Uemura was born inYatsushiro on April 22, 1974. After graduating from Matsunaga High School, he joinedJ1 League sideSanfrecce Hiroshima in 1993. He broke into the first team in the first season. His first league appearance came on July 4, 1993 againstVerdy Kawasaki atKawasaki Todoroki Stadium. He scored his first professional goal on July 24, 1993 againstUrawa Reds atHiroshima Stadium. He played in many matches as defender from his first season, except at times when he was injured.
After 11 year's long service atSanfrecce Hiroshima, he moved toCerezo Osaka in 2004, thenTokyo Verdy (2005–2006). After a brief spell atYSCC Yokohama, he joinedRosso Kumamoto (laterRoasso Kumamoto) in 2007. He damaged his knee ligaments three times and experienced seven operations. These injuries have affected his form. Uemura retired from professional football after the 2008 season.
He represented theJapan U-23 national team at the1996 Summer Olympics. He played in 2 matches. He scored a goal in a group stage match againstHungary. Although Japan won 2 matches, Japan exited in the first round. Japan beatBrazil in their first game. It was known as the "Miracle of Miami" (マイアミの奇跡) in Japan.
In April 2001, Uemura was selected by theJapan national team. National team managerPhilippe Troussier gave him his first full international cap on April 25 in a friendly againstSpain inCórdoba. He was a member of the Japan team for the2001 Confederations Cup. He played three games and Japan won second place. He played 4 games for Japan in 2001.[1]
After the retirement, Uemura started coaching career atJ2 League clubRoasso Kumamoto in 2009. In 2013, he moved to J2 clubKamatamare Sanuki and served as coach under managerMakoto Kitano. However the club was relegated toJ3 League end of 2018 season. In 2019, Uemura became a manager as Kitano successor.[2]
