NEWS

Ken Naganuma, the Supreme Advisor and former President of the Japan Football Association, passed away as a result of pneumonia on Monday afternoon at a Tokyo hospital. He was 77.

"I am greatly shocked by the news," JFA President Saburo Kawabuchi stated.

Naganuma coached the Japan team at the 1964 Olympics in Tokyo, where they reached the quarterfinals, and at the 1968 Olympics in Mexico, where they took the bronze medal.

He was appointed JFA President in 1994 and served in that post for four years, during which time he led Japan's bid to host the 2002 World Cup, which was awarded jointly to Japan and Korea Republic.

After stepping down from the presidency in 1998, Naganuma served as the JFA's Honorary President from 1998-2002 and then moved on to the position of Supreme Adviser to the sport's national governing body from 2002.

Kawabuchi said, "I've known him since I was called up for the national team when I was at a college. He was the coach and I was the player.

"When we decided to launch the J. League, while some people were still opposing our plans,
Mr. Naganuma gave us full support, so I was able to focus on our preparations. I'm grateful to him."

Kawabuchi added: "While we were bidding for the 2002 World Cup, he traveled around the world so much he would often not be home for half the year. But owing to his efforts, we were able to co-host the tournament successfully."

JFA honorary president Shunichiro Okano, who worked as an assistant to Naganuma in the 1964 and 1968 Olympics, commented: "After we started working together with the 1964 Olympic team in 1963, we spent eight years traveling around the world. That relationship lasted for another 22 years, working as president and vice-president, and honorary president and president of the JFA."

"I feel as if I've lost my brother. I don't know how to describe the shock I feel," Okano noted.

"He made great contributions to Japanese football, including bringing home the bronze medal from the 1968 Olympics in Mexico, and that will remain in Japanese football history forever."

The sad news arrived a few hours prior to the kick-off of Japan's World Cup qualifier against Oman on Monday. The Japanese players wore black armbands and the whole stadium observed a moment of silence before the kickoff.