⚽ Ryutsu Keizai University Soccer Program Hit by Drug Scandal

In a stunning development that has reverberated through Japan's higher education sports landscape, Ryutsu Keizai University, a private institution renowned for its robust athletics programs, announced the indefinite suspension of its entire men's soccer club following admissions of illegal drug use by five players. The scandal, centered around suspected marijuana consumption in the team's dormitory, underscores growing concerns about substance abuse in university athletics amid strict Japanese laws on controlled substances. This incident not only jeopardizes the futures of the involved students but also casts a shadow over one of the nation's top soccer pipelines to professional leagues.

The university, located primarily in Ryugasaki, Ibaraki Prefecture, with additional facilities in Matsudo, Chiba, has long been a powerhouse in collegiate soccer. With approximately 248 members, the club has consistently dominated the Kanto University Soccer League Division 1 and secured national titles, including the prestigious All Japan University Soccer Championship. Its track record speaks volumes: over 100 alumni have progressed to J-League clubs, including Japan national team midfielder Hayasei Morita, who honed his skills there from 2014 to 2017 before joining Sporting CP in Portugal.

Prestigious Legacy Under Threat

Ryutsu Keizai University's soccer program, established alongside the university in 1965 by Nippon Express Co., Ltd., embodies the institution's commitment to sports health science and practical education. The club operates under the banner of Ryutsu Keizai University FC, which competes in regional leagues and has ambitions for J-League entry. Notable achievements include multiple Kanto League titles and strong showings in cup competitions like the KSL Ichihara Cup, where they reached the finals as recently as December 2025.

The program's success stems from a feeder system linked to Ryutsu Keizai University Affiliated Kashiwa High School, producing talents like Yoshiro Abe, the first professional graduate in 1999. In 2022 alone, 12 players signed J-League contracts, seven with J1 teams—a record at the time. This pipeline has elevated the university's profile in Japanese higher education, attracting top recruits and fostering a culture of discipline and excellence. However, the recent drug scandal threatens to tarnish this reputation, prompting questions about oversight in large-scale athletic departments.

Chronology of the Ryutsu Keizai University Soccer Drug Incident

The events unfolded rapidly in late February 2026, highlighting vulnerabilities in dormitory living and peer dynamics common in Japanese university sports clubs:

• Early February 2026: Rumors circulate within the team about potential drug use.
• February 24: External tip received by university officials regarding specific students' involvement. Consent-based urine tests administered to multiple members; one tests positive for cannabis metabolites.
• February 25-26: Interviews conducted; five players admit to using what they recognized as marijuana, specifically in liquid form (vaping), at the Ryugasaki dormitories.
• February 27: University consults Ibaraki Prefectural Police.
• February 28 (early morning): Police execute house searches on two dorms under the Narcotics and Psychotropics Control Law and Cannabis Control Act suspicions.
• March 3: University holds emergency press conference; indefinite suspension announced for the entire club.

This step-by-step escalation reflects proactive internal handling before police intervention, a contrast to some past cases where cover-ups prolonged damage.

Official Response from University Leadership

President Naoto Katayama led the March 3 press conference in Chiba, bowing deeply in apology. "We sincerely apologize to the local community and our students for the great concern and inconvenience caused," he stated, emphasizing the betrayal of trust. Coach Yuji Nakano, who mentored alumni like Morita, expressed profound disappointment but committed to supporting unaffected players' mental health through counseling.

The university's official statement on its website (view here) details the indefinite activity halt, individual player suspensions, and ongoing internal probes. No decision on disbandment has been made, unlike Nihon University's American football team in 2023. Sequential hearings with psychological support are underway for all 248 members to prevent contagion.

Police Probe into Procurement and Extent

Ibaraki police are investigating under Japan's stringent drug laws, where cannabis possession alone carries up to five years imprisonment. The players reportedly used cannabis-infused vape liquid, a trend among youth evading traditional smoking detection. Authorities are tracing procurement sources, amid national rises in youth cannabis arrests—over 2,000 annually since 2014, half under 30.

No arrests yet, but voluntary interviews continue. This mirrors patterns in prior university cases, where group use in dorms amplified scope.

Immediate Repercussions for Team and Careers

The suspension halts all training, matches, and recruitment, derailing spring league preparations. Innocent players face uncertainty, potentially losing scholarships or pro trials. The five implicated risk expulsion, barring J-League drafts— a devastating blow given the program's 100+ pro alumni.

Financially, the university absorbs costs for testing and counseling, while reputationally, sponsorships from logistics firms tied to its founding may waver. Locally in Ryugasaki, community ties strained as the team embodies regional pride.

Drug Trends Shadowing Japanese Higher Education Sports

Japan's zero-tolerance stance on drugs stems from post-WWII laws, with cannabis classified alongside heroin despite global shifts. University surveys reveal alarming attitudes: one-third of students believe cannabis is procurable daily, and 1-in-12 have witnessed use. Arrests among 20-somethings hit records in 2021, surging post-pandemic.

Athletic departments, with senpai-kohai hierarchies, foster peer pressure. Vaping liquids bypass scents, appealing to athletes fearing physical detection.

Parallels with Prior University Athletics Scandals

This echoes Nihon University's 2023 American football debacle: dorm cannabis and amphetamines led to three arrests, team disbandment after third-party probe revealed ignored warnings. Kindai University soccer's 2020 five-player cannabis case prompted police reports but no dissolution. Senshu University's 2025 ice hockey incident highlights recurrence.

• Nihon: Cover-up allegations, coach dismissals.
• Kindai: Club self-reports, minimal long-term damage.
• Lessons: Early testing, anonymous reporting vital.

Ryutsu Keizai's transparency may mitigate fallout.

Governance Challenges in Expanding Sports Programs

Large clubs like RKU's strain supervision—248 members across dorms demand robust protocols. Cultural factors: group loyalty discourages whistleblowing. Universities balance competitiveness with welfare, amid MEXT (Ministry of Education) pushes for ethical athletics.

For global context, Japan's programs rival U.S. NCAA pipelines but lack NIL deals, heightening pro pressure.

Pathways to Prevention and Rehabilitation

Effective countermeasures include:

• Mandatory random drug testing (quarterly urine/hair).
• Workshops on drug risks, using real alumni stories.
• Counseling integration via sports health departments.
• Anonymous apps for tips, reducing hierarchy barriers.

RKU, with its sports science faculty, could pioneer AI-monitored dorms or peer educator programs. Rehabilitation for users: therapy over punishment aligns with constructive higher ed ethos.

Outlook: Rebuilding Trust and Talent Pipeline

While disbandment looms if more cases emerge, RKU's history suggests resilience. Lift suspension post-probe, with reforms, could strengthen the program. Broader implications: MEXT may mandate nationwide audits.

Aspiring athletes: Focus on discipline; explore academic opportunities in Japan or higher ed sports roles. Parents/students: Prioritize programs with transparent policies. Rate professors and courses at Rate My Professor for informed choices.

This scandal, though painful, offers a chance for Japanese higher education to fortify athlete support, ensuring soccer remains a launchpad, not a liability.

Photo by Alex Rerh on Unsplash