NEWS

Daishiro Nelson Yoshimura, the first Japanese-Brazilian to play in the old Japan Soccer League, joined the Japan Football Hall of Fame along with five others on Wednesday.

The others inducted were former Japan international Hiroshi Ochiai, who played in 260 matches for Mitsubishi Heavy Industry in the JSL; former FIFA referee Toshio Asami; Dr. Nozomu O’Hata, known for his great contribution in the development of sports medical science in Japanese football; 1964 and 1968 Olympic team defender Ryozo Suzuki; and football journalist Hiroshi Kagawa.
Yoshimura, known as Nelson Yoshimura, inspired Japanese football with his talent, particularly his attacking skills.
The native of Sao Paulo played for Yanmar as a midfielder from 1967, combining well with Japan striker Kunishige Kamamoto. He helped the first division side win the Emperor’s Cup three times and the non-professional JSL – the forerunner of the J. League – four times, including the double in 1978. Yoshimura played in 189 matches in the league, scoring 30 goals and setting up 54 for his teammates before retiring in 1981.
In 1970, Yoshimura obtained Japanese citizenship and played for the national team in 101 matches – including 46 international A games – and scored 10 goals.
After hanging up his boots, he coached Yanmar as an assistant (1981-89) before taking the helm there from 1990 to 1994, creating the foundation for J. League club Cerezo Osaka. He passed away in 2003 at the age of 56.