Mike Havenaar
A towering Japanese striker of Dutch descent who carved a unique path as a goal-scoring journeyman across Asia and Europe.
Born 1987 (age 39)·Japanese footballer·Birthday: May 20·Millennials
Biography
Mike Havenaar stands as a fascinating outlier in Japanese football history. Born to a Dutch father and Japanese mother, his 6'5" frame made him an immediate physical anomaly on the pitch in Japan. His career was a global odyssey, defined by a search for the right fit for his classic target-man style. After early years in the J.League, he found his scoring touch at Ventforet Kofu, becoming a fan favorite and earning a call-up to the Japanese national team—a significant achievement for a player of his mixed heritage. His success opened doors to Europe, with spells in the Netherlands, Czech Republic, and England's second tier. While he never became a global star, Havenaar's presence challenged stereotypes about Japanese players. He proved that the Samurai Blue could field a potent aerial threat, and his professional journey demonstrated the expanding pathways for Japanese talent seeking to make their mark abroad.
Millennials
1981–1996
The first digital natives. Grew up with the internet, came of age during 9/11 and the 2008 crash. Highly educated, deeply indebted, slower to marry and buy houses. Redefined work, identity, and what it means to be an adult.
Mike was born in 1987, placing them squarely in the Millennials. The events that shaped this generation — the internet revolution, 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Mike Was Born
The biggest hits of 1987
#1 Movie
Three Men and a Baby
Best Picture
The Last Emperor
#1 TV Show
The Cosby Show
Mike's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1987Born
Black Monday stock market crash
Gas: $0.90/galHome: $72,400Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Walk Like an Egyptian" — The BanglesBest Picture: The Last Emperor
1992Started school
LA riots after Rodney King verdict
Gas: $1.13/galHome: $84,300Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"End of the Road" — Boyz II MenBest Picture: Unforgiven
2000Became a teenager
Y2K passes without incident; contested Bush-Gore election
Gas: $1.51/galHome: $119,600Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Breathe" — Faith HillBest Picture: Gladiator
2003Could drive
US invades Iraq; Human Genome Project completed
Gas: $1.59/galHome: $146,000Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"In Da Club" — 50 CentBest Picture: The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
2005Could vote
Hurricane Katrina devastates New Orleans; YouTube launches
Gas: $2.30/galHome: $167,500Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"We Belong Together" — Mariah CareyBest Picture: Crash
2008Turned 21
Barack Obama elected first Black US president; financial crisis
Gas: $3.27/galHome: $153,100Min wage: $6.55/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Low" — Flo RidaBest Picture: Slumdog Millionaire
2017Turned 30
#MeToo movement; solar eclipse crosses the US
Gas: $2.42/galHome: $195,000Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"Shape of You" — Ed SheeranBest Picture: The Shape of Water
2026Age 39 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Earned 18 caps for the Japan national football team, scoring 4 goals, including one in FIFA World Cup qualification.
- Won the J.League Division 2 scoring title in 2011 with 17 goals for Ventforet Kofu, propelling them to promotion.
- Played professional football in five different countries: Japan, Netherlands, Czech Republic, England, and Thailand.
Did You Know?
His father, Dido Havenaar, was also a professional footballer who played as a goalkeeper for the Japanese club Yamaha Motors (now Júbilo Iwata).
He holds the record for the tallest player to ever represent the Japan national team.
He scored on his debut for the Japan national team in a 2012 friendly against Iceland.
“My height is a tool, but I had to learn how to use it everywhere.”
