Gen Shōji

Kashima Antlers

Born in Kobe, Japan, Shōji started playing football when he was two years old, starting out in a forward position. His performance when he was in fourth grade playing against the sixth grade attracted attention from Fresca Kobe U12 (Hyogo Prefecture), who signed him. He joined Gamba Osaka Junior Youth during middle school and then Yonago Kita High School. While at Yonago Kita High School, Shoji switched to playing in the centre–back position, a position he played today. At first, Shoji was unhappy with the team's decision to switch him into the centre–back position, but over time, he accepted playing in the position. It was announced on 30 September 2010 that Shoji would be joining Kashima Antlers from 1 January 2011. Ahead of the 2011 season, Shoji was registered to the Kashima Antlers’ first team in January. He spoke about his expectations at his new club, saying: "In 2011, I want to work hard without losing, so that the directors and supporters can recognize me. I want to try out what I can do. I want to do my best to help my team." He first appeared in the first team for Kashima Antlers as an unused substitute, in a 1–1 draw against Suwon Samsung Bluewings in the AFC Champions League. From that moment on, Shoji spent months on the substitute bench, due to Daiki Iwamasa, Takeshi Aoki and Masahiko Inoha. On 12 October 2011 he made his Kashima Antlers debut, starting the whole game, in a 2–0 win against University of Tsukuba in the second round of…

It was announced on 1 October 2014 that Shoji was called up for the Japan's squad for the first time by Manager Javier Aguirre. However, he withdrew from the squad, due to an injury. Two months later, it was announced that Shoji was called up for the national team ahead of the AFC Asian Cup in Australia. However, he appeared as an unused substitute throughout the tournament. On 31 March 2015 Shoji made his Japan debut against Uzbekistan in a friendly match, starting the whole game, as he helped the side beat Uzbekistan 5–1. A year later on 3 June 2016, Shoji made another appearance for Japan, coming on as the 84th-minute substitute, in a 7–2 win against Bulgaria. In December 2017, he was called up to the national team squad for the EAFF E-1 Football Championship as a host. Shoji captained Japan for the first time in his career and led the side to beat North Korea 1–0. In a follow–up match against China, he scored his first Japan goal, which turns out to be a winning goal, in a 2–1 win. However, Japan lost 4–1 to South Korea in a deciding match, which resulted in the opposition team becoming champions in the tournament. After the match, Shoji reflected on the loss, saying: "Today, Korea was amazing. There were a lot of things we had to follow. Of course, duels and balls, but it was quick to make blocks. It was ambiguous about today. I think it was a sad game." In May 2018, Shoji was named in Japan's preliminary squad for the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia. Eventually, he made…

Club

As of the 25 December 2023

International

As of 8 November 2019

Scores and results list Tem Japan's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Shoji goal.

When Shoji was two years old, Great Hanshin earthquake struck in his hometown. He said about the thoughts, saying: "I listened to my father and mother and did some research on my own. You must never forget. I want to do my best on behalf of Kobe as long as I carry the country, regardless of whether I go to the match or not." His father works as the chief of the technical committee chairman of the Hyogo Football Association. Shoji has an older sister, Kaede, who is an actress. In January 2017, Shoji announced his marriage to a general woman, which took place in the previous October. Outside of football, he said he watches movies, stating it has helped him relive stress.