Shinji Tanaka (born 1960) — Japanese football player and manager

Playing career and context

Tanaka’s career took place primarily in the late 1970s through the 1980s and into the early 1990s, a period when Japanese domestic football was organized under the Japan Soccer League and was undergoing changes that led to the professional J.League era. Players of his generation typically competed in domestic leagues and national cup competitions, and national team appearances were an important measure of recognition.

Managerial work and development roles

After retiring from active play, Tanaka transitioned to coaching and management. Like many former internationals, his post-playing roles included managing club sides and contributing to youth development programs, helping to train younger players and pass on tactical knowledge and professional standards.

Significance and style

Tanaka is remembered as part of a generation that bridged amateur and professional eras in Japanese football. Players from this period helped raise the domestic standard and laid groundwork for later successes at both club and national levels. Contemporary accounts emphasize dedication to team play and mentoring younger teammates.

Key facts

• Name in Japanese: 田中 真二
• Date of birth: 25 September 1960
• Roles: international player for Japan; later club and youth manager
• Career context: active during the transition from the Japan Soccer League toward the professional era

Because records from transitional periods can be unevenly preserved, detailed season-by-season statistics and managerial records are best confirmed through specialized databases and national association archives. This summary highlights Tanaka’s dual role as both a national-team player and later a contributor to coaching and development in Japanese football.