1. Early Life and Education
Hiroji Imamura was born on April 27, 1949, in Minakuchi-cho, Koka-gun, Shiga Prefecture (now part of Koka City), Japan. He received his education in Japan, attending Shiga Prefectural Koga High School. It was during his formative years at Koga High School that he developed his football skills, which would later lead him to a professional career.
2. Club Career
Imamura's club career was predominantly defined by his long and successful tenure with Yanmar Diesel, where he became a crucial component of one of Japan's most formidable football teams during the 1970s and early 1980s.
2.1. Yanmar Diesel Years
After graduating from high school, Hiroji Imamura joined Yanmar Diesel in 1968. He quickly established himself as a key player, occupying the position of an "unmovable right winger." In this role, Imamura became well-known for his exceptional ability to provide numerous assists to the team's prolific ace striker, Kunishige Kamamoto, forming a highly effective attacking duo. His significant contribution to the team's offensive prowess was recognized when he earned the "Assist King" title in 1975.
During his time with Yanmar Diesel, the club achieved remarkable success, winning the Japan Soccer League championship four times in 1971, 1974, 1975, and 1980. Imamura played 230 games and scored 60 goals in the league throughout his career, making him the 6th all-time leader in league appearances and 10th in goals scored. He also recorded 50 assists, ranking him 7th all-time in that category within the league. He remained with Yanmar Diesel until his retirement from professional football in 1983.
2.2. Club Statistics
The following table details Hiroji Imamura's yearly appearance and goal statistics for his club career across the Japan Soccer League (JSL), JSL Cup, and Emperor's Cup.
| Year | Club | League | Division | League Apps | League Goals | JSL Cup Apps | JSL Cup Goals | Emperor's Cup Apps | Emperor's Cup Goals | Period Total Apps | Period Total Goals |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1968 | Yanmar Diesel | JSL | - | 0 | 0 | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| 1969 | Yanmar Diesel | JSL | - | 0 | 0 | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| 1970 | Yanmar Diesel | JSL | - | 0 | 5 | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| 1971 | Yanmar Diesel | JSL | - | 13 | 13 | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| 1972 | Yanmar Diesel | JSL | Division 1 | 0 | 0 | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| 1973 | Yanmar Diesel | JSL | Division 1 | 0 | 10 | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| 1974 | Yanmar Diesel | JSL | Division 1 | 18 | 7 | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| 1975 | Yanmar Diesel | JSL | Division 1 | 17 | 0 | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| 1976 | Yanmar Diesel | JSL | Division 1 | 0 | 4 | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| 1977 | Yanmar Diesel | JSL | Division 1 | 0 | 5 | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| 1978 | Yanmar Diesel | JSL | Division 1 | 10 | 2 | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| 1979 | Yanmar Diesel | JSL | Division 1 | 18 | 7 | - | - | 3 | 2 | - | - |
| 1980 | Yanmar Diesel | JSL | Division 1 | 17 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 20 | 4 |
| 1981 | Yanmar Diesel | JSL | Division 1 | 18 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 21 | 1 |
| 1982 | Yanmar Diesel | JSL | Division 1 | 18 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 24 | 5 |
| 1983 | Yanmar Diesel | JSL | Division 1 | 17 | 3 | 4 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 25 | 5 |
| Total | 230 | 60 | - | - | - | - | - | - | |||
3. National Team Career
Hiroji Imamura also had the honor of representing his country as a member of the Japan national football team. His international career primarily took place in the mid-1970s.
3.1. International A Matches
Imamura's debut for the Japan national team in an international C match was on January 5, 1975, against Bayern Munich. His official debut for the Japan national team in an international A match occurred on August 8, 1976, when he played against India. He participated in the Merdeka Tournament in August 1976, which included three more international A matches.
His international A match appearances are detailed below:
| No. | Date | Host City | Stadium | Opponent | Result | Manager | Tournament |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | August 8, 1976 | Kuala Lumpur | - | India | Won 5-1 | Hiroshi Ninomiya | Merdeka Tournament |
| 2. | August 13, 1976 | Kuala Lumpur | - | Burma | Drew 2-2 | Hiroshi Ninomiya | Merdeka Tournament |
| 3. | August 16, 1976 | Kuala Lumpur | - | Thailand | Drew 2-2 | Hiroshi Ninomiya | Merdeka Tournament |
| 4. | August 22, 1976 | Kuala Lumpur | - | Malaysia | Lost 0-2 | Hiroshi Ninomiya | Merdeka Tournament |
3.2. National Team Statistics
Imamura played a total of four international A matches for the Japan national football team during his career, all occurring in 1976.
| Japan National Team | ||
|---|---|---|
| Year | Appearances | Goals |
| 1976 | 4 | 0 |
| Total | 4 | 0 |
4. Post-playing Career
After retiring from professional football in 1983, Hiroji Imamura remained actively involved in the sport. He served as the chairman of the Yanmar Diesel Football Club OB (Old Boys) Association, demonstrating his continued connection to his former club and its legacy. Furthermore, he dedicated his expertise to developing new talent, working as an instructor for the Hokusetsu Football Association and the Itami Youth Football Club, located in Itami City, Hyōgo Prefecture. His post-playing career reflects his commitment to nurturing the next generation of footballers and contributing to the broader football community in Japan.