here's a little background but unfortuately there isn't a lot to be found as he didn't race on the world GP circuit for all that many years when compared to others.
To the Japanese People Akira Watanabe is nothing short of a legend and has done more for his country in the sport of Moto-X than any other rider. He is the only Japanese rider to win a world championship.
As leading Japanese rider, eight time Grand Prix winner Akira Watanabe was asked to race in his national championship ahead of the world championship. Although this delayed Watanabes' dream of becoming world champion, if anything it ultimately prepared him when he finally got the world championship in Europe.
Watanabe was signed up by the Suzuki team at age 17 where he spent time as a development rider and competed heavily on the domestic Japanese circuit where he cleaned up winning the Japanese National 125cc and 250cc titles in 1974 at 19 years of age. The following year he was off to Europe where he immediately made an impression winning the Spanish GP.
Unfortunately factory orders saw him compete back in Japan the following year but not before competing in the USA Trans-AMA series where he won beating the likes of Roger DeCoster, Bob Hannah and Marty Smith in the process. By 1977 Watanabe's speed had improved so much the the Suzuki Factory had no choice but to let him compete in Europe again where he took on Gaston 'The Great' Rahier in the 125 class. After winning the first GP of the season Watanabe suffered a knee injury at the Belgium GP effectively ending his '77 title assult.
1978 however was to be Akira Watanabes' dream year and consistant riding saw him take the title from Rahier at the last race of the season. Akira Watanabe retired from racing in the early 80's but is still heavily involved in the industry.
