1. Early Life and Education
Kazunari Hosaka was born on March 24, 1983, in Fuchū, Tokyo, Japan. His football journey began in elementary school at the Furoku Soccer Boys' Team, where he played alongside notable seniors such as Homare Sawa and Kengo Nakamura, and a junior, Yusuke Murakami. He continued his youth development at Verdy Junior Youth during junior high school (attending Fuchu Daini Junior High School) and then at Tokyo Verdy Youth while attending Tokyo Metropolitan Fuchu Higashi High School. In 2000, he was registered as a Type 2 player for Verdy Kawasaki. From 2001 to 2004, he played for Tokyo Gakugei University.
Hosaka stands at 68 in (172 cm) and weighs 139 lb (63 kg).
2. Playing Career
Kazunari Hosaka's professional playing career spanned from 2005 to 2020, primarily in Japan's J.League and later in the Kantō Soccer League. He played for several clubs, most notably Ventforet Kofu across two distinct periods, and also had stints with Fagiano Okayama and Tokyo United FC. His career included appearances in national youth teams and significant contributions at the club level.
2.1. Professional Debut
Hosaka made his professional debut in the J2 League on March 5, 2005, playing for Ventforet Kofu against Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo at Kose Sports Park Athletics Stadium. His first J.League goal came on December 2, 2006, in a J1 League match against Avispa Fukuoka at Hakata no Mori Stadium.
2.2. Club Career
Hosaka's club career saw him play for three professional Japanese clubs: Ventforet Kofu, Fagiano Okayama, and Tokyo United FC.
2.2.1. Ventforet Kofu
Hosaka joined Ventforet Kofu in 2005. Despite making his debut in the opening match, he initially struggled to secure a regular starting position. However, his performance significantly improved in 2007. In the fifth match of the season against Vissel Kobe, he scored the decisive goal that ended the team's losing streak. His impressive form continued in the seventh match against Kashiwa Reysol, where he scored two goals in just two minutes, turning a 1-2 deficit into a comeback victory. Despite these flashes of brilliance, he was unable to establish himself as a consistent starter and was released at the end of the 2008 season.
In 2010, Hosaka returned to his former club, Ventforet Kofu, where he played for another eight seasons until the end of the 2017 season. His contract expired at the conclusion of the 2017 season.
2.2.2. Fagiano Okayama
After his initial departure from Ventforet Kofu, Hosaka moved to Fagiano Okayama in 2009. During his single season with the club, he was utilized as a key player, making 44 appearances and scoring 3 goals. However, he left the club after just one year.
2.2.3. Tokyo United FC
In 2018, Hosaka transferred to Tokyo United FC, marking the final phase of his playing career. He played for the club until December 30, 2020, when his retirement from professional football was officially announced.
2.3. National Team Appearances
Kazunari Hosaka represented Japan at the youth international level. In 2003, he was part of the Japan national team for the Universiade (football competition) held in Daegu, South Korea. He played in all matches during the tournament, contributing to Japan's victory. He also participated in the Qatar International Tournament as a member of the U-23 national team.
2.4. Career Statistics
The following table details Kazunari Hosaka's club performance throughout his professional career:
| Club performance | League | Cup | League Cup | Total | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Club | League | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | |
| Japan | League | Emperor's Cup | J.League Cup | Total | |||||||
| 2002 | Tokyo Gakugei University | 16 | - | - | - | 16 | - | ||||
| 2005 | Ventforet Kofu | J2 League | 1 | 0 | - | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | ||
| 2006 | J1 League | 8 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 13 | 1 | ||
| 2007 | 6 | 3 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 12 | 3 | |||
| 2008 | J2 League | 11 | 0 | - | 1 | 0 | 12 | 0 | |||
| 2009 | Fagiano Okayama | 44 | 3 | - | 0 | 0 | 44 | 3 | |||
| 2010 | Ventforet Kofu | 25 | 0 | - | 1 | 0 | 26 | 0 | |||
| 2011 | J1 League | 8 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 10 | 0 | ||
| 2012 | J2 League | 24 | 1 | - | 0 | 0 | 24 | 1 | |||
| 2013 | J1 League | 22 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 28 | 1 | ||
| 2014 | 8 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 12 | 1 | |||
| 2015 | 8 | 1 | 5 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 15 | 2 | |||
| 2016 | 21 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 22 | 1 | |||
| 2017 | 1 | 0 | 6 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 8 | 1 | |||
| 2018 | Tokyo United FC | Kantō 1st Division | 15 | 0 | - | - | 15 | 0 | |||
| 2019 | 9 | 0 | - | - | 9 | 0 | |||||
| 2020 | 3 | 0 | - | - | 3 | 0 | |||||
| J1 League Total | 82 | 8 | 28 | 1 | 10 | 1 | 120 | 10 | |||
| J2 League Total | 105 | 4 | - | 2 | 0 | 107 | 4 | ||||
| Kantō 1st Division Total | 27 | 0 | - | - | 27 | 0 | |||||
| Career Total | 214 | 12 | 28 | 1 | 12 | 1 | 254 | 14 | |||
3. Coaching Career
Following his retirement as a player, Kazunari Hosaka transitioned into a coaching role. In 2021, he joined the coaching staff of Ventforet Kofu, where he serves as a coach for the U-15 team.
4. Honors and Achievements
- 2003: Universiade Japan Representative (Football)