Kozo Kinomoto

Kozo Kinomoto
Personal information
Date of birth (1949-01-08)8 January 1949
Place of birth Chiba, Japan
Date of death 15 January 2017(2017-01-15) (aged 68)
Position Midfielder
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1972–1975 Furukawa Electric
* Club domestic league appearances and goals

Kozo Kinomoto (木之本 興三, Kinomoto Kōzō; 8 January 1949 – 15 January 2017) was a Japanese footballer who played as a midfielder for Furukawa Electric from 1972 to 1975 before being forced to retire due to kidney problem. After his playing career he became a sports executive and served as director in the Japan Football League until 2003.

In his later years Kinomoto lost both of his legs due to health issues and died on 15 January 2017 at the age of 68.

References

  1. 1 2 "Former J. League director Kinomoto dies". The Japan Times. 17 January 2017. Archived from the original on 18 January 2017. Retrieved 9 July 2025.
  2. ↑ ""Ｊリーグ生みの親"木之本興三氏 死去 ６８歳" ["J-League creator" Kozo Kinomoto dies aged 68]. Sports Nippon (in Japanese). 16 January 2017. Retrieved 9 July 2025.