Kaishu Sano

is a Japanese professional footballer who plays as a defensive midfielder for club Mainz 05 and the Japan national team.

Club career After four seasons with J2 League club Machida Zelvia, in December 2022 it was announced that Sano would be joining J1 League club Kashima Antlers for the 2023 season.

Sano appeared as starter at the beginning of the season, appearing in nine of their first ten games. In April, he picked up a knee injury which would leave him out of action for four weeks.

Mainz 05 On 3 July 2024, Sano signed for Bundesliga club Mainz 05 on a four-year contract for an undisclosed fee.

International career On 15 May 2026, Sano was selected in the 26-man squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. On 29 June 2026, Sano scored his first international goal by opening the scoreline against Brazil in the round of 32 of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Personal life Sano is the elder brother of fellow professional footballer Kodai Sano.

Controversies On 17 July 2024, following Sano's transfer to Mainz, it was reported that he was arrested along with two other co-suspects under suspicion of sexually assaulting a woman who had earlier dined with the three men after the woman's friend had left for home. He was released on 29 July, and prosecutors decided not to indict him on 8 August.

On 5 June 2025, he was selected for the Japan national team for the third round of the 2026 FIFA World Cup Asian qualifiers, scheduled to be held on 10 June, marking his return to the squad. At a press conference, head coach Hajime Moriyasu stated, "I have been observing him all along, and after personally reaching out to him, I strongly felt that he is truly remorseful." He continued, "When we consider each team member as part of a family, I asked myself—as a coach facing an individual player—whether we should simply cast someone out of society or the football world for making a mistake. I decided it would be better, as a family, to give him a path to try again." Sano also held a press conference on 28 June, where he offered a direct apology in his own words.

International

Japan score listed first, score column indicates score after each Sano goal.

Honours Individual IFFHS Asian Men's Team of the Year: 2025