is a Japanese professional footballer who plays as a defender for Eredivisie club AZ.
Early life Ichihara was born in Saitama, Japan.
Club career As a youth player, Ichihara joined the youth academy of Japanese side RB Omiya Ardija and was promoted to the club's senior team in 2023, where he made seventy-eight league appearances and scored five goals and helped them achieve promotion from the third tier to the second tier. Following his stint there, he signed for Dutch side AZ Alkmaar in 2026.
International career Ichihara is a Japan youth international. During January 2026, he played for the Japan national under-23 football team at the 2026 AFC U-23 Asian Cup.
Style of play Ichihara plays as a defender. Japanese magazine Soccer Hihyo wrote in 2026 that he "is a center back who combines height of 187cm with strength and skill with his feet, and leads the defensive line with exceptional leadership".
Career statistics
+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competitionClubSeasonLeagueCupContinentalOtherTotalDivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsRB Omiya Ardija2023J2 League17010——1802024J3 League31410——3242025J2 League29100—10301Total77520—10805AZ2025–26Eredivisie200010—302026–27Eredivisie100000—10Total300010—40Jong AZ2025–26Eerste Divisie60———602026–27Eerste Divisie40———40Total100———100Career total905201010945
Honours RB Omiya Ardija J3 League: 2024
AZ KNVB Cup: 2025–26 Johan Cruyff Shield: 2026
Individual J2 League Best XI: 2025 J3 League Best XI: 2024
References
External links