The JFA Mid-Term Plan for 2023-2026Japan Football Hall of Fame
JFA Hall of Fame Inductee
NINOMIYA Hirokazu
Inductees Recommended by the Committee (Special Selection)
- Born in Hyogo on 22 November 1917
Graduates from Keio University.
Plays football at Kobe First Junior High School (now Hyogo Prefectural Kobe High School) and Keio University, becoming one of the best centre forwards in the country. Achieves victories at four tournaments with Kobe First Junior High School, including the All-Japan Junior High School Invitational Championship in 1934. Wins many titles at Keio University, including four Kanto University League titles in a row from 1937, and inspires a golden age for the Keio Football Club. Achieves the astonishing statistic of seven All-Japan Championship Tournament titles as a key player in the Keio University and Keio BRB sides both before and after the war.
Appears as player-manager at Japan's first major international tournament after the war, the 1st Asian Games in 1951 (New Delhi), winning a bronze medal. Also appears in the Asian qualifying tournament for the 1954 World Cup in Switzerland, and at the 2nd Asian Games (Manila) the same year. Later joins the Japanese national team coaching staff ahead of the Melbourne Olympic Games. Achieves great results not only as player but also as national team manager, displaying outstanding coaching abilities and working to improve the technical level of Japanese football. Appears in 5 "A" matches for the national team, scoring one goal. In addition, Ninomiya wins the Kanto University League and East-West Students' Challenge Match in 1952 as manager of the Keio University team, and the All-Japan University Championship Tournament in 1962 as general manager.
Serves variously as JFA board member and auditor, Kanto Football Association board member, Kansai Football Association board member, Japan Club Youth Football Federation (U-18) president, Japan Club Junior Youth Football Federation (U-15) president, and chairman of the board of the Japan Football Supporters' Association.
Passes away in 2000.
