Tokyo and Buenos Aires. Except for the times when Kitayama-san (Mr. KITAYAMA Tomonori) visited Japan, our main route of communication was through international phone calls. With the spread of the Internet, we eventually started to communicate through e-mails and internet phones.

We first met in 1984. It was when I visited Buenos Aires to cover Club Atletico Independiente, which was scheduled to play in the Toyota Cup in Tokyo. Many people involved in the Japanese football community had met with Kitayama-san during the 1978 FIFA World Cup Argentina, but I did not have the chance to meet with him in that occasion.

When I first visited his company’s office, Kitayama-san welcomed me as if we were long-time friends and entertained me with his nonstop jokes.

He always wore his trademark sunglasses and spoke with a strong Hiroshima dialect that never seemed to stop. I was overwhelmed by his strong character at first. But, after seeing how he treated his employees without any distinction, and the way the employees looked up to him like a father figure, I started feel that he was a trustworthy person.

“Taking good care of others.”

That should have been the basis of a person named Kitayama Tomonori.

He was born in 1947 at Toyoshima (currently Kure city), Hiroshima, as the second son of a mandarin orange farmer. While at Takushoku University, he joined the “Brazil Study Society” and dreamed of traveling out to the world at an early age. After graduating university in 1970, he travelled around North America to South America and ended up settling in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

When he first arrived in Buenos Aires, he successfully started a business in the fishing industry, but it did not last long. In June 1976, he established a new company named “Toshin,” which mainly operated as a shipping company. In Chinese characters, “Toshin” means “moving east.” His company name showcased his strong and youthful spirit, as he dreamed of spreading his business towards east and eventually conquering Japan.

His company started from a small room in an old building, but eventually got on track to expand their business into the travel industry, and opened a bookstore and a sport shop. The company is currently a medium-sized enterprise with an office located at the heart of the city with 50 employees.

While his company grew bigger, Kitayama-san’s basic principle remained to “take good care of others.” Regardless of their race, he always hired people based on their personality, chose the right person for the right position, and gave guidance to them with great enthusiasm. That is why it is not surprising to see many of his former employees being successful in various fields.

In 1977, just after half a year since starting his business, he was offered his first job with the Japan Football Association. His job was to negotiate with a prestigious club from Argentina, Club Atletico Independiente, who was scheduled to make a tour to Japan.

It was then where he met the late Mr. Julio GRONDONA, who had just been appointed as the club president of Independiente a year ago. Mr. Grondona saw through the honest and sincere personality of Kitayama-san and placed 100% trust on him. In 1979, Mr. Grondona was appointed as the president of the Associacion del Futbol Argentino (AFA), and it did not take long time until Kitayama-san gained the trust over the South American football community through his work with the AFA.

The reason why he was able to earn the trust is clear. Kitayama-san always took great care of others. Although there had been tough times negotiating with the South American football community, Kitayama-san never spoke only for the Japanese side, but always took in consideration of the South American side. That is why everyone was able to reach an agreement at the end, saying that “we will consent with “Kita”!”

Putting yourself in the opponent’s shoes and taking good care of others… Isn’t that what “respect” is all about? Contrary to his “appearance” (Sorry Kitayama-san!), he had a sensitive and affectionate heart, where he would be distressed by seeing a child’s tears. That is why he always prioritised the emotional connection with others.

He passed away on 18 June 2019, at the age of 72. As I give my deepest sympathies to him, I cannot help thinking that I wish to inherit his respectful spirit to always “take good care of others.”

Written by OSUMI Yoshiyuki (Football Journalist)

*This article was originally posted on the Japan Football Association Newsletter, “JFAnews,” July 2019 edition.

Japan Football Association Newsletter “JFAnews”

The Japan Football Association Newsletter “JFAnews” contains all the information on the Japan National Team, and all the events hosted by the JFA. Tournament results and team information throughout the nation are also available. The official monthly magazine is a must read for coaches, referees, and all members of the football family.

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