User:Petewarrior/sandbox/Yuka Kageyama

2015-2018: Early career, acting debut
In 2015, Kageyama took part in the second AKB48 Group Draft Conference. She advanced to the final round, but was not selected to become a trainee.

On May 8, 2016, Kageyama passed the audition for Hiragana Keyakizaka46 and joined Neru Nagahama as a first generation member of the group. She was introduced to the public on May 11. Within the group, Kageyama is noted for her abilities in both academics and sports, which are often shown in her television appearances, in addition to her singing skills.

In 2017, Kageyama appeared with the other Hiragana Keyakizaka46 members in the mystery drama Re:Mind, aired on TV Tokyo and Netflix. Real Sound praised her "impactful" performance as the hidden mastermind, her insane nature "flickering" as she calmly explains her plan during the reveal.

2018-2020: Academic hiatus
On June 1, 2018, Kageyama announced that she was going into hiatus to prepare for the University of Tokyo entrance examinations.

During her hiatus, Kageyama won a bronze medal in the 2018 Japan Philosophy and Ethics Grand Prix. She also obtained various qualifications during the COVID-19 stay-home period, including World Heritage Certification (Japan) Level 2, News and Current Affairs Proficiency Certification Level 2, Real Estate Knowledge Certification, Pharmacy Certification Level 1, Dental Assistant, and Psychological Counselor.

In March 2019, Hiragana Keyakizaka46 was rebranded into Hinatazaka46. Kageyama did not appear in Hinatazaka46's first four singles; her first appearance in a Hinatazaka46 music release was in the 2020 album Hinatazaka. However, she did make a "surprise" appearance in the group's 2019 photo book, Tachikogi.

2020: Resumption of activities, football talk show appearances
Kageyama resumed entertainment activities on May 26, 2020 with a post on her official blog.

Kageyama is an association football enthusiast and played regularly in a local boys' team before joining Hiragana Keyakizaka46. Her catchphrases include "The soccer-loving girl" and "The Gegenpress in your heart", the latter being a reference to the football term Gegenpressing. She holds a Class 4 referee qualification, and regularly writes about the Japanese league in her blog in a series titled "Yūka Kageyama's WE LOVE J-League". Her favorite teams include Sanfrecce Hiroshima, Borussia Dortmund, and Leeds United F.C.

In July, Kageyama guested for the first time in the TV Tokyo football talk show . She was appointed the show's Special Analyst in October thanks to her knowledge in football strategy. Former Japan national football team player Tsuyoshi Kitazawa considers her the "number one football enthusiast in the idol world".

In October, Kageyama guested for the first time on Atsuto Uchida's Football Time, hosted by former FC Schalke 04 player Atsuto Uchida, and has been a regular guest since then.

In December, Kageyama co-hosted her first self-titled football talk show miniseries on Hikari TV Channel with former Japan national team captain Yuji Nakazawa, titled Yuji Nakazawa and Yūka Kageyama's Talking Football. The show ran for three episodes.

2021: Feature film debut, FIFA 22 ambassador
In an early Hiragana Oshi episode, Kageyama listed actresses Kanna Hashimoto and Erika Toda as the people she admired.

On March 18, 2021, it was announced that Kageyama would have her first film appearance in Kaguya-sama: Love Is War Final, co-starring Kanna Hashimoto. The film was released on August 20. Real Sound positively commented on her "funny expressions" and that her intelligent image fitted her character, Miko Iino.

In May 2021, Kageyama announced that her fandom name would be Kagesapo (カゲサポ), which is short for "Kageyama Supporters".

On May 24, it was announced that Kageyama would have her first voice acting role as Ayame Ebina in the animated adaptation of the football manga Farewell, My Dear Cramer, which would be broadcast on Tokyo MX. She would also serve as the production's "support manager".

In August 2021, Kageyama and fellow Hinatazaka46 members Mei Higashimura and Konoka Matsuda were appointed support ambassadors for the DAZN streaming service's AFC Asian Cup Qualifications "Road to Qatar" campaign. Kageyama would also produce football-related video content for the campaign.

In September, Kageyama was appointed the Japan Ambassador for the football simulation video game FIFA 22. Prior to her appointment, she had also participated in the promotion of FIFA 21 and played the game in various television shows and public events.

In the same month, it was announced that Kageyama would be the "fair character" (representative) for the twentienth anniversary fair of book publisher Kobunsha's "Kobunsha New Books" (光文社新書) product line in October, also called "Alan-chan's Coming of Age Ceremony" in reference to the line's official mascot. Fellow Hinatazaka46 member Manamo Miyata would also participate in the "Kobunsha Classics" fifteenth anniversary fair.

2022: Radio personality debut, FIFA talk show host
On April 1, 2022, the pre-lunchtime radio program Lawson presents Hinatazaka46's Hot Hitoiki, co-hosted by Kageyama and Mirei Sasaki, started airing on Tokyo FM.

On May 28, the 2022 FIFA World Cup talk show FIFA World Cup 64, co-produced by TV Asahi and Abema and co-hosted by Kageyama, started airing.