is a Japanese former professional footballer who played as a midfielder. He played for Japan national team.

Club career Ogasawara was born in Morioka on 5 April 1979. After graduating from high school, he joined J1 League club Kashima Antlers in 1998. He debuted in April 1998 and played many matches as offensive midfielder from 1999. In 2000, he became a regular midfielder and Antlers won the champions all three major title in Japan; J1 League, J.League Cup and Emperor's Cup first time in J1 League history. At Emperor's Cup Final, he scored two goals and contributed to won the champions. The club also won the champions 2001 J1 League for two consecutiveyears. In Final at 2002 J.League Cup, he scored a winning goal and Antlers won the champions. He was also selected MVP award.Kashima Antlers He was also selected Best Eleven award in J1 League for five consecutive years (2001-2005).

In August 2006, Ogasawara moved to Italy and signed with Serie A club Messina Peloro on loan. However he could not play many matches.

In July 2007, Ogasawara returned to Antlers. He played many matches as defensive midfielder and Antlers won the champions in J1 League for the first time in six years. Antlers also won the champions in 2007 Emperor's Cup. Antlers won the champions in J1 League for three consecutive seasons (2007-2009). In 2009, he was selected MVP award. From 2010 season, Antlers won the champions 2010 Emperor's Cup, 2011, 2012 and 2015 J.League Cup. He was also MVP award in 2015 J.League Cup. In 2016, Antlers won the champions in J1 League and qualified for 2016 Club World Cup as host country champions. At Club World Cup, he played three matches and won the second place. Antlers also won the champions in 2016 Emperor's Cup. From 2017, his opportunity to play decreased. In 2018, Antlers won the champions in AFC Champions League first Asian title in the club history. He retired end of 2018 season.

International career In April 1999, Ogasawara was selected Japan U-20 national team for 1999 World Youth Championship. At this tournament, he played all 7 matches as offensive midfielder and Japan won the 2nd place.

On 21 March 2002, Ogasawara debuted for Japan national team under manager Philippe Troussier against Ukraine.Japan National Football Team Database In June, he was selected Japan for 2002 World Cup. He played a match against Tunisia. Japan qualified to the knockout stage first time in Japan's history.

After 2002 World Cup, Ogasawara played many matches as starting member under manager Zico. He was selected Japan for 2003 Confederations Cup and 2004 Asian Cup. At 2004 Asian Cup, although he played only 2 matches, Japan won the champions. In 2005, he was selected Japan for 2005 Confederations Cup and played all 3 matches. In 2006, he was selected Japan for 2006 World Cup. Although he played 2 matches, Japan was eliminated in the group stages.

After 2006 World Cup, Ogasawara was not selected Japan for generational change. In February 2010, he was selected Japan by manager Takeshi Okada. He played for Japan for the first time in 4 years. He played 55 games and scored 7 goals for Japan until 2010.

Career statistics

Club + Appearances and goals by club, season and competitionKashima Antlers until 2017Kashima Antlers career total ClubSeasonLeagueNational cupLeague cupContinentalOtherTotalDivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsKashima Antlers1998J1 League50210021–9219991541050–00214200028354524120441020012473230-313310200227450316010425200327743313031401220042873020––337200530112000––321120062030021––224Messina Peloro2006/07Serie A6120–––81Kashima Antlers2007J1 League1445131––2262008245002071103462009323402171–4552010333502161104752011311103060–41120123124070–1043220133323050-1042220143321040––3822015291005050–39120163006040–80480201717030204010270201814020106010240Career total53170591163856523273296

International + Appearances and goals by national team and yearNational teamYearAppsGoalsJapan200280200380200412220051542006101200700200800200900201020Total557

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

+ List of international goals scored by Mitsuo OgasawaraNo.DateVenueOpponentScoreResultCompetition1 7 February 2004 Kashima, Japan 4–0 Friendly2 9 June 2004 Saitama, Japan 7–0 2006 FIFA World Cup qualification3 2 February 2005 Saitama, Japan 3–0 Friendly4 9 February 2005 Saitama, Japan 2–1 2006 FIFA World Cup qualification5 3 June 2005 Madinat 'Isa, Bahrain 1–0 2006 FIFA World Cup qualification6 7 September 2005 Rifu, Japan 5–4 Friendly7 18 February 2006 Fukuroi, Japan 2–0 Friendly

Honours Kashima Antlers J1 League – 1998, 2000, 2001, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2016 Emperor's Cup – 2000, 2007, 2010, 2016 J.League Cup – 2000, 2002, 2011, 2012, 2015 Japanese Super Cup – 1999, 2009, 2010, 2017 A3 Champions Cup – 2003 FIFA Club World Cup: 2016 Runner-up. AFC Champions League - 2018

Japan FIFA World Youth Championship – 1999 (Runner-up) AFC Asian Cup – 2004

Individual J.League Most Valuable Player – 2009 Japanese Footballer of the Year – 2009 J.League Best Eleven – 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2009 J. League Cup MVP – 2002

References

External links

Japan National Football Team Database

Mitsuo Ogasawara at Kashima Antlers