JFA Hall of Fame Inductee

YOSHIMURA Daishiro Nelson

Selected Inductees

Born in Sao Paulo Brazil on 16 August 1947

The first Japanese-Brazilian to play in the Japan Soccer League (JSL).
Joins Yanmar Diesel in 1967, where he inspires the team with his delicate touch and technique. His passing abilities make him an ideal foil for forward Kunishige Kumamoto, who is rapidly emerging as a leading player at the time. Helps Yanmar to their first ever titles in the 1968 Emperor's Cup All-Japan Championship Tournament and in JSL Division 1 in 1971, and leads the league in assists in 1972. Leads the team to the greatest era in their history, with four JSL Division 1 titles and three Emperor's Cup crowns (including a league-and-cup double in 1978) before announcing his playing retirement in 1980. Plays in a total of 189 JSL matches, scoring 30 goals and recording 54 assists. Named in the annual best XI on four occasions.

Aside from his career at Yanmar, Yoshimura takes Japanese citizenship in 1970 and goes on to contribute to the Japan national team. His valuable technical qualities allow him to play a leading attacking role as a committed member of the team for the next seven years. Yoshimura's aesthetically pleasing play shows the nation that "even Japanese players" are capable of demonstrating the individual skills of Brazilian football. This serves as a major source of encouragement as Japanese football leans more towards the Brazilian style in later years. Retires with a Japanese national team record of 101 appearances (46 in "A" matches) and ten goals (seven in "A" matches). Becomes a coach after his retirement, and works hard to support the development of Japanese football in areas such as youth training and talent spotting.

After serving as a coach from 1981 to 1989, becomes manager of Yanmar between 1990 and 1994, and builds the foundations for what would become Cerezo Osaka.
Passes away in 2003.

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  TAKADA Shizuo
• OKUDERA Yasuhiko