is a Japanese professional footballer who plays as a defender for Women's Super League club Everton and the Japan national team.
Club career Kitagawa was born in Kanazawa on May 10, 1997. After graduating from JFA Academy Fukushima, she joined Urawa Reds in 2015. She played as regular right side back from first season. However her opportunity to play decreased from 2017. In September 2018, she moved to Albirex Niigata.Albirex Niigata
On 19 August 2024, Kitagawa was announced at BK Häcken, becoming the first Japanese player to play for the club.
In July 2025, Kitagawa signed for Women's Super League club Everton. On her debut for the club, she scored against Manchester City in the 82nd minute on 24 September 2025.
International career Kitagawa played for Japan U-17 national team at 2014 U-17 World Cup and Japan U-20 national team at 2016 U-20 World Cup. Japan won the championship in 2014 and took third place in 2016.FIFA In 2017, she was selected by the Japan national team for the 2017 Algarve Cup. On March 1, she played against Spain. She played five games for Japan in 2017.
On 14 June 2024, Kitagawa was included in the Japan squad for the 2024 Summer Olympics.
Kitagawa was part of the Japan squad that won the 2025 SheBelieves Cup.
Career statistics Club
+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competitionClubSeasonLeagueNational cupLeague cupContinentalTotalDivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsUrawa Reds2015Nadeshiko League1200000—1202016Nadeshiko League1731082—2652017Nadeshiko League614060—1612018Nadeshiko League800030—110Total4345017200656Albirex Niigata2018Nadeshiko League710000—712019Nadeshiko League1302150—2012020Nadeshiko League1810000—1812021–22WE League201—20—2212022–23WE League1803050—260Total7635112000934INAC Kobe Leonessa2023–24WE League2264250—318BK Häcken2024Damallsvenskan7152—201432025Damallsvenskan101———101Total172520020244Everton2025–26Women's Super League1512031—2022026–27Women's Super League200000—20Total171203100222Career total175162152732024424
International
+ Appearances and goals by national team and yearNational teamYearAppsGoalsJapan201750202210202482202590202680Total312
Scores and results list Japan's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Kitagawa goal.
+ List of international goals scored by Hikaru KitagawaNo.DateVenueOpponentScoreResultCompetition131 July 2024Stade de la Beaujoire, Nantes, France3–13–12024 Summer Olympics226 October 2024Japan National Stadium, Tokyo, Japan1–04–0Friendly
Honours INAC Kobe Leonessa Empress's Cup: 2023
U17 Japan AFC U-16 Women's Championship: 2013 FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup: 2014
Japan U20 AFC U-19 Women's Championship: 2015
Japan AFC Women's Asian Cup: 2026 EAFF E-1 Football Championship: 2022 SheBelieves Cup: 2025
References
External links
Japan Football Association