end of the season, he went on to make forty appearances and scoring two times in all competitions. In the 2015 season, Shoji made his AFC Champions League debut, starting the whole game, as Kashima Anthlers lost 1–0 against Western Sydney Wanderers. However, he fractured his hand and was sidelined for weeks. It wasn't until on 22 March 2015 when Shoji returned to the starting line-up, starting the whole game, in a 1–1 draw against Nagoya Grampus. Since returning to the first team, he continued to regain his first team place for the side. It wasn't until on 29 April 2015 when Shoji scored his first goal of the season, in a 2–1 win against Vegalta Sendai. By mid–May, he began to play in the left–back position from May to June. It wasn't until on 11 July 2015 when Shoji scored his second goal of the season, in a 3–2 win against Albirex Niigata. Two weeks later on 25 July 2015, he scored his third goal of the season, in a 2–1 win against FC Tokyo However, Shoji suffered an injury in the 20th minute and had to be substituted during a 2–2 draw against FC Tokyo in the quarter–finals of the J. League Cup first leg. It wasn't until on 26 September 2015 when he made his return from injury, starting the whole match, in a 2–1 loss against Urawa Red Diamonds. A month later, Shoji played in both legs against Vissel Kobe in the semi–finals of the J.League Cup and helped the side reach the final after winning 6–2 on aggregate. In the J.League Cup against Gamba Osaka, he started the match and helped the side with a clean sheet by beating them 3–0 to win the tournament. Following the tournament, Shoji helped the side keep two more clean sheets in the last two remaining league matches of the season. At the end of the 2015 season, he went on to make thirty–eight appearances and scoring three times in all competitions. In the 2016 season, Shoji started the season when he helped Kashima Antlers keep two clean sheets in the first two league matches of the season. Since the start of the season, Shoji continued to regain his first team place, playing in the centre–back position. It wasn't until on 6 April 2016 when he scored his first goal of the season, in a 3–1 win against Nagoya