Tokyo: The Japanese national team's all-time leading scorer, Kunishige Kamamoto, passed away at 81 due to pneumonia, the Japan Football Association (JFA) announced on Monday.

According to Qatar News Agency, Kamamoto was born in Kyoto and is celebrated as one of Japan's greatest forwards. He made history at the 1968 Mexico City Olympic Games by finishing as the top scorer with seven goals, which significantly contributed to Japan securing a bronze medal. His impressive international career spanned from 1964 to 1977, during which he scored 75 goals in 76 appearances.

Kamamoto dedicated his entire club career to Yanmar Diesel, now known as Cerezo Osaka, where he accumulated 202 goals in 251 matches before retiring in 1984. Beyond his playing days, he embraced roles in coaching and administration and became a member of the House of Councillors in 1995. He played an instrumental role in Japan's co-hosting of the 2002 FIFA World Cup with South Korea.

Tsuneyasu Miyamoto, the president of the JFA, praised Kamamoto, highlighting him as a unique striker who inspired hope for Japanese football on the global stage. Veteran striker Kazuyoshi Miura also paid tribute to Kamamoto, recalling that the legendary Brazilian player Pele once described Kamamoto as a great striker.