The 56-year-old former national team player made the announcement at a press conference today and hopes to represent the continent, which currently has four Executive Committee members in the form of FIFA vice-president Prince Ali Bin Al Hussein of Jordan, Asian Football Confederation (AFC) President Sheikh Salman Bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa of Bahrain, China's Zhang Jilong and Worawi Makudi of Thailand.

"What we, the Japan Football Association, and the members of Asian football family aim for has been and will always be the same; development of football," Tashima insisted.

"The development of football in Asia as a whole; this is what we should aim for.

"As one of the leading countries in Asian football, it is important for us to share the knowledge and experiences with other football families in Asia to raise the level of football as a whole."

Asia is currently represented by four FIFA Executive Committee members, including Prince Ali Bin Al Hussein ©Getty Images


He added: "That will lead to the development of football in the world as well.

"Sports, football in particular, have the power to impact our society in various aspects.

"It is our mission to promote the power of football on and off the pitch, in Asia and all over the world."

The FIFA Executive Committee consists of 15 members who are appointed by confederations and associations.

The next election will be held at the AFC Congress in 2015.

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