September 25, 2011
TOKYO, JAPAN
Former executive secretary of the Japan Boxing Commission (JBC), Shigeru Kojima, at the age of eighty, passed away because of pneumonia on August 26. Even though Kojima already retired five years ago, it seems strange that his family only had a private funeral service without our knowledge about a month ago. We, boxing people here, are greatly startled at the sorrowful news and deeply appreciate his previous contribution to our boxing world. Having graduated from Meiji University, Kojima once served as secretary of a congressman and ex-prime minister Tetsu Katayama before entering the JBC in 1964. Kojima succeeded his predecessor Kotai Kikuchi as executive secretary in 1972. He served well in association with the JPBA (Japan Professional Boxing Association; the union of licensed managers) to improve the system to administrate our boxing fraternity. Kojima, for thirty-four years, attended all conventions of the WBA and the WBC, only which the JBC has affiliated with. Though he was a short person, he sometimes revealed his big heart in dealing with difficult matters. He was a man. May his soul rest in peace.
(9-25-11)