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Japan Hidetoshi Nakata has transitioned from a celebrated Asian footballer to a cultural entrepreneur, promoting Japanese traditions to a global audience.
Featured in a new campaign wearing a 4100022 Raso Gommato 3L Laser Camo jacket and interviewed for their Spring/Summer 025 collection.
Collaborated with the Italian brand Damiani's master goldsmiths on a men's jewelry collection titled 'Metropolitan Dream by H. Nakata'.
Launched the 'HEROs Project' in 2017 with the Nippon Foundation to unite influential figures like athletes and singers in promoting social engagement and support.
Promotes Japanese tea, aiming to create a larger market for craft products beyond just an exceptional brand.
Signed to the sportswear company, he featured in Nike's 'Secret Tournament' advertisement directed by Terry Gilliam for the 2002 World Cup.
Founder of the company, established in 2015, dedicated to promoting awareness and expanding the market for Japanese sake globally.
Featured in an article by GQ Magazine UK highlighting him as one of the best-dressed footballers, specifically noting his appearance at the Louis Vuitton Cruise show.
One of the models featured in the Calvin Klein underwear campaign in 2010. He has also been noted for his interest in fashion by Calvin Klein designer Italo Zucchelli.
Hidetoshi Nakata, born on January 22, 1977, in Kofu, Yamanashi, Japan, began his professional football career at 18 with J1 League side Bellmare Hiratsuka in 1995. A midfielder, he quickly made an impact, helping the club win the 1995 Asian Cup Winners’ Cup, scoring the winning goal in the final. Nakata became a regular player and was named to the J.League Best XI in 1997. His talents drew international attention, leading to his transfer to Perugia in Italy’s Serie A after the 1998 World Cup. This move made him only the second Japanese player to compete in Italy’s top league. His first season in Italy was notable, where he scored 10 goals, marking his highest single-season total.
Nakata’s career continued to ascend in Italy. In January 2000, he joined Roma, contributing to their Serie A title win in 2000–01. A significant moment included scoring a 30-yard goal against Juventus in May 2001, which helped Roma secure a crucial draw. In the summer of 2001, Parma signed Nakata in a world record transfer fee for an Asian player at 55 billion lire. He spent two and a half seasons there, scoring a critical goal in the 2002 Coppa Italia final, which Parma ultimately won. Later, he had spells at Bologna (loan) and Fiorentina before moving to England to play for Bolton Wanderers on loan in August 2005. During his time at Bolton, he scored one league goal before retiring from professional football at the age of 29 in July 2006, following the FIFA World Cup.
Post-retirement, Nakata channeled his passion into exploring and promoting Japanese culture, particularly sake. In 2014, he became a certified “Master of Sake.” The following year, he established JAPAN CRAFT SAKE COMPANY to raise awareness of Japanese sake globally, believing it to be a unique aspect of Japanese culture underestimated worldwide. He has visited numerous breweries and developed his own line of sake, along with an educational app, “Sakenomy.” His endeavors extend to fashion, having modeled for Calvin Klein and being a regular at runway shows, and he became a Global Ambassador for Special Olympics in 2014. These ventures highlight his transition from an athlete to a cultural ambassador and entrepreneur.
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