# Nao Shikata > Japanese association football player **Wikidata**: [Q11419910](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q11419910) **Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nao_Shikata) **Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/nao-shikata ## Summary Nao Shikata is a Japanese association football player born on November 5, 1979. She is known for her professional playing career, which spanned from 1995 to 2007, and her educational affiliation with Kanagawa University. ## Biography - **Born:** November 5, 1979 - **Nationality:** Japan - **Education:** Kanagawa University - **Known for:** Professional career as an association football player (1995–2007) - **Employer(s):** Not specified in source material - **Field(s):** Association football (soccer) ## Contributions Nao Shikata's primary contribution to the field of sports is her active participation in association football. Her career as a player lasted for 12 years, beginning in 1995 and concluding in 2007. During this period, she contributed to the sport as a female athlete representing Japan. ## FAQs **Q: What is Nao Shikata's date of birth?** A: Nao Shikata was born on November 5, 1979. **Q: Where did Nao Shikata attend university?** A: She attended Kanagawa University, a private institution located in Yokohama, Japan, which was founded in 1928 by Yoshimori Yoneda. **Q: What are the different written forms of Nao Shikata's name?** A: Her name is written in Japanese as 四方菜穂 and in Kana as しかた なお (Shikata Nao). **Q: How long was Nao Shikata's professional career?** A: Her work period as an association football player ranged from 1995 to 2007. **Q: What is Nao Shikata's height?** A: Her height is recorded as 165.0. ## Why They Matter Nao Shikata is significant as a Japanese female athlete who competed during a pivotal era for women's football in Japan, coinciding with events like the 1991 recession and the 1998 Nagano Winter Olympics. Her affiliation with Kanagawa University connects her athletic profile to a major academic center known for research and higher education in the Kanagawa Prefecture. By maintaining a professional career from 1995 to 2007, she represents the generation of players that helped sustain and grow the visibility of women's association football in the country prior to the Japan national team's later global successes. ## Notable For - **Active Career Span:** Played association football professionally from 1995 to 2007. - **Educational Affiliation:** Attended Kanagawa University, a private university with over 18,000 social media followers and a significant research institute. - **Identity Codes:** Holds a Freebase ID of /g/120t4n7y. - **Physical Attributes:** Recorded height of 165.0. - **Name Representation:** Her name is documented in multiple scripts, including Kanji (四方菜穂) and Kana (しかた なお). ## Body ### Identity and Personal Background Nao Shikata is a human and a citizen of Japan. Her name is represented in Japanese characters as 四方菜穂 and in the Kana syllabary as しかた なお (Shikata Nao). She was born on November 5, 1979. Physically, she has a recorded height of 165.0. In digital knowledge bases, she is identified by the Freebase ID /g/120t4n7y. ### Nationality and Context As a Japanese national, Shikata hails from an island country in East Asia located in the Pacific Ocean. Japan is a sovereign state with a unitary parliamentary constitutional monarchy and a population of approximately 125 million people. The country operates under the Constitution of Japan, which established the modern state on May 3, 1947, with Tokyo as its de facto capital. The nation is recognized for its advanced economy, distinct culture, and technological innovation, and is a member of major international organizations including the G7, G20, and the United Nations. ### Education Nao Shikata's educational background includes an affiliation with Kanagawa University. This institution is a private university located in Yokohama, Japan, situated at coordinates 35.48496111 latitude and 139.62048056 longitude. Founded in 1928 by Yoshimori Yoneda, the university is often referred to by the short name "Jindai" (神大). It is a major academic center that operates under the jurisdiction of the Japanese Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT). As of February 1, 2016, the chairperson of the university has been Yoshio Kaneko. The university is notable for its "Research Institute for Integrated Science" and is a member of the Japan Consortium for Open Access Repository. ### Career and Occupation Nao Shikata is defined by her occupation as an association football player, a role involving the playing of association football (soccer). Her professional work period began in 1995 and ended in 2007. This 12-year career places her within the history of Japanese sports during a time that included significant national events such as the 2002 FIFA World Cup, which Japan co-hosted. Her specific team affiliations or statistical records during this period are not detailed in the provided source material, but the timeline establishes her as an active participant in the sport during the late 20th and early 21st centuries.