In 2007, Kagawa was selected the Japan U-20 national team for 2007 U-20 World Cup and played 2 matches. On May 24, 2008, he debuted for the Japan national team under manager Takeshi Okada against Ivory Coast. In August 2008, he also played for Japan U-23 national team at 2008 Summer Olympics. However he was not selected Japan for 2010 World Cup. After the 2010 World Cup, he became a regular player under new manager Alberto Zaccheroni and wore the "number 10" shirt for Japan as Shunsuke Nakamura successor. In 2011, he participated 2011 Asian Cup. He played 5 matches and scored 2 goals. Although he could not play at the final for injury, Japan won the champions. He also played at 2013 Confederations Cup, 2014 World Cup and 2015 Asian Cup. In 2018, he was selected the Japan for 2018 World Cup. He played 3 matches and scored 1 goal against Colombia national team in the first match. Japan qualified to the knockout stage. He played 97 games and scored 31 goals for Japan until 2019.