Katsuji Kawashima

Katsuji Kawashima (川島 勝司)

• School Chuo University
• High School Kiryu High School

• Born April 17, 1943 in Sano, Tochigi Japan

Biographical Information

Katsuji Kawashima was a manager of the Japanese national team.

Kawashima was an infielder in college. The Kintetsu Buffaloes took him in the second round of the 1968 draft but he did not sign, instead spending his career in the industrial leagues with Nippon Gakki (later renamed Yamaha). He then coached for Nippon Gakki/Yamaha from 1972-1975, 1978-1980 and 1986-?) and for the Toyota Motor Corporation (2000-2002). He managed Japan to Silver in the 1979 Intercontinental Cup, ahead of a US team with several future major leaguers. He also coached for Japan in the 1982 Amateur World Series, 1988 Baseball World Cup and 1988 Olympics. He managed them to a Gold in the 1993 Asian Championship then coached in the 1994 Baseball World Cup and 1995 Asian Championship. He then managed them to a Gold Medal in the 1994 Asian Games, a Silver Medal in the 1995 Intercontinental Cup and a Silver Medal in the 1996 Olympics. He was elected to the Japanese Baseball Hall of Fame in the 2021.

Primary Source: Japanese Wikipedia entry