1. Overview
Kohei Hiramatsu, born on April 19, 1980, is a former Japanese professional footballer who primarily played as an offensive midfielder. After a professional career spanning from 1998 to 2010 with clubs like Shimizu S-Pulse, FC Ryukyu, and Fujieda MYFC, he transitioned into social welfare and business. Hiramatsu was highly regarded during his playing days, even being called up as a candidate for the Japan national football team in 2001, and was known for his distinctive playing style. Post-retirement, he has dedicated himself to establishing and managing disability welfare facilities and sports clubs for people with disabilities, alongside other business ventures, aiming to contribute to his community.
2. Early Life and Youth Career
Kohei Hiramatsu's formative years and early football development took place in his home prefecture, leading him to join the youth ranks of a prominent Japanese club.
2.1. Birth and Background
Kohei Hiramatsu was born on April 19, 1980, in Shimizu-ku, Shizuoka, within the Shizuoka Prefecture of Japan. His hometown was specifically Okitsu.
2.2. Education and Youth Football
Hiramatsu began his football journey at Shimizu FC during his elementary school years. He then progressed through the youth system of Shimizu S-Pulse, joining their junior youth team from 1993 to 1995 while attending Shimizu Okitsu Junior High School. From 1996 to 1998, he played for Shimizu S-Pulse's youth team, concurrently attending Tokoha Gakuen Tachibana High School. In 1999, he was promoted from the Shimizu S-Pulse youth team to the top professional squad, marking the beginning of his senior career.
3. Club Career
Hiramatsu's professional career was largely defined by his tenure at Shimizu S-Pulse, followed by spells at other clubs before his retirement.
3.1. Shimizu S-Pulse
Hiramatsu joined J1 League club Shimizu S-Pulse from their youth team in 1998. From the 2000 season, he became a regular fixture, playing many matches as an offensive midfielder. He was widely anticipated by supporters and even by Masaaki Sawanobori, known as "Mr. S-Pulse," to be his successor. In 2001, his talent was recognized on a national level when he was invited to a training camp for the Japan national football team candidates by then-national team coach Philippe Troussier. During periods when the team faced relegation battles, Hiramatsu often played a crucial "savior" role, exciting the stadium on multiple occasions with his performances.
During his time with Shimizu S-Pulse, the club achieved significant success, winning the 1999-2000 Asian Cup Winners' Cup and the 2001 Emperor's Cup. Despite these team achievements and high expectations, Hiramatsu frequently struggled with injuries, which affected his ability to maintain consistent performance. Consequently, his opportunities to play decreased from 2005. He ultimately decided to leave the club at the end of the 2007 season. Throughout his 10-year tenure from 1998 to 2007, he made 138 league appearances, scoring 11 goals.
3.2. FC Ryukyu and Later Career
After leaving Shimizu S-Pulse, Hiramatsu faced a period without a club, as his preference for a J1 League team did not materialize, despite offers from J2 League clubs. Following a nine-month period without a team, he joined Japan Football League (JFL) club FC Ryukyu on April 24, 2008. At FC Ryukyu, he was again highly regarded by Philippe Troussier, who was then the general manager, for his innate football sense and J-League experience, being expected to contribute significantly to the team. He played one season with FC Ryukyu, making 11 appearances and scoring 1 goal, before his contract expired in January 2009.
In October 2009, Hiramatsu joined Regional Leagues club Shizuoka FC, which later became Fujieda MYFC. He played for Shizuoka FC until 2010, then joined Fujieda MYFC in May 2010, departing in November of the same year. He formally retired from professional football at the end of the 2010 season.
4. National Team Career
Kohei Hiramatsu represented Japan at various youth levels and was considered for the senior national team. He was a member of the U-15 Japan national team in 1995 and the U-16 Japan national team in 1996. In 1999, he was part of the U-19 Japan national team. His potential was further acknowledged in 2001 when he was called up as a candidate for the senior Japan national football team.
5. Playing Style and Public Perception
Kohei Hiramatsu was recognized for his distinctive qualities both on and off the field. He possessed a unique appearance and was known for his unconventional remarks and personality. On the pitch, he exhibited a "heaven-sent" graceful playing style that captivated audiences. These attributes, combined with his status as a local player, led to a complex mixture of "love and hate" perceptions from supporters throughout his career, often drawing strong emotions. Despite this, his ability to perform as a "savior" during critical moments underscored his impact and the high expectations placed upon him.
6. Post-Retirement Activities
Following his retirement from professional football, Kohei Hiramatsu embarked on a new career path, focusing on social welfare and business ventures with a strong community focus.
6.1. Welfare and Business Ventures
From 2014 to 2018, Hiramatsu worked as an on-site staff member in a welfare facility. Building on this experience, he transitioned into management, and from 2018 onwards, he began operating disability welfare service offices and specialized sports clubs for both disabled children and adults. Expanding his commitment to social contribution, in 2023, he also ventured into restaurant management. This initiative aimed to bridge the gap between the welfare sector and other industries, providing employment opportunities and creating inclusive workplaces for people with disabilities.
6.2. Qualifications and Current Endeavors
Hiramatsu has acquired several professional qualifications to support his work in the welfare sector, including being a certified care worker, a service management supervisor, and a child development supervisor. Currently, he remains actively involved in the welfare world and continues to pursue endeavors across various other fields, demonstrating a broad engagement in social and business activities.
7. Career Statistics
Kohei Hiramatsu's professional club and international match appearances and goal records are summarized below.
| Club performance | League | Cup | League Cup | Continental | Total | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Club | League | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals |
| Japan | League | Emperor's Cup | J.League Cup | Asia | Total | |||||||
| 1998 | Shimizu S-Pulse | J1 League | 5 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 4 | 1 | - | 12 | 1 | |
| 1999 | J1 League | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | - | 4 | 0 | ||
| 2000 | J1 League | 20 | 2 | 5 | 1 | 3 | 0 | - | 28 | 3 | ||
| 2001 | J1 League | 30 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 5 | 1 | - | 37 | 5 | ||
| 2002 | J1 League | 27 | 2 | 8 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 41 | 3 | |
| 2003 | J1 League | 14 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 21 | 2 | |
| 2004 | J1 League | 27 | 2 | 7 | 0 | 1 | 0 | - | 35 | 2 | ||
| 2005 | J1 League | 8 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 4 | 0 | - | 14 | 1 | ||
| 2006 | J1 League | 6 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | - | 10 | 0 | ||
| 2007 | J1 League | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | 3 | 0 | ||
| 2008 | FC Ryukyu | JFL | 11 | 1 | - | - | - | 11 | 1 | |||
| 2009 | Shizuoka FC | Tokai 1st Division | - | - | - | |||||||
| 2010 | Fujieda MYFC | Tokai 1st Division | 4 | 0 | - | - | - | 4 | 0 | |||
| Total | 153 | 12 | 35 | 3 | 26 | 3 | 6 | 0 | 220 | 18 | ||