Our alumnus :contentReference[oaicite:0]{index=0} (32) visited his alma mater on April 16. Kubo enrolled in our school in 2009 as a youth player for :contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}. While still a student, he signed a professional contract, and after graduation he played in four countries—Switzerland, Belgium, Germany, and the United States—and was also selected for the :contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2}. He retired this March and has begun a new chapter in his life.

On this occasion, the principal served as the interviewer, and we had an in-depth conversation about his memories of his high school days at Ritsumeikan Uji, what he experienced during his 15 years overseas, and the new challenges he is taking on after retirement. We hope this will serve as an opportunity for current students to think about their own future.

Back at his alma mater after a long time

It had been a while since his graduation when Kubo set foot on campus again. His conversation with the principal began as they walked around the school.

Principal: It’s been a while. How does it feel to be back at your alma mater?

Kubo: It hasn’t changed—it's still a great school. I live in the United States now, and it somehow feels like an American university campus.

Principal: Does it resemble the U.S.?

Kubo: Yes, it does. Though in terms of how clean it is, this place is much cleaner. Kubo also looked surprised when the topic turned to the newly renovated student dormitory. Through the eyes of someone who has lived in four different countries, his alma mater seemed both nostalgic and a place of pride.

A decision at 15 — “I wanted to go out”

Kubo is from Yamaguchi City in Yamaguchi Prefecture. While in junior high school, he was scouted by the youth academy of Kyoto Sanga FC and moved to Kyoto at the age of 15, leaving his family behind. Among offers from clubs across the country, why did he choose Ritsumeikan Uji?

Principal: Coming from Yamaguchi to Ritsumeikan Uji in Kyoto—was there a particular decision behind that?

Kubo: I received offers from various places and had the chance to see both the soccer programs and the schools, but there was no school better than this one. In terms of soccer as well, the atmosphere at Sanga suited me perfectly. I had no hesitation.

Principal: So leaving your family in your first year of high school must have required some determination, right?

Kubo: Not really. I had a strong desire to go out into the world. I wanted to leave home as soon as possible, so I didn’t hesitate at all.

That desire “to go out” at the time may have become the starting point of his 15-year international career.

Days at Ritsumeikan Uji

We then asked about his memories of high school.

Principal: Looking back on your high school days, what were they like?

Kubo: They were truly hectic every day. I had to keep up with my schoolwork, and I was also playing soccer. I have so many memories at this school.

Principal: For example, what kind of memories?

Kubo: My days revolved around soccer, but I was also able to study properly, and I enjoyed it.

He also mentioned the name of his homeroom teacher at the time, Ms. Reiko Taniguchi.

Kubo: I’m glad I had Ms. Reiko. She was very understanding and seemed to be flexible with the Sanga students.

When the conversation turned to a memory of being “far and away the fastest” in the relay race at the sports festival, Kubo smiled and added:

Kubo: Well, that’s basically what we’re there for. If we didn’t stand out in those ways, we didn’t really have value. I always felt that we had to shine through sports.

His words conveyed that he had been aware, even at the age of 15, of contributing to the school through sports.

In 2013, at the age of 19, he transferred to BSC Young Boys in Switzerland. After that, he played in Belgium (KAA Gent), Germany (1. FC Nürnberg), returned to Belgium, and then moved to the United States (FC Cincinnati), playing in four countries.

Principal: You went to Switzerland right away. Switzerland isn’t an English-speaking country, is it?

Kubo: It was German. I learned from scratch and took lessons after training. Then I went to Belgium, Germany, back to Belgium, and now the U.S., so I wish I had built a stronger foundation in English. If I had studied English properly as a student, things would have been a bit easier.

“I wish I had studied more English in high school”—this also seems to be an important message he wants to convey to current students. We then asked what he gained from living overseas.

Principal: What do you think was the best thing about going abroad?

Kubo: It broadened my perspective. When I was in Japan, I only knew the Japanese world, but by going abroad, I learned that each country has its own norms and values. What we considered “normal” is not necessarily normal elsewhere—I really felt that once I stepped outside.

Principal: Do you mean in terms of soccer values?

Kubo: Not just soccer, but daily life as well—in every aspect, I felt that “what seems obvious isn’t always obvious.”

His words carried weight, coming from someone who has lived in four different countries.

The decision to remain in the United States

After transferring to FC Cincinnati in the United States in 2020, he spent six years there. After leaving the team at the end of last season, he had the option of continuing his career in Japan. However, he made a firm decision to retire.

Principal: Was it a difficult decision to bring your career as a professional footballer to an end?

Kubo: It was, but my desire to stay in the United States was stronger. Returning to Japan to continue playing was an option, but I just couldn’t choose that. Life in the U.S. has been very comfortable, including for my children, and I wanted to stay, so I made a clean decision.

He is now based in Cincinnati, Ohio, where his children attend local schools and are growing up in English. Just as he left Yamaguchi at 15 without hesitation, he has now made the decision to “stay” in the United States without hesitation.

A new challenge — Launch of the “K Project”

After announcing his retirement, Kubo has already taken his next step. He has launched a new company, “K Project (K Pro),” based in Cincinnati.

Principal: I hear you’ve started a company. What inspired you to begin?

Kubo: Having had so many experiences overseas, I wanted to do something that connects Japan with the rest of the world. For example, players who can go pro should continue on that path, but for those who can’t, I’d like to help take them to American universities or overseas opportunities.

His project is essentially a system that sends Japanese high school students to American universities using sports scholarships. It is not limited to soccer—American football, cheerleading, tennis, golf, baseball, and more are all within scope. From entry-level programs such as short-term study abroad, homestays, and junior high school soccer club exchanges, to more advanced opportunities like joining local clubs and tryouts, the aim is to provide a wide range of options.

Kubo: All of our staff are based locally, so we can provide full support on-site. We prepared a system that allows us to handle everything—from visa arrangements to travel to the U.S.—before launching. In fact, the biggest challenge is the lack of a point of contact on the Japan side. In the future, we believe it’s entirely possible for students to go through American universities and build careers as professional footballers. For students at Ritsumeikan, who value both academics and athletics, the potential is certainly there.

Hearing this, the principal leaned forward with interest. At our school as well, more students—especially in the IB course—are going on to universities in the United States, and our American football team already conducts joint summer practices with U.S. high schools. The International Center is also actively engaged in both sending and hosting study abroad students.

Kubo: It would be ideal if students from Ritsumeikan Uji could join. They have strong academic ability and are also capable in sports.

Principal: There’s a strong affinity. Our school has also been thinking about advancing new global initiatives even further.

The discussion expanded into concrete possibilities for collaboration.

To the younger students — “There is no guarantee”

Toward the end of the interview, we asked him for a message to current students. After a moment’s thought, Kubo spoke calmly but with conviction.

Kubo: When you’re here, you start to think that this daily life is normal. But it’s not something to be taken for granted. You might think things will just continue like this, but once you step outside, you realize that’s not the case. It’s important to understand that there are no guarantees—for myself included.

Principal: So it’s important to have a sense of urgency?

Kubo: Yes, in a positive way.

His words were not simply harsh. What he went on to share was the “hope” that lies beyond stepping into the world outside.

Kubo: If you go abroad, you will inevitably face differences in language and culture. But that’s also what helps you grow as a person. That’s definitely a positive.

Kubo: It would be a waste not to make use of such a privileged environment. It’s not something you come across often. I hope you’ll have the mindset of wanting to go—even right now, if possible.

As Japan faces a declining birthrate and an uncertain economic future, Kubo emphasizes the need for more people to thrive on the global stage.

In closing

From Yamaguchi to Kyoto at 15. From Kyoto to Switzerland at 19. And now at 32—not as a professional footballer, but as a bridge connecting the next generation to opportunities abroad—Yuya Kubo’s journey is entering a new stage.

Principal: We’d love to have you come back again and speak to our students.

Kubo: Of course. I’d be happy to.

As he left his alma mater, there was a sense that his long journey is far from over. Thank you, Kubo, and we at Ritsumeikan Uji will continue to support the future of the K Project.