Photo/Illutration Junya Ito (Asahi Shimbun file photo)

The Japan Football Association said on Feb. 2 that Junya Ito will leave the national team, which is currently competing in the AFC Asian Cup in Qatar, following sexual misconduct allegations that arose from an incident in Osaka in June. 

The online news site Daily Shincho reported that Ito, 30, who belongs to French club Stade de Reims, has been accused of sexual misconduct against two women.

The JFA announced on Feb. 1 that Ito would withdraw from the national team, citing, “consideration for his mental and physical conditions.”

But the association said on Feb. 2 that it would temporarily put the decision on hold.

Masakuni Yamamoto, the JFA national team director, said in an interview in Doha on Feb. 1 that after the announcement of Ito’s withdrawal, other players sought to keep him on the team.

Yamamoto said he then checked the opinions of all the players and also discussed the matter with senior JFA officials.

He added that following discussions with head coach Hajime Moriyasu and JFA President Kozo Tashima, “Our consensus was leaning toward keeping Ito on the team and we decided to reconsider.”

However, Tashima said at a news conference later on Feb. 2 that the association had decided that Ito would leave the team.

The JFA president said after learning of Ito's intention to remain with the team, he discussed the matter with legal advisors, taking sponsors into consideration. 

"It was a comprehensive decision," he said. 

The report on Jan. 31 said that Ito was suspected of getting the two women drunk at a hotel in Osaka in June and engaging in sexual acts with them without their consent.

According to investigative sources, Ito is criminally accused by the women of the allegations, while his side in turn filed a criminal complaint against them for suspicion of false accusation on Feb. 1.

The Osaka prefectural police have accepted complaints from both sides and are currently conducting an investigation.

Ito played in all three group-stage matches at the Asian Cup. Although he was benched for the round-of-16 game against Bahrain on Jan. 31, he did not appear on the pitch.

Ito said in an interview after the game, “I’ve been told not to talk about anything other than soccer.”

Moriyasu said in a news conference on the same day, “We want to examine the contents of the article and then respond to the matter.”

Japan will face Iran in the quarterfinals on Feb. 3.

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