hiː ɪz ˈɔːlsoʊ nˈoʊn fɔːɹ hɪz ˈɛksələnt ˈækjʊɹəsi ˌɔn fɹˈiː kˈɪks ænd ɪz ɹᵻvˈɪɹd æz wˈʌn ʌv dʒəpˈænz mˈoʊst kɹiːˈeɪɾɪv mˈɪdfiːldɚz æz wˈɛl æz wˈʌn ʌvðə mˈoʊst tˈæləntᵻd dʒˌæpənˈiːz fˈʊtbɔːlɚz ænd plˈeɪmeɪkɚz ʌv hɪz dʒˌɛnɚɹˈeɪʃən, ðɪs dᵻspˈaɪt ˈoʊnli plˈeɪɪŋ dəmˈɛstɪkli ɪn hɪz hˈoʊm kˈʌntɹi.
He is also known for his excellent accuracy on free kicks and is revered as one of Japan's most creative midfielders as well as one of the most talented Japanese footballers and playmakers of his generation, this despite only playing domestically in his home country.