After graduating in 1986, he joined Japan Soccer League side Mazda.

Maekawa was transferred to J2 League side Oita Trinita in 2000 before retiring from the game after the 2001 season.

[1] His first cap came on June 7, 1992 in a friendly against Wales in Ehime Matsuyama Athletic Stadium.

He played 2 games after first-choice keeper Shigetatsu Matsunaga was shown a red card in the semi-final against China.

After finishing his playing career, he remained at Oita Trinita and worked in the areas of marketing, operations and developments until 2005.