Yusuke Araki (Japanese: 荒木 友輔, Hepburn: Araki Yusuke; born 2 May 1986) is a Japanese football referee who has been listed on the FIFA International Referees List since 2017.
 Araki in November 2021 | |||
| Born |
2 May 1986 Ōme, Tokyo, Japan | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Domestic | |||
| Years | League | Role | |
| 2016–present[1] | J1 League | Referee | |
| International | |||
| Years | League | Role | |
| 2017–present | FIFA listed | Referee | |
Career
editBorn in May 1986 in Ōme, Tokyo, Araki began his refereeing career in the lower divisions of Japanese leagues,[2] ascending to the top-tier J1 League in 2016.[1] One year later, he was named a FIFA-listed international referee.[3] Araki's most prominent refereeing roles in Japanese football include two Japanese Super Cups, including the 2021 and the 2023 editions.[3] In December 2025, he was named as Referee of the Year by the Japan Football Association.[4]
In the international stage, Araki has overseen matches at different competitions, including youth tournaments like the 2018 AFC U-16 Championship in Malaysia,[5] the 2022 AFC U-23 Asian Cup in Uzbekistan,[6] and the 2023 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Argentina.[7] Other tournaments include the Men's football competition at the 2019 Summer Universiade in Italy,[3] the 2023 AFC Asian Cup in Qatar,[8] and the 2025–26 AFC Champions League Elite.[3]
Araki refereed qualification matches for the 2026 FIFA World Cup and was chosen as Japan's representative for the tournament to be held in Mexico, the United States, and Canada. His assistant referee will be fellow Japanese official Jun Mihara.[9]
In 2018, Araki signed a contract as a professional referee.[2]
Outside refereeing
editAraki played football during his school years between 1993 and 2005.[2] He graduated in 2010 from the Faculty of Letters of the Hosei University.[2]
References
edit- 1 2 "OFICIAL| El colegiado japonés Yusuke Araki, árbitro del Japón-España". Royal Spanish Football Federation (in Spanish). 16 July 2021. Retrieved 11 April 2026.
- 1 2 3 4 "荒木友輔氏、山内宏志氏とプロフェッショナルレフェリー契約を締結". Japan Football Association (in Japanese). 22 February 2018. Retrieved 11 April 2026.
- 1 2 3 4 "Introducing Referees". Japan Football Association. 2026. Retrieved 11 April 2026.
- ↑ "2025 JLeague Awards". JLeague.jp (in Japanese). 11 December 2025. Retrieved 11 April 2026.
- ↑ "AFC U16 Malaysia" (PDF). AFC. 2016. p. 59. Retrieved 11 April 2026.
- ↑ Minh, Lé (12 June 2022). "Trọng tài Nhật Bản lần đầu thổi trận đấu của U23 Việt Nam". Znews.vn (in Vietnamese). Retrieved 11 April 2026.
- ↑ "Argentina 2023: Flying Eagles Edge Dominican Republic 2-1 in Mendoza". Arise News. 22 May 2023. Retrieved 11 April 2026.
- ↑ "Uzbekistan fight back to book spot". Qatar Tribune. 23 January 2024. Retrieved 11 April 2026.
- ↑ "サッカーW杯審判員に日本から2人選出 荒木友輔主審と三原純副審". The Nikkei (in Japanese). 10 April 2026. Retrieved 11 April 2026.