1. Overview
Satoshi Okura (大倉 智Ōkura SatoshiJapanese, born May 22, 1969) is a former Japanese association football player and a prominent sports executive. Beginning his career as a forward for clubs such as Kashiwa Reysol, Júbilo Iwata, and Brummell Sendai, Okura later transitioned into sports management. He pursued studies in sports management at the Johan Cruyff Institute in Barcelona, Spain, and subsequently held significant leadership positions at Cerezo Osaka, Shonan Bellmare, and currently as the representative director of Iwaki FC. Throughout his career, Okura has been a proponent of the "industrialization of sports" and aims to establish clubs that serve as a true model for broader societal impact.
2. Early Life and Education
Satoshi Okura's formative years laid the groundwork for his future in football, combining both academic and athletic pursuits from a young age through his university studies.
2.1. Childhood and Youth
Born in Tokyo, Japan, on May 22, 1969, Satoshi Okura spent his early childhood in Kawasaki City, Kanagawa Prefecture. His football journey began at a young age, playing for Yuri-ga-oka Children SC while attending Kawasaki City Minami Yuri-ga-oka Elementary School. He continued his youth football at Kawasaki City Nagasawa Junior High School. In 1985, he enrolled at Gyosei Junior and Senior High School, where his talent became evident. During his time at Gyosei, Okura participated in the prestigious National High School Football Championship twice, in the 65th and 66th editions of the tournament.
2.2. University Years and Amateur Career
Following his graduation from high school, Okura pursued higher education at Waseda University, enrolling in the Faculty of Commerce in 1988. Concurrently, he joined the Waseda University Association Football Club. His commitment to both academics and football culminated in a significant achievement during his fourth year at the university when his team emerged victorious in the 40th All Japan University Football Championship.
3. Playing Career
Satoshi Okura transitioned from a promising university player to a professional footballer, navigating various clubs and leagues throughout his career as a forward. He stood 71 in (180 cm) tall and weighed 161 lb (73 kg) during his playing days.
3.1. Kashiwa Reysol
After graduating from Waseda University, Satoshi Okura initially joined Hitachi as a company player in 1992. Hitachi later transitioned into Kashiwa Reysol, and Okura turned professional with the club in 1994 when it was promoted to the J.League. As a forward, he quickly demonstrated good chemistry with Brazilian striker Careca, who later referred to Okura as a "disciple." Okura, in turn, regarded Careca as a mentor. His time at Kashiwa Reysol was marked by notable achievements; on September 25, 1993, he scored a hat-trick in a J.League Cup match against Bellmare. Furthermore, in 1995, Okura scored Kashiwa Reysol's first ever goal in a J.League league match, finding the net in the opening game against Shimizu S-Pulse.
3.2. Subsequent Professional Engagements
After his spell at Kashiwa Reysol, Okura moved to Júbilo Iwata in 1996. However, his playing time was limited there, with only nine total appearances, including four in regular league games and five in the league cup. In 1997, he joined Brummell Sendai, then competing in the Japan Football League, where he became a regular starter for one season. In 1998, Okura moved to the United States to play for the Jacksonville Cyclones.
3.3. Retirement as a Player
Satoshi Okura concluded his professional playing career in September 1998 after his stint with the Jacksonville Cyclones.
4. Club Statistics
The following table details Satoshi Okura's club performance across various competitions during his playing career:
| Club performance | League | Cup | League Cup | Total | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Club | League | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals |
| Japan | League | Emperor's Cup | J.League Cup | Total | ||||||
| 1992 | Hitachi | JFL Div. 1 | 6 | 0 | - | - | 6 | 0 | ||
| 1993 | Kashiwa Reysol | JFL Div. 1 | 12 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 6 | 4 | 19 | 9 |
| 1994 | Old JFL | 19 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 19 | 8 | |
| 1995 | J1 | 17 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 19 | 1 | |
| 1996 | Júbilo Iwata | J1 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 1 | 9 | 1 |
| 1997 | Brummell Sendai | JFL | 26 | 8 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 31 | 10 |
| Grand Total | 84 | 22 | 5 | 2 | 14 | 5 | 103 | 29 | ||
5. Management Career
After retiring as a player, Satoshi Okura transitioned into a distinguished career in sports management, holding various influential positions that shaped the trajectory of several Japanese football clubs.
5.1. Sports Management Studies
From 1998 to 2000, immediately following his playing retirement, Okura relocated to Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain, to pursue higher education in sports management. He enrolled at the Johan Cruyff Institute, a renowned institution focusing on sports education. During his studies, Okura was significantly influenced by a conversation with Uli Hoeneß, the then general manager of FC Bayern Munich. Hoeneß's remark, "How to lose is important in football," resonated deeply with Okura and became a lasting principle in his approach to sports management.
5.2. Cerezo Osaka
In August 2001, Satoshi Okura began his management career by joining Cerezo Osaka as the Team General Director. He held this position until 2004, contributing to the club's overall operations and team development during his tenure.
5.3. Shonan Bellmare
In 2005, Okura moved to Shonan Bellmare, where he took on the role of Strengthening Manager. Under his leadership, the club, which had been struggling, underwent a significant transformation. He was instrumental in revitalizing the team, guiding them to become contenders for promotion to the J1 League. His influence and responsibilities at Shonan Bellmare steadily grew. In April 2013, he was appointed General Manager, followed by his promotion to Director President in April 2014. By 2015, he had assumed the highest executive position as the Representative Director President of the club. His decade-long tenure at Shonan Bellmare showcased his ability to build and sustain a competitive football organization.
5.4. Iwaki FC Leadership
Despite his success at Shonan Bellmare, Satoshi Okura began to perceive a gap between the global football trend, which he saw as "goal-oriented," and the J.League's approach, which he felt sometimes appeared to focus on "fighting not to be relegated." This observation motivated him to seek new challenges aligned with a more progressive vision for football. He found common ground with Shuichi Yasuda, the CEO of Dome Corporation, who championed the "industrialization of sports." Sharing this vision, Okura made a pivotal decision in December 2015 to resign from his presidency at Shonan Bellmare. He then joined Iwaki FC, a club that was, at the time, playing in the Fukushima Prefecture League 2nd Division. As the Representative Director of Iwaki Sports Club, the operating company of Iwaki FC, Okura embarked on a new mission. His stated objective was to demonstrate within ten years that Iwaki FC could become a "truly exemplary club," reflecting his commitment to a comprehensive model of sports organization with broader societal benefits.
6. Management Philosophy and Vision
Satoshi Okura's management philosophy is deeply rooted in his vision for the "industrialization of sports" and the creation of clubs that serve as benchmarks for excellence and community impact. He believes in fostering a football environment that transcends mere competition, aiming for a broader societal contribution. This philosophy was significantly shaped by his studies at the Johan Cruyff Institute and particularly by Uli Hoeneß's insight that "how to lose is important in football." This principle suggests that resilience, learning from setbacks, and the overall attitude towards competition are as crucial as winning itself. Okura's goal for Iwaki FC, a club he envisioned would become a "truly exemplary club" within a decade, encapsulates his ambition to build a football organization that is not only competitive on the field but also sustainable, community-oriented, and a model for sports development in a wider industrial context. He seeks to bridge the perceived gap between the global, proactive goal-scoring mindset of football and any tendencies towards simply avoiding relegation, advocating for a more ambitious and forward-looking approach to club management.
7. Affiliations
The following is a chronological list of clubs, schools, and organizations Satoshi Okura has been affiliated with throughout his career:
- Yuri-ga-oka Children SC (while attending Kawasaki City Minami Yuri-ga-oka Elementary School)
- Kawasaki City Nagasawa Junior High School
- Gyosei Junior and Senior High School (1985-1987)
- Waseda University (1988-1991)
- Hitachi / Kashiwa Reysol (1992-1995)
- Júbilo Iwata (1996)
- Brummell Sendai (1997)
- Jacksonville Cyclones (1998)
- Johan Cruyff Institute (Student, 1998-2000)
- Cerezo Osaka (Team General Director, August 2001-2004)
- Shonan Bellmare (Strengthening Manager → General Manager → Director President → Representative Director President, 2005-December 2015)
- Iwaki FC (Representative Director of Iwaki Sports Club, December 2015-present)