1. Overview
Mayumi Kaji (加治 真弓Kaji MayumiJapanese, born June 28, 1964) is a former Japanese football player who primarily played as a defender. She is well-known for her extensive career with the Japan women's national football team, for which she amassed 48 appearances between 1981 and 1991. Her international career included participation in several major tournaments, such as the AFC Women's Championship, Asian Games, and the inaugural 1991 FIFA Women's World Cup. At the club level, she played for Tasaki Kobe Ladies and was recognized for her performance by being selected for the L.League Best Eleven in its first season in 1989.
2. Early Life and Club Career
Mayumi Kaji's football journey began in her youth, leading her to a significant professional club career before her impactful international appearances.
2.1. Early Life
Mayumi Kaji was born on June 28, 1964. Details about her specific birthplace or childhood are not extensively documented in available records, but her early life set the foundation for her professional football career in Japan.
2.2. Club Career
Kaji played her professional club football for Tasaki Kobe Ladies. During her time with the club, she distinguished herself as a prominent defender. Her performance was notably recognized in 1989, when she was selected for the Best Eleven of the inaugural 1989 L.League, the first season of Japan's top women's football league.
3. International Career
Mayumi Kaji had a long and significant international career with the Japan women's national football team, spanning from 1981 to 1991, during which she participated in numerous key tournaments.
3.1. International Debut and Initial Appearances
Mayumi Kaji made her debut for the Japan national team at the young age of 17. Her first international appearance was on September 6, 1981, in a match against England as part of the Portopia '81 tournament. This marked the beginning of her 10-year tenure with the national squad.
3.2. Major Tournament Participations
Throughout her career, Kaji was a consistent presence in major international competitions for Japan. She participated in multiple editions of the AFC Women's Championship, including the 1986, 1989, and 1991 tournaments, where Japan achieved runner-up finishes (1986, 1991) and a third-place finish (1989). She also represented Japan at the 1990 Asian Games, where the team secured a runner-up position.
A significant highlight of her international career was her inclusion in the Japan squad for the 1991 FIFA Women's World Cup, the inaugural edition of the tournament held in China. Kaji played in all three of Japan's matches at the 1991 World Cup, which also marked her final appearances for the national team. Her last game for Japan was during this competition.
3.3. International Statistics
Mayumi Kaji accumulated 48 caps for the Japan national team, scoring no goals, throughout her career from 1981 to 1991. Her yearly breakdown of appearances is as follows:
| Japan national team | ||
|---|---|---|
| Year | Apps | Goals |
| 1981 | 1 | 0 |
| 1982 | 0 | 0 |
| 1983 | 0 | 0 |
| 1984 | 0 | 0 |
| 1985 | 0 | 0 |
| 1986 | 12 | 0 |
| 1987 | 4 | 0 |
| 1988 | 3 | 0 |
| 1989 | 9 | 0 |
| 1990 | 7 | 0 |
| 1991 | 12 | 0 |
| Total | 48 | 0 |
3.4. Detailed Match Appearances
The table below provides a comprehensive list of Mayumi Kaji's individual international matches for the Japan women's national football team.
| # | Date | Venue | Location | Opponent | Result | Coach | Tournament |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | September 6, 1981 | Kobe Municipal Central Stadium |  Hyōgo Prefecture |  England | L 0-4 | Seikō Ichihara | Portopia '81 |
| 2 | January 26, 1986 |  Jakarta |  India | W 7-0 | Ryohei Suzuki | Suhardto Presidential Wife Cup | |
| 3 | March 7, 1986 | Nishigaoka Soccer Stadium | Tokyo |  Chinese Taipei | L 0-2 | International Friendly | |
| 4 | July 19, 1986 |  Jesolo | Italy | L 1-5 | Italy International Tournament | ||
| 5 | July 21, 1986 | Jesolo |  Mexico | W 3-0 | Italy International Tournament | ||
| 6 | July 25, 1986 | Jesolo |  United States | L 1-3 | Italy International Tournament | ||
| 7 | July 26, 1986 | Jesolo |  China PR | L 1-2 | Italy International Tournament | ||
| 8 | September 18, 1986 | Nishigaoka Soccer Stadium | Tokyo | Italy | L 1-2 | SEIYU CUP | |
| 9 | September 23, 1986 | National Olympic Stadium | Tokyo | Italy | L 2-3 | SEIYU CUP | |
| 10 | December 14, 1986 |  Hong Kong | China PR | L 0-2 | AFC Women's Championship | ||
| 11 | December 18, 1986 | Hong Kong |  Malaysia | W 10-0 | AFC Women's Championship | ||
| 12 | December 21, 1986 | Hong Kong |  Thailand | W 4-0 | AFC Women's Championship | ||
| 13 | December 23, 1986 | Hong Kong | China PR | L 0-2 | AFC Women's Championship | ||
| 14 | August 4, 1987 | Taipei | Chinese Taipei | L 1-3 | International Friendly | ||
| 15 | August 9, 1987 | Kaohsiung | Chinese Taipei | L 1-2 | International Friendly | ||
| 16 | December 12, 1987 | Taipei | United States | L 0-1 | China Cup World Tournament | ||
| 17 | December 15, 1987 | Kaohsiung | Hong Kong | W 5-0 | China Cup World Tournament | ||
| 18 | June 1, 1988 | Guangzhou | United States | L 2-5 | Guangzhou International Tournament | ||
| 19 | June 3, 1988 | Guangzhou |  Czechoslovakia | L 1-2 | Guangzhou International Tournament | ||
| 20 | June 5, 1988 | Guangzhou |  Sweden | L 0-3 | Guangzhou International Tournament | ||
| 21 | January 12, 1989 | Xiamen |  Finland | L 0-1 | Xiamen International Tournament | ||
| 22 | January 14, 1989 | Xiamen |  Philippines | W 13-0 | Xiamen International Tournament | ||
| 23 | January 16, 1989 | Xiamen | China PR | L 0-4 | Xiamen International Tournament | ||
| 24 | December 2, 1989 | Hiratsuka Stadium | Kanagawa Prefecture |  Australia | D 2-2 | Tamotsu Suzuki | Prima Cup |
| 25 | December 4, 1989 | Akitsu Soccer Stadium | Chiba Prefecture | Australia | D 1-1 | Prima Cup | |
| 26 | December 19, 1989 | Hong Kong | Indonesia | W 11-0 | AFC Women's Championship | ||
| 27 | December 22, 1989 | Hong Kong | Hong Kong | W 3-0 | AFC Women's Championship | ||
| 28 | December 26, 1989 | Hong Kong | Chinese Taipei | L 0-1 | AFC Women's Championship | ||
| 29 | December 29, 1989 | Hong Kong | Hong Kong | W 9-0 | AFC Women's Championship | ||
| 30 | September 6, 1990 |  Seoul | South Korea | W 13-1 | International Friendly | ||
| 31 | September 9, 1990 | Busan | South Korea | W 5-0 | International Friendly | ||
| 32 | September 27, 1990 | Beijing | China PR | L 0-5 | Asian Games | ||
| 33 | September 29, 1990 | Beijing | South Korea | W 8-1 | Asian Games | ||
| 34 | October 1, 1990 | Beijing | Hong Kong | W 5-0 | Asian Games | ||
| 35 | October 3, 1990 | Beijing | Chinese Taipei | W 3-1 | Asian Games | ||
| 36 | October 6, 1990 | Beijing |  North Korea | D 1-1 | Asian Games | ||
| 37 | April 1, 1991 |  Varna |  France | L 1-3 | Varna International Tournament | ||
| 38 | April 3, 1991 | Varna | Sweden | D 2-2 | Varna International Tournament | ||
| 39 | April 5, 1991 | Varna |  Hungary | W 2-0 | Varna International Tournament | ||
| 40 | May 26, 1991 | Heiwadai Athletic Stadium | Fukuoka Prefecture | North Korea | W 1-0 | AFC Women's Championship | |
| 41 | May 28, 1991 | Heiwadai Athletic Stadium | Fukuoka Prefecture | Hong Kong | W 4-1 | AFC Women's Championship | |
| 42 | June 1, 1991 | Fukuoka Prefectural Kasuga Park Stadium | Fukuoka Prefecture | Malaysia | W 12-0 | AFC Women's Championship | |
| 43 | June 6, 1991 | Higashi-Hirao Park Hakatanomori Athletic Stadium | Fukuoka Prefecture | Chinese Taipei | D 0-0 (PK 5-4) | AFC Women's Championship | |
| 44 | June 8, 1991 | Higashi-Hirao Park Hakatanomori Athletic Stadium | Fukuoka Prefecture | China PR | L 0-5 | AFC Women's Championship | |
| 45 | August 21, 1991 | Dalian | China PR | D 0-0 | International Friendly | ||
| 46 | November 17, 1991 | Foshan |  Brazil | L 0-1 | FIFA Women's World Cup | ||
| 47 | November 19, 1991 | Foshan | Sweden | L 0-8 | FIFA Women's World Cup | ||
| 48 | November 21, 1991 | Foshan | United States | L 0-3 | FIFA Women's World Cup |
4. Honors
Throughout her career, Mayumi Kaji received individual recognition for her contributions to the sport.
- L.League Best Eleven: 1989 (1st season)
5. Retirement and Later Life
Mayumi Kaji retired from professional football after the 1991 FIFA Women's World Cup, with her final international appearance also occurring at this tournament. Since then, she has been recognized as a former Japanese women's football player. Specific details about her post-retirement activities or personal life are not widely documented.