The JFA Mid-Term Plan for 2023-2026Japan Football Hall of Fame
JFA Hall of Fame Inductee
ASAMI Toshio
Inductees Recommended by the Committee (Special Selection)
- Born in Saitama on 3 October 1933
First plays football at Saitama Prefectural Urawa Junior High School, before enjoying a high school category victory in the National Sports Festival and victory in the All-Japan High School Tournament during his time at Saitama Prefectural Urawa High School in 1951. Also earns a winners' medal in the first All-Japan University Tournament in 1952 as a member of the University of Tokyo.
Qualifies as a Class 1 referee in 1959 and as an international referee in 1961, remaining active as a top referee both at home and abroad for more than 20 years until his retirement in 1983. Serves as a linesman at the Tokyo Olympic Games in 1964, and as a referee at tournaments including the 2nd FIFA World Youth Championship in 1979, the AFC Asian Cup, and the Asian Games. Presented with the FIFA Referee Distinguished Service Award in 1983. Referees a total of 74 JSL matches between 1965 and 1982. Appointed to the board of the JFA in 1978, and also to the board of the J. League in 1991, where he serves to stimulate and raise the level of Japanese football as a whole.
Appointed as chair of the JFA referees' committee in 1983 (and of the J. League referees' committee in 1993), where he works to make the committee a more effective organization, promote coordination with local bodies, and improve the level of Japanese football refereeing overall. Builds foundations for the training and professionalisation of young referees, with the aim of fostering "referees who can blow their whistles at the World Cup". Implements various radical measures to pave the way for future generations, with particular focus on the establishment and development of inspector and instructor systems.
Serves as member and deputy chair of the AFC Referees' Committee between 1986 and 2002, setting strict standards for the Asian refereeing system with the introduction of referees' education and physical training, and promoting greater discipline and technical ability among Asian referees. Receives the AFC Distinguished Service Award in 2002 in light of his successes. Also works to promote fair play in his role as member and deputy chair of the AFC Disciplinary Committee.
