Former Japan national team coach Sachio Shimomura passed away on October 13 due to old age. He was 94 years old and was born in Hiroshima City. His funeral and wake were held for close family members only.
Shimomura, after a career as a soccer player, succeeded as the coach of Toyo Kogyo (now J1 Hiroshima) and achieved great success. In 1961, he won the national high school championship and the national university championship. After becoming the coach of Toyo Kogyo, he won the Japanese League four consecutive times from the 1965 first season, and also won the Emperor's Cup three times.
He served as the national team coach from 1979 to 1980 after working as the coach of Fujita Real Estate (now J2 Seagulls). In 2015, he was inducted into the Japanese Soccer Hall of Fame.
Additionally, Shimomura was a survivor of the atomic bombing and was raised in Shudou Middle School. He continued to share his experiences, which had a profound impact on many people and greatly influenced the Japanese soccer world.
The soccer world mourns Shimomura's passing and honors his legacy.
