is a Japanese professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for Women's Super League club Aston Villa and the Japan national team.
Career
Club Okuma started her professional career in 2022 at the women's football club JEF United Chiba Ladies that competes in the WE League, a top tier competition of women's association football in Japan. In 2024, she joined INAC Kobe Leonessa, which was the first WE League champion team in the 2021–22 season. Her team were runners-up in the 2024–25 season and winner in 2025–26 season.
In 2026, Okuma signed with Women's Super League club Aston Villa W.F.C. in England. In her first game with Villa on 5 September 2026, she had the most saves − of nine − of any goalkeeper in the opening matches of the 2026–27 WSL season, which earned her a headline "Unbeatable Okuma." She was declared "Player of the match" in a 1−1 draw against Chelsea F.C. By then, Villa had lost all 12 of their previous WSL games against Chelsea. Sky Sports reported it as a "historic point [for Villa] at Stamford Bridge."
International In June 2024, she took part in the Sud Ladies Cup in France with Japan. Okuma was part of the Japan squad that won the 2025 SheBelieves Cup and the 2026 AFC Women's Asian Cup.
Career statistics
Club
+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competitionClubSeasonLeagueNational CupLeague CupOtherTotalDivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsJEF United Chiba2022–24WE LeagueStats not availableINAC Kobe Leonessa2024–26Nadeshiko LeagueStats not availableAston Villa2026–27Women's Super League500010–60Career total5000100 0 60
International
+Appearances and goals by national team and yearNational teamYearAppsGoalsJapan202440202540202620Total100
References
External links Akane Okuma at Inac-kobe.com Akane Okuma at JFA.jp