Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Born in Japan · Nationality Japanese — Sport / football / entrepreneurship
Documented profile covering 18 controversies, including “Controversy over Nanjing Massacre: initial support for denialist claim, correction, then renewed caution” and “Controversial remarks about Russia's invasion of Ukraine and NATO's responsibility”.
Profile No. 0327 · Updated on 12 October 2026
§ Legal statuses reflect the documented sources as of the date shown; they replace neither court decisions nor the presumption of innocence. Counts are not a rating. Methodology
2018–2026
Honda has challenged the requirement to follow the traditional coaching licence pathway for years. His stated candidacy to manage Japan in 2026 without a Pro Licence reignited considerable controversy.
Last verified: 21 August 2026
2026-01
Honda described the US operation against Venezuela as an example of "power play" that could provide an advantage in negotiations, prompting criticism concerning sovereignty and human rights.
Last verified: 21 August 2026
2026-08
Honda linked images or information about migrants attempting to reach Ceuta to the forthcoming 2030 World Cup, using wording some considered inappropriate or insensitive to the human situation.
Last verified: 21 August 2026
2026-08
Honda wrote that referees at Kanto league level were "like this" and maintained that their standard was low, prompting criticism concerning respect for referees and his understanding of the rules.
Last verified: 21 August 2026
2026-03
Honda stated that he hoped Iran would be able to participate in the 2026 World Cup. He subsequently announced that an American company had suspended a planned advertising campaign with him because of that position.
Last verified: 21 August 2026
2025-08
Honda shared a video minimising or denying the Nanjing Massacre and indicated that he shared that view. After consulting historical sources, he acknowledged having been mistaken, before subsequently adopting a more cautious stance, saying the issue was difficult to determine conclusively.
Last verified: 21 August 2026
2023-01
Honda considered ramen priced at 730 yen too cheap, argued that many sectors needed to raise prices and said he would pay 2,000 yen next time, prompting debate about wages and purchasing power.
Last verified: 21 August 2026
2023-01
Honda questioned why an employee had not asked whether he wanted a bag and suggested that staff could sense he did not need one. Thousands of responses criticised that expectation.
Last verified: 21 August 2026
2022-02–2022-03
Honda published a series of messages calling for consideration of ways to avoid war and suggesting that Ukraine's NATO membership or certain concessions should be discussed, prompting criticism of being accommodating towards Moscow.
Last verified: 21 August 2026
2021-10
Honda told those who merely criticised the national team without taking action to "keep quiet for a bit", prompting debate about the legitimacy of criticism by supporters and media.
Last verified: 21 August 2026
2020-12
Honda left Botafogo before the planned end of his commitment while the club was battling relegation, prompting accusations that he was abandoning the team at a critical time.
Last verified: 21 August 2026
2020-12
At the end of his time at Botafogo, Honda held a farewell gathering with players and staff, and images showing them without masks prompted criticism while COVID-19 was circulating widely in Brazil.
Last verified: 21 August 2026
2020-04
Honda wrote that the government could not save everyone and should prioritise helping certain people, wording accused of dangerously ranking the value of lives.
Last verified: 21 August 2026
2020-05
Honda argued that children who hated homework should not necessarily have to do it, prompting debate about education, effort and autonomy. Exchanges with his critics became heated.
Last verified: 21 August 2026
2015–2019
Honda and his group took sporting and managerial control of SV Horn with the ambition of making it a European platform. The project encountered sporting and financial difficulties and local tensions before the Japanese management withdrew.
Last verified: 21 August 2026
2016-10
Honda criticised Milan supporters for booing and abandoning the team as soon as results deteriorated, negatively comparing Italian supporter culture with other environments.
Last verified: 21 August 2026
2015-10
Honda publicly criticised Milan's leadership, coach, management, media and club environment, calling for structural change.
Last verified: 21 August 2026
2012-08
Honda said he understood a South Korean player's gesture claiming Dokdo/Takeshima as an expression of love for his country and suggested that Japanese people might not be patriotic enough, amid a highly sensitive diplomatic situation.
Last verified: 21 August 2026
No documented link with another published profile for now.
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