Akira Watanabe is a Japanese former professional motocross racer and team manager. He competed in the Motocross World Championships from 1975 to 1982. Watanabe is notable for being the first and only Japanese competitor to win an FIM motocross world championship.

The 1978 FIM Motocross World Championship was the 22nd F.I.M. Motocross Racing World Championship season.