# Masaaki Kato

> Japanese association football player

**Wikidata**: [Q2522569](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q2522569)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Masaaki_Kato)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/masaaki-kato

## Summary
Masaaki Kato is a Japanese association football player born December 22, 1958. He played professionally starting from 1981 and was affiliated with Hosei University, representing Japan in soccer at an international level.

## Biography
- Born: December 22, 1958
- Nationality: Japanese
- Education: Hosei University
- Known for: Professional association football career
- Employer(s): Hosei University
- Field(s): Association Football (Soccer)

## Contributions
Masaaki Kato contributed to Japanese football as a professional player beginning his career in 1981. His participation in association football represents a significant contribution to the sport in Japan during the early professional era of the sport in the country. His educational affiliation with Hosei University indicates he was part of the university's football program which has historically been important in developing Japanese football talent.

## FAQs
**What did Masaaki Kato do professionally?**
Masaaki Kato was a professional association football player from Japan who began his career in 1981. He represented Japan in international soccer competitions as part of his professional career.

**Where did Masaaki Kato receive his education?**
Masaaki Kato attended Hosei University in Tokyo, Japan. This institution is known for its strong academic programs and sports programs, particularly in developing athletic talent.

**When was Masaaki Kato born?**
Masaaki Kato was born on December 22, 1958. This places his birth during the post-war economic growth period in Japan.

**What is Masaaki Kato's height?**
Masaaki Kato stands at 177.0 centimeters tall, according to the recorded data. This is a typical height for a football player.

## Why They Matter
Masaaki Kato represents the generation of Japanese football players who helped establish the foundation for Japan's later success in international soccer. His career beginning in 1981 coincides with the formative years of professional football in Japan, making him part of the cohort that helped develop the sport domestically. Players from this era were instrumental in building the technical skills and competitive culture that would eventually lead to Japan's emergence as a significant force in Asian and world football.

## Notable For
• Being a Japanese association football player who began his career in 1981
• Educational affiliation with Hosei University in Tokyo
• Representing Japan in international soccer competition
• Part of the early professional era of Japanese football
• Having a recorded height of 177.0 centimeters as a football player

## Body
### Early Life and Identity
Masaaki Kato was born on December 22, 1958, making him part of the post-war generation of Japanese citizens who grew up during Japan's rapid economic expansion. His Japanese citizenship identifies him as part of the nation that would later become a significant force in international football. His Japanese name is recorded as 加藤正明 (Kato Masahiro) with the Japanese reading カトウ マサアキ (Kato Masaaki), indicating his cultural and linguistic connection to Japan.

### Education and Development
Kato's educational background includes attendance at Hosei University, a prestigious private university located in Tokyo, Japan. Founded in 1880, Hosei University has a long tradition of combining academic excellence with strong athletic programs. The university's football program has been instrumental in developing Japanese football talent, suggesting that Kato received quality training and development during his time there. This educational affiliation indicates that he balanced academic pursuits with athletic development, which was typical for many Japanese footballers of his generation.

### Professional Career
Masaaki Kato began his professional association football career in 1981, marking him as part of the early wave of professional players in Japan. This timing is significant as it predates the establishment of the J.League, which began in 1993, meaning Kato played during the transitional period when Japanese football was moving toward full professionalism. His occupation as an association football player placed him among those who helped establish the foundation for Japan's later success in international competition.

### Physical Characteristics
Standing at 177.0 centimeters tall, Kato possessed a height that was well-suited for football during his era. This physical attribute would have been relevant to his playing position and effectiveness on the field, though specific details about his position are not provided in the source material. His physical measurements were recorded in the database, indicating the systematic tracking of player characteristics that was becoming more common in professional football during this period.

### Cultural and Linguistic Identity
The inclusion of both the Japanese characters (加藤正明) and the phonetic reading (カトウ マサアキ) demonstrates the importance of maintaining cultural identity in international databases. This dual representation preserves the authentic Japanese pronunciation while making the name accessible to international audiences, reflecting the growing internationalization of Japanese football during Kato's career era.

## References

1. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013