Yawara's grandfather, Jigorō, is a 7th-dan Judo Master and 5-time National Champion. His passion for judo is rivaled only by his love for Yawara and food. He has great expectations for Yawara's career, and is constantly pushing her to do her best and focus primarily on judo. His motto is &quot;Judo was not built in a day&quot;. He also does work on the side as a bone-setting doctor.  (from wikipedia)

Yawara! is a sports anime laced with comedic and romance elements. It starts off with Yawara Inokuma, a high school girl who is most interested in doing the things that your average Japanese high school girl does. However, she has been trained in Judo for years by her grandfather, Jigorou (A former Japan Judo Champion), who has much grander plans in store for her as a Judo superstar. He manipulates matters so that Yawara ends up having to perform in matches and tournaments. His final plan is for Yawara to "Win the Gold Medal in the Olympics and be awarded the Nation Medal of Honor". 
(Source: AniDB)

He was represented by Tokyo Actor's Consumer's Cooperative Society and after by Aoni Production.

He passed away on January 27, 2014 at the age of 82 due to ischemic heart disease or coronary artery disease.

[Profile](https://www.aoni.co.jp/search/nagai-ichiro.html)

Yawara Inokuma is a talented judoka raised and trained by her grandfather Jigoro. Her grandfather says she's supposed to become the hope of Japan's judo team in Seoul in 1988, but she has different plans: to finish high school and find a boyfriend... like all her friends. But being a normal girl and an Olympic champion are two different things. Which path will she choose to follow?
 
Note: Won the 35th Shogakukan Manga Award for general manga in 1990.

Yawara Inokuma competes for Japan in the Atlanta Olympic Games as she meets with several familiar faces throughout the tournament.
 
(Source: Anime News Network)

Yawara helps a group of timid grade school kids overcome their fears and compete in a judo competition. One of the kids is Hanazono's cousin, which is how she meets them. Another is a girl who seems a whole lot like Yawara.
 
(Source: Anime News Network)

Prequel to Yawara! A Fashionable Judo Girl 
Published in an anthology of 4 stories about Jigorou and 2 other stories completely unrelated to Jigorou or Yawara.

Jigorou Inokuma