Ao Tanaka is a promising defensive midfielder with fine technique and aggressive ball-winning capability.

He can play at the bottom of midfield and centre back being able to contribute to a team in both attcking and defensive parts of game.

Ao grew up through the academy of Kawasaki Frontale since U-12 and was promoted to the top team in 2017.

He made his J1 league debut and scored his first goal against Consadole Sapporo in Sep. 2018.

Since 2019, Ao has become a crucial central midfielder at Kawasaki where a number of top quality players are, 

and he was awarded for Best Young Player in 2019 season.

In 2020, Ao secured his starting position throughout the season being huge contribution to the club winning J1 league and the Emperor's Cup. 

He was awarded for 2020 J.League Best Eleven Players. 

He played as a member of U-22 Japan national team for the 47th Toulon International Tournament 2019.

Japan got runner-up and Ao was awarded Best eleven in the Tournament.