Takeshi Okada resigned after saying the Japanese football body’s response to recent FIFA World Cup-related controversies conflicted with his personal principles.

Takeshi Okada, vice president of the Japan Football Association (JFA), has resigned over the organisation’s response to controversies surrounding the FIFA World Cup, saying its position was at odds with his belief that sport must be conducted with integrity.

The JFA announced on Wednesday that Okada’s resignation took effect on October 24, bringing his tenure to an end before its scheduled completion.

In a statement released through the association, Okada said he had carefully considered his decision and could not accept the organisation’s responses to the recent controversies as a sportsman.

“Throughout my career I have treasured the social value of sport based on my conviction that sport must be conducted with integrity,” he said.

He acknowledged that aligning Japan’s position with that of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) could have practical advantages, given the relationship between the two organisations and the potential impact on Japanese football.

However, he said the approach taken over the World Cup-related issues differed significantly from his own beliefs.

The resignation comes amid wider debate over FIFA President Gianni Infantino’s leadership and the governing body’s handling of major football-related matters.

A week before the announcement, AFC President Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa expressed support for Infantino’s bid for re-election as FIFA president. Infantino, who has led FIFA since 2016, is seeking another term in the election scheduled for March 2027.

The support followed controversy over a proposed FIFA commercial venture involving private investment in the governing body’s premium competitions, including the World Cup. The plan drew criticism from football organisations, including the AFC, UEFA and CONCACAF, before it was abandoned.

Okada’s statement did not identify every specific decision that prompted his resignation. However, Japanese media reports linked his departure to the JFA’s position on FIFA and its alignment with the AFC.

The 70-year-old is a former Japan national team coach who led the country at the 1998 World Cup in France and the 2010 tournament in South Africa.

His departure highlights tensions between institutional alliances in international football and concerns about governance, transparency and the principles that should guide the sport.

The JFA has not announced a successor in the statement confirming his resignation.