[1] Konno was educated in England at Rokeby Preparatory School, and was a fluent English speaker.
[4] In 1952, Konno took his first job in rugby administration, acting as liaison for a touring Oxford University side.
[2] In 1968, Konno helped set up the Asian Rugby Football Union, being at various times Secretary General, Director, and Honorary Chairman.
[2] Between 1991 and 2000, Konno was Japan's representative on the International Rugby Board, the world governing body of the sport.
[2] Konno-san was awarded an OBE in 1985 by Queen Elizabeth II, for his services to rugby, and also for helping improve Anglo-Japanese relations.