Hisao Kuramata

3.1. Club Career

After graduating from Nippon Sport Science University in 1981, Hisao Kuramata joined Nippon Kokan Soccer Club, which later became known as NKK. From his first year with the club, he became a regular starter, quickly establishing himself as an integral part of the team. During his tenure with Nippon Kokan/NKK, he achieved significant success. The club won the Japan Soccer League (JSL) Division 2 championship twice, in 1981 and again in 1983. In 1981, Nippon Kokan also secured their first-ever Emperor's Cup, a major achievement for the club. Kuramata further contributed to the team's success by helping them win the JSL Cup in 1987. He played for the club until 1992, marking the end of his professional playing career.

3.2. National Team Career

Hisao Kuramata's performance at the club level earned him recognition on the national stage. In 1982, he was selected as a member of the Japan national football team. Although he was part of the national squad, he did not make any appearances in international A-matches during his time with the team.

3.3. Playing Statistics

Hisao Kuramata's official match appearances and goal-scoring records during his playing career are detailed in the table below.

In addition to the above, Kuramata also appeared in five matches with no goals in the Konica Cup in 1990.

4.1. Early Coaching Roles

His coaching career began in 1993 when he joined NKK SC as an assistant coach. However, the club was disbanded at the end of that season. Consequently, Kuramata moved to Tokyo Gas Soccer Club, the predecessor of FC Tokyo, in 1994. His transition to Tokyo Gas was facilitated by a close operational relationship between NKK and Tokyo Gas, allowing him to be seconded while formally remaining affiliated with NKK. By the end of 1994, he was promoted to head coach under manager Kiyoshi Okuma. This coaching partnership, featuring Okuma and Kuramata, persisted for seven years until Okuma's departure at the end of 2001, spanning the club's evolution into FC Tokyo as a professional entity. In 2002, he maintained his role as head coach under new manager Hiromi Hara, thereby ensuring continuity within the team. He was widely regarded as an indispensable presence behind the scenes. In 2004, Kuramata further enhanced his coaching credentials by acquiring the JFA S-class coaching license.

4.2. FC Tokyo Youth and Senior Teams

In 2006, Kuramata transitioned from his head coach role with the senior team to become the manager of FC Tokyo U-18 (under-18 team) from February to August, focusing on youth development. However, his tenure there was short-lived as he was appointed interim manager of the FC Tokyo senior team in August 2006, following the dismissal of Alexandre Gallo. He took charge from the 18th match week of the J1 League season, tasked with stabilizing the team. Under his leadership, FC Tokyo successfully secured its J1 League status for that season. He resigned from the managerial position at the end of the year in December 2006.

From January 2007 to 2011, Kuramata was reappointed as the manager of FC Tokyo U-18. During this period, he also served as the Deputy Head of Youth Development from 2010. He implemented a coaching philosophy that emphasized intense pressing from the front, leading the U-18 team to achieve strong results in various competitions. Notably, they won the J-League Youth Championship (J-Youth Cup) in 2007 and 2009, and the Prince Takamado Cup U-18 Football League Prince League Kantō in 2008, 2009, and 2010. His work was instrumental in developing and promoting numerous players to the FC Tokyo senior team. In 2010, his expertise in youth development was recognized when he was selected to manage the U-18 J-League Select team in a friendly match against the Japan High School Football Select team, held as part of the FUJI XEROX SUPER CUP. After his successful stint as U-18 manager, he assumed the role of Head of Youth Development for FC Tokyo in 2012.

4.3. University Coaching

In 2013, Hisao Kuramata returned to his alma mater, Nippon Sport Science University, to take over as manager of its football club, succeeding Masaichi Suzuki. The team competed in the Kantō University Football League. Kuramata's coaching philosophy at the university level focused on rapid transitions between offense and defense and an emphasis on hard work. In 2013, his first year, the team achieved a commendable runner-up finish in the Tokyo Soccer Tournament. He managed the Nippon Sport Science University team until 2014.

In 2015, Kuramata was appointed manager of the Rikkyo University football club. Here, he prioritized fundamental techniques in his coaching, working towards rebuilding the team to achieve a return to the Kantō University League. His efforts bore fruit in 2017, his third year at Rikkyo, when the team achieved promotion back to the Kantō University League after a 41-year absence, following a hard-fought promotion playoff. In 2020, he transitioned from manager to assume the role of General Manager for the Rikkyo University football club.

4.4. Managerial Statistics

The table below presents Hisao Kuramata's official match management records for various teams and competitions.

Note: Kuramata assumed the FC Tokyo managerial role from the 18th match week in 2006. The values in parentheses represent the season total.

5.1. As a Player

With Nippon Kokan Soccer Club (NKK), Kuramata secured several important titles:

• Japan Soccer League Division 2: 1981, 1983
• Emperor's Cup: 1981
• JSL Cup: 1987

5.2. As a Coach

As manager of FC Tokyo U-18, Kuramata led the team to multiple youth championship victories:

• Japan Club Youth Football Championship (U-18): 2008
• J-Youth Cup: 2007, 2009
• Prince Takamado Cup U-18 Football League Prince League Kantō: 2008, 2009, 2010
• Sanix Cup International Youth Soccer Tournament: 2007
• Igyora Cup: 2006