Naomichi Ueda

Early career

Born in Uto, Kumamoto, Japan, Ueda began playing football when he was at third grade elementary school. Ueda then attended Uto City Sumiyoshi Junior High School and Kumamoto Prefectural Ohzu High School. While at high school, he started in a forward but switched to a centre–back position. Ueda was impressed by Manager Kazunori Hiraoka, who described him as "a very rare material in Japan". Ueda, himself, spoke out about his development and playing in the centre–back position. He also became a captain for Kumamoto Prefectural Otsu High School. His performance at high school attracted clubs from J. League clubs, such as, Urawa Red Diamonds, Yokohama F. Marinos, Kawasaki Frontale, FC Tokyo, Nagoya Grampus and Kashima Antlers. It was announced on 4 September 2012 that Shoji would be joining Kashima Antlers from 1 January 2013.

Kashima Antlers

Ueda made his first-team debut for Kashima Antlers in the J. League Cup on 23 March 2013 against F.C. Tokyo in which he started and played the whole 90 minutes as Kashima lost the match 4–2. Two months later on 22 May 2013, Ueda made another appearance for the side, starting the whole game, in a 2–1 loss against Cerezo Osaka. He later played a role against Sony Sendai in the second round of the Emperor's Cup on 7 September 2013, setting up the club's first goal of the game, in a 3–0 win. However, Ueda found his first team opportunities limited in his first season at Kashima Antlers and appeared as an unused…

Youth career

In July 2010, Ueda was called up to the Japan U16 squad for the first time during his time at Kumamoto Prefectural Otsu High School. He made his Japan U16 debut on 6 August 2010 and helped the side beat United Arab Emirates U16 1–0. Later in 2010, Ueda was called up to the national team squad for the AFC U-16 Championship in Uzbekistan. Ueda started the tournament well when he scored Japan's U16 in a 6–0 win against Vietnam U16 on 25 October 2010. Ueda helped Japan U16 progress through the tournament before being eliminated by North Korea U16 in the semi–finals. Ueda was a part of the Japan U17 side that participated in the 2011 FIFA U-17 World Cup. He started in all of Japan's five fixtures during the tournament as the team made it all the way to the quarter-finals. During the tournament. Ueda scored one goal during the tournament against the Argentina U17s in which he found the net in the 20th minute as Japan went on to win the match 3–1. A month after the end of the FIFA U-17 World Cup, Ueda was called up to the Japan U18 squad for the SBS Cup. He started all three matches in the tournament, Japan U18 finished as runner-up. In March 2012, Ueda was called up to the Japan U19 squad. He made his Japan U19 debut, starting the whole game, in a 4–2 win against beat United Arab Emirates U19. Five month later in August 2012, Ueda was called up to the squad once again for the SBS Cup. He played all three matches in the tournament, Japan U19 finished as a…

Club

As of match played 6 December 2025

International

As of 15 July 2025

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

Growing up, Ueda did Taekwondo when he first started in the second grade after his parents recommended him and continued to practice. However, Ueda stopped taking lessons after he entered junior high school to focus on his football career. He said he idolised Carles Puyol.