Career
He is a specialist on the right-hand side of the pitch playing as a full back or a wide midfielder. 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 start 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.
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 beginning league match against Urawa Reds.
After eight years with Gamba Osaka, Kaji signed with Major League Soccer club Chivas United States of America on June 24, 2014.
International He gained his first cap for Japan when national coach Zico played him on October 8, 2003 in a friendly against Tunisia. He was rated highly by Zico who made him the first-choice right full-back. In a 2005 Fédération internationale de football association Confederations Cup against Brazil, 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.
He made the final squad for the 2006 finals. In a preparation match against Germany 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 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
On May 20, 2008 he announced retirement from international football. J. Club AFC Champions League - 2008 Emperor"s Cup - 2008, 2009 J. League Cup - 2004, 2007 Japanese Super Cup - 2007 National Team AFC Asian Cup - 2004 Fédération internationale de football association World Youth Championship - 1999 (Runner-up).
