Shunichiro Okano was a prominent Japanese football player and manager who made significant contributions to the sport from the 1950s onward.
He played for the Japan men's national football team in 1955, participating in two international matches.
Okano was awarded the prestigious Order of the Rising Sun, 3rd class, for his contributions to Japanese football.
Biography
Early Life
Shunichiro Okano was born on August 28, 1931, in Taito, Tokyo, where his family operated a well-established confectionery shop in the Ueno district. During World War II, his family fled to Gunma Prefecture to escape American air raids, but Okano chose to remain in Tokyo to continue his education. He enrolled at the University of Tokyo in April 1949, where he joined the university's football club, marking the beginning of his journey in football.
Playing Career
Okano's football career took off when he played as a forward for the Japan national team in 1955. He made his mark by participating in two international matches that year. His university team achieved a significant milestone by winning the first national university championships in 1953, showcasing his talent and dedication to the sport.
Coaching Career
After graduating in psychology in March 1957, Okano furthered his football education in West Germany. He returned to Japan and took on the role of coach for the national team, assisting under manager Ken Naganuma and serving as an interpreter for German coach Dettmar Cramer. Under his guidance, Japan secured a bronze medal at the 1968 Summer Olympics, a historic achievement that led to the team's induction into the Japan Football Hall of Fame in 2018. Okano later became the head coach and managed the team during the 1970 Asian Games. After a brief resignation following the team's failure to qualify for the 1972 Olympics, he continued to contribute to football administration, serving as the executive director of the Japanese Olympic Committee and later as the president of the Japan Football Association from 1998 to 2002. Okano was honored with several awards, including the Order of the Rising Sun and the Silver Olympic Order, recognizing his contributions to Japanese football. He passed away from lung cancer on February 2, 2017, at the age of 85, leaving behind a legacy of dedication to the sport.
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Career & Clubs
Okano was born in Taito, Tokyo on August 28, 1931. His parents ran a well-established confectionery shop in Tokyo’s Ueno district. During the war his family escaped from the American air raids to Gunma Prefecture, but Okano stayed to attend a high school. In April 1949 he enrolled to the University of Tokyo and joined a football club there. In 1953 his team won the first national university championships. In 1955, he was selected Japan national team. He played 2 games for Japan in 1955.
In March 1957, Okano graduated in psychology from the Faculty of Letters, and in early 1961 spent three months in West Germany to train as a football coach. Upon return he was appointed as a Japan national team coach under manager Ken Naganuma, he also served as an interpreter for German coach Dettmar Cramer. In 1968 Summer Olympics, Japan won the bronze medals. In 2018, this team was selected Japan Football Hall of Fame. In 1970, he was promoted to the manager as successor Naganuma. He managed at 1970 Asian Games. However, at 1972 Summer Olympics qualification in 1971, following Japan's failure to qualify for 1972 Summer Olympics, Okano resigned. In October 1974 he joined the Japan Football Association (JFA). Soon after that he became executive director of the Japanese Olympic Committee (JOC); in 1977 he was appointed as its general secretary and in 1989 as its executive director. In September 1990 he became a member of the IOC, and in 1995 of the FIFA Olympic Tournaments' Organizing Committee. He also served as 9th president of JFA (1998-2002) and 1st president of East Asian Football Federation (2004-2006). In 2005, Okano was selected Japan Football Hall of Fame. Okano died from lung cancer on 2 February 2017 at a Tokyo hospital. He was 85.
- Club
- Japan men's national football team (1955–1955)
- National team
- Japan
Trophies & Awards
- Award
- Order of the Rising Sun, 3rd class
- Award
- Person of Cultural Merit
- Award
- Silver Olympic Order
Clubs
- Japan men's national football team1955–1955
Archive
Passport
Identifiers & aliases
Shunichiro Okano was a Japanese football player and manager. He played for Japan national team as a forward. He also managed Japan's national team.
Opinions of fans — not verified facts.
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