Akira Watanabe

is a Japanese former professional motocross racer and team manager. He competed in the Motocross World Championships from 1975 to 1982. Watanabe is notable for being the first and only Japanese competitor to win an FIM motocross world championship.

Motorcycle racing career Watanabe was born on 21 October 1954 in Utsunomiya, Japan. He rode a Suzuki motorcycle to win the 1974 125cc Japanese motocross national championship earning him a chance to compete in the 1975 125cc motocross world championship. He won his first international race at the 1975 125cc Spanish Grand Prix, becoming the first Japanese rider to win a motocross Grand Prix.

Watanabe returned to compete in the 1976 Japanese motocross national championship where, he finished second in both the 125cc and 250cc classes.

He finished second to his Suzuki teammate Harry Everts in the 1979 125cc motocross world championship. He continued to compete in the motocross world championships until 1982, when Suzuki withdrew from international motocross competition.