The Kwansei Gakuin University quarterback who was injured by a dirty tackle from behind by a Nihon University (Nichidai) American football team linebacker returned to the field on May 27, playing from the second quarter of a game against Kansai University in Suita City, Osaka Prefecture.

QB Kosei Okuno was injured in a May 6 game against Nichidai, and his injuries were diagnosed to require three weeks to heal. Okuno started training early last week, and Kwansei Head Coach Hideaki Toriuchi mentioned the possibility of him playing again soon at a press conference on May 26.

After the May 27 game, Okuno told reporters that the tackle against him was "a play that usually does not happen." The QB nevertheless encouraged the Nichidai linebacker to keep playing. "I hope he will return to the field and play honorably against us," Okuno said.

The dirty tackle incident and Nichidai's handling of the case have attracted nationwide criticism including a reprimand from Japan Sports Agency Commissioner Daichi Suzuki. More than 100 journalists representing some 30 media organizations came to cover the QB's return to action, indicating a high level of public interest in the case.

Nichidai head coach Masato Uchida and coach Tsutomu Inoue resigned after the May 6 game, but they denied their linebacker's allegation that they instructed him to carry out the dirty tackle. A third party panel being established by Nichidai will investigate the case, and the victim's family has filed a complaint with police. The family has also launched a signature-collection drive to seek lenient treatment of the Nichidai player.