Kawaguchi was born inFunabashi, Chiba in Japan. She began skating at the age of five because her mother was a fan of ice dancing.[5]
She studied international relations atSt. Petersburg State University, completing her degree in June 2007.[5] In addition to her native Japanese, she is also fluent in Russian and English.[6]
In international competition, Kavaguti ispairs skater.[7] She represents Russia with Alexander Smirnov.
Kavaguti became a Russian citizen so that she would qualify for a spot on the Russian Olympic team.[3] Japan does not allowdual nationality, so she was obliged to give up her Japanese citizenship in order to compete for Russia.[6][8]
Order of the President of the Russian Federation’For services to the development of physical culture and sports, high athletic achievements at the XXI Olympic Games 2010 in Vancouver’ (March 5, 2010)[16]
The Best in the Sport of St. Petersburg (February 2010)[17]