Former Japan Football Association president Shunichiro Okano died of lung cancer on Thursday, leaving the country’s football family to mourn his passing and commemorate his achievements.

The Tokyo native, who served on the J.League’s founding board of directors, is known for his sig-nificant contribution to Japanese sports and was a long-serving member of the International Olym-pic Committee.

“We have lost another incredible leader,” wrote J.League chairman Mitsuru Murai. “Mr. Okano was involved in the founding of the J.League as well as its predecessor, the Japan Soccer League. 

“He not only guided the development of Japanese football, but helped the J.League succeed. I hope we can honour him by building the bright future he dreamed for Japanese football.”