Akira Kaji

is a former Japanese football player. He played for the Japan national team.

Akira Kaji

Kaji playing for Gamba Osaka in 2010
Personal information
Full name	Akira Kaji
Date of birth	(1980-01-13) January 13, 1980
Place of birth	Minamiawaji, Hyogo, Japan
Height	1.77 m (5 ft 9+1⁄2 in)
Playing position	Defender
Youth career
1995–1997	Takigawa Daini High School
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
1998–1999	Cerezo Osaka	24	(0)
2000–2001	Oita Trinita	75	(3)
2002–2005	FC Tokyo	89	(1)
2006–2014	Gamba Osaka	225	(2)
2014	Chivas USA	15	(0)
2015–2017	Fagiano Okayama	86	(1)
Total		514	(7)
National team
1999	Japan U-20	3	(0)
2003–2008	Japan	64	(2)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only

Biography

Kaji was born in Minamiawaji on January 13, 1980. After graduating from Takigawa Daini High School, he joined J1 League club Cerezo Osaka in 1998. In 2000, he moved to J2 League club Oita Trinita. He played as regular right side back in 2 seasons. In 2002, he moved to J1 club FC Tokyo. The club won the champions in 2004 J.League Cup which is first major title in the club history. In 2006, he moved to Gamba Osaka. The club won the champions in the 2007 J.League Cup, 2008 and 2009 Emperor's Cup. In Asia, the club won the champions 2008 AFC Champions League and the 3rd place 2008 Club World Cup. He played 225 matches for the club in 9 seasons. In summer 2014. he moved to Major League Soccer club Chivas USA. However, the club was disbanded in 2014, he returned to Japan and joined J2 League club Fagiano Okayama in 2015. He retired end of 2017 season.

Kaji was a member of the Japan U-20 national team for the 1999 World Youth Championship. He played 3 matches and Japan won the 2nd place. On October 8, 2003, Kaji debuted for the Japan national team against Tunisia. He became a regular player as right side back from 2004. In 2004, he was selected Japan for 2004 Asian Cup and Japan won the champions. He also played at 2006 World Cup and 2007 Asian Cup. However his opportunity to play decreased behind young player Atsuto Uchida in 2008. He played 64 games and scored 2 goals for Japan until 2008.

Statistics

Club performance			League		Cup		League Cup		Continental		Total
Season	Club	League	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
Japan			League		Emperor's Cup		J. League Cup		Asia		Total
1998	Cerezo Osaka	J1 League	15	0	1	0	1	1	-		17	1
1999			9	0	0	0	0	0	-		9	0
2000	Oita Trinita	J2 League	34	3	2	0	1	0	-		37	3
2001			41	0	2	0	4	0	-		47	0
2002	FC Tokyo	J1 League	20	1	1	0	6	0	-		27	1
2003			22	0	2	0	6	0	-		30	0
2004			22	0	3	0	1	0	-		26	0
2005			25	0	2	0	0	0	-		27	0
2006	Gamba Osaka	J1 League	29	1	5	1	0	0	5	0	39	2
2007			28	1	4	1	6	0	-		38	2
2008			26	0	5	0	4	0	8	0	43	0
2009			20	0	5	1	0	0	1	0	26	1
2010			32	0	2	0	2	0	6	0	42	0
2011			30	0	1	0	0	0	6	0	37	0
2012			16	0	5	0	1	0	5	0	27	0
2013		J2 League	38	0	2	0	-		-		40	0
2014		J1 League	6	0	0	0	0	0	-		6	0
United States			League		Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup		MLS Cup Playoffs		North America		Total
2014	Chivas USA	Major League Soccer	15	0	-		-		-		15	0
Japan			League		Emperor's Cup		J. League Cup		Asia		Total
2015	Fagiano Okayama	J2 League	36	0	1	0	-		-		37	0
2016			26	1	0	0	-		-		26	1
2017			24	0	0	0	-		-		24	0
Country	Japan		499	7	43	3	32	1	31	0	605	11
	United States		15	0	-		-		-		15	0
Total			514	7	43	3	32	1	31	0	620	11

Japan national team
Year	Apps	Goals
2003	1	0
2004	20	0
2005	14	1
2006	14	0
2007	11	1
2008	4	0
Total	64	2