Asked how confident he was that he could get the five endorsements, he replied: “I’m confident. I’ve already heard from some of the member associations and [received] Good answers so far.”
Asked if he hoped to win the election in Morocco in March, he laughed: “Of course, yes, I hope I will. It’s not easy.”
Tashima’s campaign will be based on his philosophy for the role of FIFA president, which he describes as one based on the “values of sincerity, health, fair play and integrity”.
Regarding Balog’s red card incident, in which US President Donald Trump called Infantino to ask for the ban to be reviewed, Tashima said: “I’ve never seen a red card and who can play the next game.
“I hope this never happens in world football. He did not explain this matter, how it will come and how it will happen. [it came] to happen
He added: “Mr. President Infantino has not answered most things yet.
“With more than 20 years of experience at the Japan Football Association, Asian Football Confederation and FIFA, I would like to make a good change if elected.”
Last month, former Tottenham Hotspur defender Ramon Vega announced his intention to run as a candidate in next year’s FIFA presidential election.
He told BBC Sport he had received “more than five” endorsements, but declined to give details of the identity of the member associations backing him.
All candidates must prove that they have played an “active role” in football for two of the last five years. Vega said that as a shareholder of a club, he is confident that he has the right to run for president.
Vega previously ran for the presidency three times, but each time he failed to get the necessary support from five associations.
Tashima can therefore be considered the first serious competitor to Infantino.