Kunishige Kamamoto, Japan's top national soccer team scorer, dies at 81
soccer
Kunishige Kamamoto, who scored 75 goals in 76 games for Japan's national team, died Sunday according to the Japan Football Association. He was 81 and the association said he died of pneumonia.
His 75 goals remains tops for the national team. He played on the national team from 1964 until 1977.
Kamamoto led Japan to a bronze medal in soccer at the 1968 Olympics in Mexico and scored seven goals to lead the tournament.
He also served as a member of Japan's House of Councillors, the upper house of Japan's national legislature, and also served as a vice president of the Japan Football Association.
© Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
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TOKYO - Japan football icon Kazuyoshi Miura and current manager Hajime Moriyasu have paid tribute to national team all-time top scorer Kunishige Kamamoto, who died Sunday. Kamamoto, who died of pneumonia aged 81, scored 75 goals in 76 games and remains the most prolific marksman Japan have produced. The 58-year-old Miura is second on 55 goals, followed by Shinji Okazaki's 50. "When I heard King Pele call him a 'great striker,' I was really proud as a Japanese, and I can still remember that now," Miura said, recalling his conversation with the Brazilian legend while at Santos, where he made his debut in 1986. Still going strong playing for Atletico Suzuka in the fourth-tier Japan Football League, Miura said the record left by Kamamoto has left him in awe. "He was a person who went too far for me to see as a target," said Miura, playing in his 40th professional season. "I offer my deepest condolences." Samurai Blue manager Moriyasu lauded Kamamoto, whose tournament-leading seven goals helped Japan to their best Olympics outing in 1968 in Mexico with bronze, as a source of inspiration. "He gave us a ray of hope that Japanese football can compete on the international stage," said Moriyasu, who is eagerly awaiting someone of Kamamoto's ilk. "Having such a striker is essential to be the best team in the world. I'm hoping for a player who could eventually eclipse Mr. Kamamoto to emerge."
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Kunishige Kamamoto, Japan's top national soccer team scorer, dies at 81
FILE - Japan's Kunishige Kamamoto scores a goal against the Mexican team at Mexico's Azteca Stadium on Oct. 24, 1968. (AP Photo, file) soccer Kunishige Kamamoto, who scored 75 goals in 76 games for Japan's national team, died Sunday according to the Japan Football Association. He was 81 and the association said he died of pneumonia. His 75 goals remains tops for the national team. He played on the national team from 1964 until 1977. Kamamoto led Japan to a bronze medal in soccer at the 1968 Olympics in Mexico and scored seven goals to lead the tournament. He also served as a member of Japan's House of Councillors, the upper house of Japan's national legislature, and also served as a vice president of the Japan Football Association. © Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
