KAZU

KAZU, the most famous and popular pro soccer player in Japan, plays F.W. for Yomiuri Verdy.

In 1982, when he was seventeen, he retired his high school and went to San Paulo in Brazil, which is the home Latin soccer, to play it. In 1986 he contracted with Santos F.C. At first, his technique wasn't accepted at all, but after a while, his labor bore fruit and he was won recognition by Brazilians. He was very active in Brazil Championship, and he contribute to the rising rank of his team. Then he improved his ability more and more. He won third place in the ranking of positions. He created a great sensation in Brazil.

In 1990 he came back to Japan. He recontracted with the Yomiuri Club for four years, and became the first player to earn one hundred million yen a year. In the same year, he was selected the best player in the Asia Cup. And in 1993 he got married to Shitara Risako who is a TV personality.

In 1994 he went to Italy. He became the first Asian player in Celia A, which is in the Italian soccer league. Then he joined to Genoa F.C. but his team had a poor record, so when the season ended, and he came back to Japan. But he became a good player more and more in Italy.

In 1998, World Cup was held in France. He has been playing soccer very hard to take part in the World Cup since his child. Unfortunately, he wasn't selected as main player for Japan. The fact made his fans very angry. Many journalists say that Japan needs his leadership and technique. People still want Kazu to continue to play soccer more actively.

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References: Gendai Nihonjinmeiroku,'94,Vol.4

Reported by: Kawashima Yukari
Data verified by: Inagaki Akiko
Date of Report: November 1995
Updated by: Fukushima Tomoko,May 1998

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