TOKYO: Long-time football writer Hiroshi Kagawa, the first Japanese recipient of the FIFA Presidential Award, died of natural causes Thursday, a source familiar with the matter said, Kyodo news agency reported.
He was 99.
The Kobe native was a pioneer in the field in Japan, covering a total of 10 World Cups up until the 2014 edition in Brazil, and was inducted by the Japan Football Association into the Japan Football Hall of Fame in 2010.
Kagawa started working for the Sankei Shimbun in 1952 and held posts including chief editor of Sankei Sports before turning freelance upon reaching retirement age.
Football's international governing body recognized Kagawa for his work with the FIFA Presidential Award in 2015.