Naoko Kawakami

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

Naoko Kawakami

Personal information
Full name	Naoko Kawakami
Date of birth	(1977-11-16) November 16, 1977
Place of birth	Akashi, Hyogo, Japan
Height	1.56 m (5 ft 1+1⁄2 in)
Playing position	Defender
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
1990–2004	Tasaki Perule FC	176+	(22+)
2005–2006	Nippon TV Beleza	38	(2)
Total		214+	(24+)
National team
2001–2005	Japan	48	(0)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only

Biography

Kawakami was born in Akashi on November 16, 1977. In 1990, she was 13 years old, she joined for Tasaki-Shinju Kobe (later Tasaki Perule FC). She previously played midfielder. However, when she entered the Japan national team, she became a right back. After success at this position, she remained a defender when she transferred to Nippon TV Beleza. She had a lot of success with her two clubs, winning one Nadeshiko League title with her first club in 2003 and three Empress's Cups, and two other titles with her second one. She was also selected Best Eleven 5 times (2000, 2002, 2003, 2004 and 2005).

On March 16, 2001, Kawakami debuted for the Japan national team against Chinese Taipei. She played at 2001, 2003 AFC Championship and 2002 Asian Games. She was also a member of Japan for 2003 World Cup and the 2004 Olympic Games. She played 48 games for Japan until 2005.

Statistics

Japan national team
Year	Apps	Goals
2001	10	0
2002	10	0
2003	14	0
2004	10	0
2005	4	0
Total	48	0