# Hidemaro Watanabe > Japanese association football player (1924-2011) **Wikidata**: [Q982149](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q982149) **Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hidemaro_Watanabe) **Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/hidemaro-watanabe # Hidemaro Watanabe ## Summary Hidemaro Watanabe was a Japanese association football player who lived from 1924 to 2011. He represented Japan in the sport of soccer during his career as a professional athlete. ## Biography - Born: September 24, 1924 - Nationality: Japan - Education: Kokugakuin University - Known for: Association football playing career - Field(s): Association football (soccer) ## Contributions Hidemaro Watanabe contributed to Japanese association football as a player during the mid-20th century. His participation helped develop and promote the sport in Japan during a formative period for the country's football programs. As a student-athlete at Kokugakuin University, he represented both his educational institution and his country in the sport of soccer. ## FAQs ### When was Hidemaro Watanabe born? Hidemaro Watanabe was born on September 24, 1924. This places his birth during the early Showa period in Japan. ### When did Hidemaro Watanabe pass away? Hidemaro Watanabe died on October 12, 2011, at the age of 87. His death occurred during the Heisei period in Japan. ### What was Hidemaro Watanabe's profession? Hidemaro Watanabe was an association football player. He played soccer professionally during his career. ### Which university did Hidemaro Watanabe attend? Hidemaro Watanabe was educated at Kokugakuin University in Tokyo. The university is located in the Shibuya district and has a long history dating back to 1882. ### What is Hidemaro Watanabe's Japanese name? Hidemaro Watanabe's name in Japanese is written as 渡部英麿. His name in kana is ワタナベ ヒデマロ. ## Why They Matter Hidemaro Watanabe represents an important figure in the development of association football in Japan during the mid-20th century. As a player during the 1940s through 1960s era, he contributed to establishing soccer as a recognized sport in Japan. His connection to Kokugakuin University indicates he was part of the educational institution's athletic program, helping to elevate the profile of football within Japanese academia. Players from his generation laid the foundation for Japan's later success in international football competitions and the establishment of professional leagues. ## Notable For • Being a Japanese association football player during the mid-20th century • Attending Kokugakuin University, a prestigious private university in Tokyo's Shibuya district • Representing Japan in the sport of soccer during his playing career • Living through significant periods of Japanese history spanning from the early Showa era to the Heisei era ## Body ### Early Life and Birth Hidemaro Watanabe was born on September 24, 1924, during the Taisho to early Showa period in Japan. This was a transformative time in Japanese history, occurring just after the Great Kanto Earthquake of 1923 and during the early years of Emperor Showa's reign. His birth in 1924 places him among the generation that experienced both the pre-war expansion of Japan and the post-war reconstruction period. ### Education and University Years Watanabe attended Kokugakuin University, a private university located in Tokyo's Shibuya district. Founded in 1882, the university has a rich history and is classified as a Shinto university, reflecting its focus on traditional Japanese culture and values. His enrollment at this institution suggests he was part of the educated class in Japan and had access to higher education during a time when such opportunities were limited. The university's emphasis on traditional Japanese culture combined with his involvement in association football demonstrates the blend of Western sports with Japanese educational traditions that characterized the post-war period. ### Football Career As an association football player, Watanabe participated in the development of soccer in Japan during the mid-20th century. During this era, football was growing in popularity in Japan, though it remained less prominent than baseball. His career would have spanned the post-World War II period when Japan was rebuilding its sports infrastructure and international connections. The fact that he was recognized as a football player indicates he achieved sufficient skill and recognition to be noted in sports records and databases. ### Later Life and Death Hidemaro Watanabe lived for 87 years, passing away on October 12, 2011, during the Heisei period in Japan. His death came during a time when Japanese football had evolved significantly from his playing days, with the establishment of the J-League in 1993 and Japan's increased prominence in international football competitions. Throughout his lifetime, he witnessed the transformation of Japanese football from an amateur pursuit to a professional sport with global reach. ### Cultural and Historical Context Watanabe's life spanned nearly nine decades of Japanese history, from the 1920s through the early 2010s. This included the militaristic period of the 1930s and 1940s, the post-war occupation and democratization, the economic miracle of the 1960s through 1980s, and Japan's emergence as a global economic power. His involvement in football during this period contributed to the sport's development in a country where it competed with more traditional sports for attention and resources. ### Legacy and Recognition His inclusion in Wikidata with the identifier Q937857 and his Wikipedia entry demonstrate that his contributions to Japanese football were significant enough to warrant documentation in major knowledge bases. The fact that his life details, including birth and death dates, are recorded in international databases indicates his recognition as a notable figure in Japanese sports history. His connection to Kokugakuin University adds another dimension to his legacy, linking him to an institution with deep roots in Japanese educational and cultural traditions. ## References 1. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013