Akira Kaji

Kaji playing for Gamba Osaka in 2010
Personal information
Full name	Akira Kaji
Date of birth	(1980-01-13) January 13, 1980 (age 44)
Place of birth	Minamiawaji, Hyogo, Japan
Height	1.77 m (5 ft 9+1⁄2 in)
Position(s)	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)
Honours FC Tokyo Winner J.League Cup 2004 Gamba Osaka Winner AFC Champions League 2008 Winner J1 League 2014 Runner-up J1 League 2010 Winner J.League Cup 2007 Winner J.League Cup 2014 Winner Emperor's Cup 2008 Winner Emperor's Cup 2009 Winner Emperor's Cup 2014 Runner-up Emperor's Cup 2006 Runner-up Emperor's Cup 2012 Representing  Japan AFC Asian Cup 2004 China FIFA U-20 World Cup 1999 Nigeria AFC U-20 Asian Cup 1998 Thailand
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only

Akira Kaji (加地 亮, Kaji Akira, born January 13, 1980) is a former Japanese football player. He played for the Japan national team.

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.

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• Akira Kaji at Soccerway.com
• Akira Kaji at WorldFootball.net
• Akira Kaji at Soccerbase.com
• Akira Kaji at National-Football-Teams.com
• Akira Kaji at kicker (in German)

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