+ Minor planets discovered: 671 see

is a Japanese amateur astronomer and prolific discoverer of minor planets. He was born in Hokkaidō, Japan and is a member of the Astronomical Society of Japan as well as of the Oriental Astronomical Association.

Through publications and the direction of junior associates, this asteroid hunter has been responsible for the discovery of nearly 700 asteroids, many of them in association with Kin Endate. He is the author or co-author of the Japanese publications Asteroid Hunter (小惑星ハンター), Celestial Body Photography Manual (天体写真マニュアル), The Celestial Sky of Our Dreams (僕らの夢の星空), as well as others. He is also a frequent contributor to the Japanese periodical Monthly Astronomical Guide (月刊天文ガイド).

The minor planet 4155 Watanabe has been named in his honor.

Discoveries

Names of some asteroids

Mamiya (間宮, 12127) – Named after the famous Edo-period detective, Mamiya Rinzō. Tentaikojo (天体工場, 12713) – Named after the museum of that name in Sapporo.

List of discovered asteroids

Kazuo Watanabe is credited by the Minor Planet Center with the discovery of 671 minor planets made between 1987 and 2000.

Some of his discoveries include (in alphabetical order) the minor planets 4263 Abashiri (Florian asteroid), 4585 Ainonai, 46610 Bésixdouze, 5331 Erimomisaki, 3915 Fukushima, 5474 Gingasen (Vestian binary), 9971 Ishihara, 11949 Kagayayutaka, 5481 Kiuchi, 6498 Ko (slow rotator), 6500 Kodaira (a Mars-crosser), 6980 Kyusakamoto (Koronian asteroid), 4607 Seilandfarm (rare-type binary), 5357 Sekiguchi and 5692 Shirao.

3867 Shiretoko 16 April 1988 3915 Fukushima 15 August 1988 4042 Okhotsk 15 January 1989 4126 Mashu 19 January 1988 4263 Abashiri 7 September 1989 4459 Nusamaibashi 30 January 1990 4460 Bihoro 28 February 1990 4491 Otaru 7 September 1988 4497 Taguchi 4 January 1989 4508 Takatsuki 27 March 1990 4547 Massachusetts 16 May 1990 4557 Mika 14 December 1987 4584 Akan 16 March 1990 4585 Ainonai 16 May 1990 4607 Seilandfarm 25 November 1987 4613 Mamoru 22 July 1990 4641 Ayako 30 August 1990 4644 Oumu 16 September 1990 4645 Tentaikojo 16 September 1990 4676 Uedaseiji 16 September 1990 4677 Hiroshi 26 September 1990 4712 Iwaizumi 25 August 1989 4714 Toyohiro 29 September 1989 4718 Araki 13 November 1990 4743 Kikuchi 16 February 1988 4746 Doi 9 October 1989 4750 Mukai 15 December 1990 4771 Hayashi 7 September 1989 4773 Hayakawa 17 November 1989 4795 Kihara 7 February 1989 4839 Daisetsuzan 25 August 1989 4845 Tsubetsu 5 March 1991 4905 Hiromi 15 May 1991 4971 Hoshinohiroba 30 January 1989 4973 Showa 18 March 1990 4975 Dohmoto 16 September 1990 4976 Choukyongchol 9 August 1991 5059 Saroma 11 January 1988 5064 Tanchozuru 16 March 1990 5069 Tokeidai 16 August 1991 5117 Mokotoyama 8 April 1988 5121 Numazawa 15 January 1989 5174 Okugi 16 April 1988 5180 Ohno 6 April 1989 5187 Domon 15 October 1990 5192 Yabuki 4 February 1991 5213 Takahashi 18 March 1990 5214 Oozora 13 November 1990 5215 Tsurui 9 January 1991 5291 Yuuko 20 December 1990 5293 Bentengahama 23 January 1991 5294 Onnetoh 3 February 1991 5331 Erimomisaki 27 January 1990 5356 Neagari 21 March 1991 5357 Sekiguchi 2 March 1992 5372 Bikki 29 November 1987 5374 Hokutosei 4 January 1989 5404 Uemura 15 March 1991 5474 Gingasen 3 December 1988 5481 Kiuchi 15 February 1990 5557 Chimikeppuko 7 February 1989 5580 Sharidake 10 September 1988 5603 Rausudake 5 February 1992 5631 Sekihokutouge 20 March 1993 5648 Axius 11 November 1990 5679 Akkado 2 November 1989 5686 Chiyonoura 20 December 1990 5692 Shirao 23 March 1992 5734 Noguchi 15 January 1989 5750 Kandatai 11 April 1991 5753 Yoshidatadahiko 4 March 1992 5847 Wakiya 18 December 1989 5848 Harutoriko 30 January 1990 5850 Masaharu 8 December 1990 5868 Ohta 13 October 1988 5875 Kuga 5 December 1989 5970 Ohdohrikouen 13 May 1991 5975 Otakemayumi 21 September 1992 5978 Kaminokuni 16 November 1992 6020 Miyamoto 30 September 1991 6022 Jyuro 26 October 1992 6023 Tsuyashima 26 October 1992 6049 Toda 2 November 1991 6052 Junichi 9 February 1992 6091 Mitsuru 28 February 1990 6093 Makoto 30 August 1990 6097 Koishikawa 29 October 1991 6098 Mutojunkyu 31 October 1991 6104 Takao 16 April 1993 6140 Kubokawa 6 January 1992 6144 Kondojiro 14 March 1994 6193 Manabe 18 August 1990 6195 Nukariya 13 November 1990 6200 Hachinohe 16 April 1993 6201 Ichiroshimizu 16 April 1993 6208 Wakata 3 December 1988 6210 Hyunseop 14 January 1991 6246 Komurotoru 13 November 1990 6247 Amanogawa 21 November 1990 6274 Taizaburo 23 March 1992 6323 Karoji 14 February 1991 6330 Koen 23 March 1992 6337 Shiota 26 October 1992 6338 Isaosato 26 October 1992 6340 Kathmandu 15 October 1993 6345 Hideo 5 January 1994 6381 Toyama 21 February 1988 6389 Ogawa 21 January 1990 6390 Hirabayashi 26 January 1990 6408 Saijo 28 October 1992 6412 Kaifu 15 October 1993 6413 Iye 15 October 1993 6424 Ando 14 March 1994 6459 Hidesan 28 October 1992 6463 Isoda 13 January 1994 6496 Kazuko 19 October 1992 6498 Ko 26 October 1992 6500 Kodaira 15 March 1993 6526 Matogawa 1 October 1992 6558 Norizuki 14 April 1991 6562 Takoyaki 9 November 1991 6565 Reiji 23 March 1992 6567 Shigemasa 16 November 1992 6570 Tomohiro 6 May 1994 6599 Tsuko 8 August 1988 6607 Matsushima 29 October 1991 6637 Inoue 3 December 1988 6644 Jugaku 5 January 1991 6650 Morimoto 7 September 1991 6656 Yokota 23 March 1992 6658 Akiraabe 18 November 1992 6669 Obi 5 May 1994 6707 Shigeru 13 November 1988 6722 Bunichi 23 January 1991 6737 Okabayashi 15 March 1993 6738 Tanabe 20 March 1993 6741 Liyuan 31 March 1994 6742 Biandepei 8 April 1994 6743 Liu 8 April 1994 6744 Komoda 6 May 1994 6745 Nishiyama 7 May 1994 6778 Tosamakoto 4 October 1989 6832 Kawabata 23 March 1992 6867 Kuwano 28 March 1992 6869 Funada 2 May 1992 6873 Tasaka 21 April 1993 6878 Isamu 2 October 1994 6905 Miyazaki 15 October 1990 6908 Kunimoto 24 November 1990 6913 Yukawa 31 October 1991 6919 Tomonaga 16 April 1993 6920 Esaki 14 May 1993 6924 Fukui 8 October 1993 6927 Tonegawa 2 October 1994 6931 Kenzaburo 4 November 1994 6964 Kunihiko 15 October 1990 6978 Hironaka 12 September 1993 6979 Shigefumi 12 September 1993 6980 Kyusakamoto 16 September 1993 7035 Gomi 28 January 1995 7122 Iwasaki 12 March 1989 7128 Misawa 30 September 1991 7133 Kasahara 15 October 1993 7176 Kuniji 1 December 1989 7186 Tomioka 26 December 1991 7188 Yoshii 23 September 1992 7189 Kuniko 28 September 1992 7192 Cieletespace 12 September 1993 7193 Yamaoka 19 September 1993 7241 Kuroda 11 November 1990 7242 Okyudo 11 November 1990 7250 Kinoshita 23 September 1992 7251 Kuwabara 30 September 1992 7254 Kuratani 15 October 1993 7293 Kazuyuki 23 March 1992 7305 Ossakajusto 8 February 1994 7342 Uchinoura 23 March 1992 7365 Sejong 18 August 1996 7418 Akasegawa 11 March 1991 7430 Kogure 23 January 1993 7435 Sagamihara 8 February 1994 7436 Kuroiwa 8 February 1994 7442 Inouehideo 20 September 1995 7475 Kaizuka 28 October 1992 7483 Sekitakakazu 1 November 1994 7530 Mizusawa 15 April 1994 7572 Znokai 23 September 1989 7590 Aterui 26 October 1992 7596 Yumi 10 April 1993 7664 Namahage 2 October 1994 7674 Kasuga 15 November 1995 7766 Jododaira 23 January 1991 23 March 1992 19 October 1992 7826 Kinugasa 2 November 1991 7828 Noriyositosi 28 September 1992 7842 Ishitsuka 1 December 1994 7890 Yasuofukui 2 October 1994 7954 Kitao 19 September 1993 7965 Katsuhiko 17 January 1996 8011 Saijokeiichi 29 November 1989 8036 Maehara 26 October 1992 8040 Utsumikazuhiko 16 September 1993 8087 Kazutaka 29 November 1989 8097 Yamanishi 12 September 1993 8098 Miyamotoatsushi 19 September 1993 8156 Tsukada 13 October 1988 8159 Fukuoka 24 January 1990 8167 Ishii 14 February 1991 8182 Akita 1 October 1992 8194 Satake 16 September 1993 8202 Gooley 11 February 1994 8204 Takabatake 8 April 1994 8231 Tetsujiyamada 6 October 1997 8274 Soejima 15 October 1990 8286 Kouji 8 March 1992 8294 Takayuki 26 October 1992 8295 Toshifukushima 26 October 1992 8296 Miyama 13 January 1993 8314 Tsuji 25 October 1997 8377 Elmerreese 23 September 1992 8393 Tetsumasakamoto 15 October 1993 8406 Iwaokusano 20 April 1995 8417 Lancetaylor 7 November 1996 8493 Yachibozu 30 January 1990 8500 Hori 10 October 1990 8503 Masakatsu 21 November 1990 8526 Takeuchiyukou 23 September 1992 8527 Katayama 28 September 1992 8529 Sinzi 19 October 1992 8531 Mineosaito 16 November 1992 8546 Kenmotsu 13 January 1994 8548 Sumizihara 14 March 1994 8553 Bradsmith 20 April 1995 8560 Tsubaki 20 September 1995 8575 Seishitakeuchi 7 November 1996 8577 Choseikomori 7 November 1996 8660 Sano 15 October 1990 8693 Matsuki 16 November 1992 8712 Suzuko 2 October 1994 8713 Azusa 26 January 1995 8728 Mimatsu 7 November 1996 8824 Genta 18 January 1988 8874 Showashinzan 26 October 1992 8882 Sakaetamura 10 January 1994 8891 Irokawa 1 September 1994 8895 Nha 21 August 1995 9067 Katsuno 16 April 1993 9074 Yosukeyoshida 31 March 1994 9080 Takayanagi 2 October 1994 9088 Maki 20 September 1995 9090 Chirotenmondai 28 October 1995 9206 Yanaikeizo 1 September 1994 9208 Takanotoshi 2 October 1994 9215 Taiyonoto 28 October 1995 9229 Matsuda 20 February 1996 9333 Hiraimasa 15 October 1990 9362 Miyajima 23 March 1992 9375 Omodaka 16 April 1993 9382 Mihonoseki 11 October 1993 9573 Matsumotomas 16 October 1988 9599 Onotomoko 29 October 1991 9602 Oya 31 October 1991 9632 Sudo 15 October 1993 9642 Takatahiro 1 September 1994 9842 Funakoshi 15 January 1989 9845 Okamuraosamu 27 March 1990 9851 Sakamoto 24 October 1990 9869 Yadoumaru 9 February 1992 9871 Jeon 28 February 1992 9967 Awanoyumi 31 March 1992 9971 Ishihara 16 April 1993 9975 Takimotokoso 12 September 1993 10092 Sasaki 15 November 1990 10117 Tanikawa 1 October 1992 10138 Ohtanihiroshi 16 September 1993 10146 Mukaitadashi 8 February 1994 10155 Numaguti 4 November 1994 10182 Junkobiwaki 20 March 1996 10301 Kataoka 30 March 1989 10304 Iwaki 30 September 1989 10319 Toshiharu 11 October 1990 10322 Mayuminarita 11 November 1990 10326 Kuragano 21 November 1990 10351 Seiichisato 23 September 1992 10352 Kawamura 26 October 1992 10355 Kojiroharada 15 March 1993 10366 Shozosato 24 November 1994 10546 Nakanomakoto 28 March 1992 10555 Tagaharue 16 April 1993 10559 Yukihisa 16 September 1993 10560 Michinari 8 October 1993 10561 Shimizumasahiro 15 October 1993 10569 Kinoshitamasao 8 April 1994 10570 Shibayasuo 8 April 1994 10608 Mameta 7 November 1996 10616 Inouetakeshi 25 October 1997 10760 Ozeki 15 October 1990 10767 Toyomasu 22 October 1990 10802 Masamifuruya 28 October 1992 10805 Iwano 18 November 1992 10821 Kimuratakeshi 16 September 1993 10822 Yasunori 16 September 1993 10823 Sakaguchi 16 September 1993 10827 Doikazunori 11 October 1993 10882 Shinonaga 3 November 1996 10884 Tsuboimasaki 7 November 1996 10885 Horimasato 7 November 1996 11072 Hiraoka 3 April 1992 11074 Kuniwake 23 September 1992 11079 Mitsunori 13 January 1993 11086 Nagatayuji 11 October 1993 11087 Yamasakimakoto 15 October 1993 11099 Sonodamasaki 20 April 1995 11280 Sakurai 9 October 1989 11282 Hanakusa 30 October 1989 11316 Fuchitatsuo 5 October 1994 11323 Nasu 21 August 1995 11324 Hayamizu 30 August 1995 11492 Shimose 13 November 1988 11494 Hibiki 2 November 1988 11495 Fukunaga 3 December 1988 11545 Hashimoto 26 October 1992 11546 Miyoshimachi 28 October 1992 11579 Tsujitsuka 6 May 1994