# Koichi Hashiratani > Japanese association football player and manager **Wikidata**: [Q2522016](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q2522016) **Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Koichi_Hashiratani) **Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/koichi-hashiratani ## Summary Koichi Hashiratani is a Japanese association football player and manager who has made significant contributions to Japanese soccer both as a player and coach. He stands 178cm tall and began his professional career around 1983, representing Japan in the sport he both played and later coached. ## Biography - Born: March 1, 1961 - Nationality: Japan - Education: Kokushikan University - Known for: Association football playing and coaching - Employer(s): Affiliated with Kokushikan University - Field(s): Association football player, association football coach ## Contributions Koichi Hashiratani contributed to Japanese football as both a player and manager, bringing his expertise to the sport from both perspectives. His career spanned from at least 1983 onwards, during which he represented Japan in association football. Through his dual role as player and coach, he helped develop and advance the sport in Japan, contributing to the growth of football culture in the country. His educational background at Kokushikan University provided him with foundational knowledge that supported his career in sports. ## FAQs ### What did Koichi Hashiratani do professionally? Koichi Hashiratani was a Japanese association football player and manager. He played and coached association football, contributing to the sport in both capacities throughout his career. ### Where did Koichi Hashiratani study? Koichi Hashiratani was educated at Kokushikan University in Japan, which was founded in 1917 and located in Setagaya, Tokyo. ### When did Koichi Hashiratani begin his professional career? Koichi Hashiratani began his professional work period around 1983, according to available records of his career timeline. ### How tall is Koichi Hashiratani? Koichi Hashiratani is 178.0 centimeters tall, which is noted in his biographical data. ### What is Koichi Hashiratani's Japanese name? Koichi Hashiratani's Japanese name is ハシラタニ コウイチ, which appears in the P1814 property of his biographical data. ## Why They Matter Koichi Hashiratani matters in Japanese football because he represents the transition of the sport in Japan from amateur to more professional levels during the 1980s and beyond. His dual role as both player and manager demonstrates the evolution of football in Japan, where individuals often transitioned between these roles, contributing to the development of tactical knowledge and coaching expertise within the domestic game. His affiliation with Kokushikan University connects him to an educational institution that has been operating since 1917, suggesting a link between academic and sporting excellence in Japan. His career beginning in 1983 places him at a crucial time in Japanese football's development, when the sport was gaining more organized structure that would eventually lead to the establishment of the J-League in 1993. Through his participation in both playing and managing roles, Hashiratani contributed to building the foundation of modern Japanese football culture and helped establish pathways for others in the sport. ## Notable For • Being both an association football player and manager in Japan • Beginning his professional career in 1983, during a formative period for Japanese football • Standing 178cm tall as a football player • Being affiliated with Kokushikan University, a private university founded in 1917 • Representing Japan in association football during his playing career • Transitioning from player to management role in football • Having significant online presence with social media handles (hashiratani_koichi, koichi-hashiratani, hashira777) ## Body ### Early Life and Birth Koichi Hashiratani was born on March 1, 1961, making him part of the generation that witnessed the transformation of Japanese football from an amateur to a professional sport. His birth date places him in the post-war generation of Japanese athletes who would later contribute to Japan's growing prominence in international football. ### Education and Academic Background Hashiratani pursued his education at Kokushikan University, a private institution located in Setagaya, Tokyo, which was founded in 1917. The university has operated for over a century, providing educational opportunities in Tokyo. His affiliation with this institution connects him to an academic environment that has been part of Japan's educational landscape for generations. Kokushikan University operates not only as an educational institution but also as an academic publisher with 98 published works in academic databases, indicating a scholarly environment that may have influenced Hashiratani's approach to both playing and managing football. ### Professional Football Career Hashiratani's work period in professional football began around 1983, which was a pivotal time in Japanese football history. This period preceded the establishment of the J-League in 1993, meaning he was active during the transition phase when Japanese football was developing its professional infrastructure. As both an association football player and manager, he experienced the sport from multiple perspectives, contributing to its development in Japan from different angles. ### Physical Characteristics Standing at 178.0 centimeters tall, Hashiratani possessed physical attributes suitable for football, particularly for the era in which he played. This height would have been advantageous for various positions on the field, contributing to his effectiveness as a player. ### Dual Role in Football Hashiratani's career encompassed both playing and managing roles in association football, demonstrating versatility in his contribution to the sport. This dual experience allowed him to understand the game from both player and coach perspectives, potentially making him a valuable figure in developing football strategies and mentoring younger players. His transition from player to manager reflects a common pathway in football where experienced players contribute to the sport through coaching and management roles. ### Cultural Impact As a Japanese football player and manager, Hashiratani was part of the generation that helped establish football as a significant sport in Japan. During the 1980s, when his career began, football was competing with baseball for popularity in Japan, and figures like Hashiratani contributed to building the foundation that would support the sport's growth in the following decades. His involvement in both playing and managing roles suggests he was instrumental in developing tactical knowledge and coaching expertise within Japanese football circles. ## References 1. Transfermarkt 2. Virtual International Authority File 3. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013 4. Ameblo