Hashiratani was educated at and played for Kyoto Commercial High School and Kokushikan University.

Hashiratani was capped 72 times and scored 6 goals for the Japan national team from 1988 to 1995.

He was the captain when Japan's hope to play in the 1994 World Cup finals was dashed by a late Iraqi equaliser in the final qualifier, the match that the Japanese fans now refer to as the Agony of Doha.

He succeeded Takeshi Okada as the manager of Consadole Sapporo at the beginning of the 2002 season.

He was called back to professional managing once more, as he was announced to lead Mito HollyHock from the 2011 season.

After poor results leaving Mito in the relegation zone, he was sacked in the middle of the 2015 season.