TAIPEI EAST POWER and the Tokyo Great Bears formally entered a strategic partnership in 2025 and have continued to deepen their cooperation in club operations, technical exchange, and fan culture. With the 2026-27 season about to begin, the two teams are taking their partnership a step further: Tokyo Great Bears outside hitter TOZAKI Takahiro will join TAIPEI EAST POWER on a limited-period transfer and become an important part of the team in the new season.

Standing 191 cm tall, TOZAKI Takahiro was born in Tokyo, Japan, and graduated from Komazawa University. In his professional career he has played for Toray Arrows Shizuoka and VC Nagano, teams in Japan's top-tier V.League (now the SV League), and later moved to the Indonesian league with Jakarta BNI46, building up extensive international experience.

After joining the Tokyo Great Bears in the 2022 season, TOZAKI quickly secured a place in the team's rotation and was named match MIP (Most Impressive Player) several times during the 2023-24 season, showing consistent attacking firepower and all-round skills. During the 2025-26 season he joined Thai powerhouse Diamond Food Fine Chef on a limited-period transfer, captaining the team to the league runners-up spot and being named the league's best outside hitter, making him one of the most impressive attackers of that season.

It is worth noting that TOZAKI Takahiro came to Taiwan with the Tokyo Great Bears last year for TPVL warm-up matches, where his all-round play at both ends drew the attention of fans and earned him match MVP honors. This limited-period signing, made possible through the joint efforts of the TAIPEI EAST POWER and Tokyo Great Bears clubs, marks a new stage of player exchange in the two teams' strategic partnership.

Ahead of coming to Taiwan to take on a brand-new season, TOZAKI Takahiro said:

"First of all, I am very happy to have the chance to take part in Taiwan's league.

When I came to Taiwan for the exchange matches last year, I felt the warmth and friendliness of the people here very deeply, so being able to play in such a wonderful place is a great honor for me.

I hope to connect with everyone in Taiwan through volleyball and to win the support of more fans. I will give everything I have and show the best of myself on court.

I hope you will continue to support us, and I look forward to meeting you all soon!"

The TAIPEI EAST POWER club said that TOZAKI has extensive experience in international leagues along with steady serve-receive skills, all-round play at both ends, and leadership qualities. It believes his arrival will give the team more tactical options and greater competitiveness, and it looks forward to him facing the challenges of the new season together with the team.