell stakes in the World Cup to private investors.
“I know [Infantino] has a lot of supporters,” Tashima said. “Now I am alone and my budget is not enough but it is OK. My policy, my philosophy, I have to fight against him with my samurai spirit.”
He said his aim was to protect the game and improve governance within Fifa.
“I would like to make sure that the game of football is safeguarded and to be loved and enjoyed by everybody. We have to review the system in Fifa and build good governance.
“In the uncertain situation of the world, sports – especially football – can present good values like fair play, co-operation, hard work, integrity, and show the model of the society. So, first to review and rebuild good governance and make football accessible for all with the principle of football first.”
Asked whether he was confident of securing the required endorsements, Tashima replied: “I have confidence. I already asked to some of the member association and [received] good replies so far.”
He laughed when asked whether he genuinely believed he could win, before answering: “Of course, of course yes, I hope I will win. It is not easy.”
Tashima said his campaign would be based on “the values of sincerity, soundness, fair play, and integrity”.
On the Balogun red-card incident, which saw US President Donald Trump call Infantino to request a review of the ban, Tashima said: “I have never seen the red card and the next game who can play.
“This is, I hope, never happens in the world football. He didn’t explain about this issue, how to come and how [it came] to happen.”
He added: “Most of the things are not answered yet by Mr President Infantino.”
Tashima, who has more than 20 years of experience with the Japan Football Association, Asian Football Confederation and Fifa, said: “I would like to bring good change if I am elected.”
Former Tottenham Hotspur defender Ramon Vega announced last month that he intended to stand. Vega said he had received “more than five” endorsements but did not identify the associations involved.
Candidates must have played an “active role” in football for two of the last five years. Vega believes he qualifies as a club shareholder, having previously failed three times to gain the five endorsements required.
Tashima is therefore regarded as the first serious challenger to Infantino.
