Akira Kaji

is a Japanese professional soccer player. He is a specialist on the right-hand side of the pitch playing as a fullback (football) or a wide midfielder. He currently plays for J. League side Gamba Osaka.

Playing career

Club

After graduating from Takigawa Daini High School, Kaji joined Cerezo Osaka in 1998. He made his first league appearance on July 25, 1998 against Avispa Fukuoka. At the club, he found it difficult to break into the first team and was loaned out to J. League Division 2 side Oita Trinita at the beginning of the 2000 season.

After spending 2 years at Oita, Kaji came back to Division 1 in 2002 to play for F.C. Tokyo. The manager Hiromi Hara made him a regular and assigned a more attacking role. His club won the 2004 J. League Cup by beating Urawa Red Diamonds in the final which ended 0-0 after the extra time. The penalty shoot-out was required and his successful conversion as the last penalty taker for Tokyo finally broke the deadlock.

He was transferred to Gamba Osaka at the beginning of the 2006 season and scored in the opening league match against Urawa Reds. He was selected as a member of the 2006 J-League Team of the Year.

International

He was a member of the Japan team for the 1999 FIFA World Youth Championship finals where the team finished runners-up.

He gained his first cap for Japan national football team when national coach Zico played him on October 8, 2003 in a friendly against Tunisia national football team. He was rated highly by Zico who made him the first-choice right full-back. He was a member of the Japan team who won the 2004 Asian Cup in China. In a Confederations Cup 2005 against Brazilian national football team, his goal was disallowed by a controversial offside decision. His first goal for the country finally came on August 17, 2005 in a World Cup qualifier against Iran national football team.

He made the final squad for the 2006 FIFA World Cup finals. In a preparation match against Germany national football team just before the tournament, he injured his ankle when tackled by Bastian Schweinsteiger. Zico considered his replacement but decided to keep him. He missed Japan's first game in the tournament against Australia national football team with Yūichi Komano filling in for his place, but he returned to the team and played in the rest of the competition.

After the 2006 World Cup, Zico was replaced by Ivica Osim who also regularly picks him for the national team. He was a member of the Japan team for the 2007 AFC Asian Cup and played all the Japan games in the tournament.

On May 20, 2008 he announced retirement from international football.

National team

- (Champions)
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International Goals

Honors and awards

Individual Honors

- J-League Best eleven: 2006

Team Honors

- FIFA World Youth Championship runner-up: 1999 FIFA World Youth Championship
- Asian Cup Champions: Asian Cup 2004