Japan national football team

Men's association football team

This article is about the men's team. For the women's team, see Japan women's national football team.

Japan

Nickname(s)| サムライ・ブルー
(Samurai Blue)[1][2]
Since 19 October 2009[3]
Association| Japan Football Association (JFA)
Confederation| AFC (Asia)
Sub-confederation| EAFF (East Asia)
Head coach| Hajime Moriyasu[4][5][6]
Captain| Wataru Endō
Most caps| Yasuhito Endō (152)
Top scorer| Kunishige Kamamoto (75)[7]
Home stadium| Various
FIFA code| JPN

First colours

Second colours

|

FIFA ranking
Current|  16  2 (19 September 2024)[8]
Highest| 9 (February & March 1998 (highest achieved by any AFC member as well))
Lowest| 66 (December 1992)
First international
Japan 0–5 China
(Tokyo, Japan; 9 May 1917)
Biggest win
Japan 15–0 Philippines
(Tokyo, Japan; 27 September 1967)
Biggest defeat
Japan 2–15 Philippines
(Tokyo, Japan; 10 May 1917)
World Cup
Appearances| 7 (first in 1998)
Best result| Round of 16 (2002, 2010, 2018, 2022)
Asian Cup
Appearances| 11 (first in 1988)
Best result| Champions (1992, 2000, 2004, 2011)
Copa América (as guest)
Appearances| 2 (first in 1999)
Best result| Group stage (1999, 2019)
EAFF Championship
Appearances| 9 (first in 2003)
Best result| Champions (2013, 2022)
FIFA Confederations Cup
Appearances| 5 (first in 1995)
Best result| Runners-up (2001)

Medal record

Men's football
Olympic Games
| 1968 Mexico | Team
FIFA Confederations Cup
| 2001 Korea/Japan | Team
Asian Cup
| 1992 Japan | Team
| 2000 Lebanon | Team
| 2004 China | Team
| 2011 Qatar | Team
| 2019 UAE | Team
Asian Games
| 1951 New Delhi | Team
| 1966 Bangkok | Team
EAFF Championship
| 2013 South Korea | Team
| 2022 Japan | Team
| 2003 Japan | Team
| 2005 South Korea | Team
| 2008 China | Team
| 2017 Japan | Team
| 2019 South Korea | Team
| 2010 Japan | Team

Website| Japanese
English

The Japan national football team (サッカー日本代表, Sakkā Nihon Daihyō or Sakkā Nippon Daihyō), also known by the nickname Samurai Blue (サムライ・ブルー, Samurai Burū),[1][2] represents Japan in men's international football. It is controlled by the Japan Football Association (JFA), the governing body for football in Japan. As of July 2024, the Japan national football team has been the best AFC national team since the 22nd of December 2022, for almost up to 2 years in a row.[10] Japan is the most successful team in Asia with 4 AFC Asian Cup titles.[11]

Until the end of the 1980s, Japan was a small and amateur team. For a long time in the country, football was less popular than baseball and sumo.[12][13] Since the 1990s, when Japanese football became fully professionalized, Japan has emerged as one of the most successful teams in Asia; they have qualified for the last seven FIFA World Cups (especially 2002 as co-hosts with South Korea) with knockout stage appearances that year, and in 2010, 2018 and 2022. They have won the AFC Asian Cup a record four times, in 1992, 2000, 2004 and 2011. The team also finished second in the 2001 FIFA Confederations Cup and the 2019 AFC Asian Cup. Japan remains the only team from the AFC other than Australia and Saudi Arabia to have reached the final of a senior FIFA men's competition.

Japan's progression in a short period has served as an inspiration and example of how to develop football.[14][15] Their principal continental rivals are South Korea and, most recently, Australia; they also developed rivalries against Iran and Saudi Arabia.

Japan was the first team from outside the Americas to participate in the Copa América, having been invited in the 1999, 2011, 2015, and 2019 editions of the tournament, though they only played in the 1999 and 2019 events.[16]

## History

[edit]

### Pre-war era (1910s–1930s)

[edit]

Far Eastern Championship Games logo in 1917

Japan's earliest international matches were at the 1917 Far Eastern Championship Games in Tokyo, where it was represented by a team from the Tokyo Higher Normal School. Although Japan made strong showings in swimming, baseball, and track and field, its football team suffered resounding defeats to the Republic of China and the Philippines.[17] Nevertheless, the game was promoted in Japanese schools in the 1920s.[18] The Japan Football Association was formed in 1921,[19] and Japan joined FIFA in May 1929.[18]

Japan's first "true" national team (as opposed to a university team chosen to represent the country) was fielded at the 1930 Far Eastern Championship Games, and drew with China for the championship title.[18] Shigeyoshi Suzuki coached the national team to its first Olympic appearance at the 1936 Summer Olympics in Berlin.[19] Japan was an entrant for the 1938 FIFA World Cup qualification, but withdrew before its scheduled qualifying match against the Dutch East Indies.[20]

After World War II began in earnest, Japan did not play in international competition, except for a handful of matches against Manchuria and other colonies.[18] Its last prewar match for purposes of Elo ratings was a friendly against the Philippines in June 1940.[21]

While Korea was under Japanese rule, multiple Koreans played in international competition for Japan, including Kim Yong-sik (1936–40), Kim Sung-gan (1940) and Lee Yoo-hyung (1940).

### Post-war era (1950s–1980s)

[edit]

Japan playing Argentine club Racing de Córdoba at the 1981 President's Cup

Japan's postwar debut was in the 1951 Asian Games in India.[21] Japan re-joined FIFA in 1950 and played in qualifiers for the 1954 FIFA World Cup, but lost the AFC qualifying berth to South Korea after two matches, beginning an intense rivalry.[19] Japan also joined the Asian Football Confederation in 1954.[18]

Dettmar Cramer joined the Japan national team as coach in 1960, and helped lead the team to the round of eight at the 1964 Summer Olympics in Tokyo.[22] Japan's first major achievement in international football came in the 1968 Summer Olympics in Mexico City, where the team won the bronze medal. Although this result earned the sport increased recognition in Japan, the absence of a professional domestic league hindered its growth and Japan would not qualify for the FIFA World Cup until 30 years later.[23] Nonetheless, Japan had come close to qualify for the 1986 FIFA World Cup, but lost to South Korea in the deciding matches.

Japan made its first appearance in the Asian Cup in 1988, where they were eliminated in the group stage following a draw with Iran and losses to South Korea, the United Arab Emirates and Qatar.

The late 1980s saw concrete moves to professionalize the sport in Japan. JFA introduced a Special Licensed Player system in 1986, allowing a limited number of professional players to compete in the domestic semi-professional league. Action committees were held in 1988 and 1989 to discuss the introduction of a full professional league in Japan.[22]

### 1990s: Rise

[edit]

A World Cup match vs. Argentina in Toulouse in 1998

The 1990s was when the Japan Football Association really started to professionalize its national football team. In 1991, the owners of the semi-professional Japan Soccer League agreed to disband the league and re-form as the professional J.League, partly to raise the sport's profile and to strengthen the national team program. The following year, Japan hosted the 1992 Asian Cup and won their first title by defeating Saudi Arabia 1–0 in the final.[24] The J.League was officially launched in 1993.[25]

However, in its first attempt to qualify with professional players, Japan narrowly missed a ticket to the 1994 World Cup after drawing with Iraq in the final match of the qualification round, remembered by fans as the "Agony of Doha".[26] Japan's next tournament was a defence of their continental title at the 1996 Asian Cup. The team won all their games in the group stage but were eliminated in the quarter-finals after a 2–0 loss to Kuwait.[27]

The nation's first ever World Cup appearance was in 1998, where Japan lost all their games. The first two fixtures went 1–0 in favour of Argentina and Croatia, and the campaign ended with a 2–1 defeat to Jamaica. Japan impressed in all three games, however, with all three defeats were just one goal margin.[28]

### 2000s

[edit]

In the 2000 AFC Asian Cup, Japan managed to reclaim their title after defeating Saudi Arabia in the final, becoming Asian champions for the second time.[29]

A World Cup match vs. Belgium at Saitama Stadium 2002 on 4 June 2002

Two years later, Japan co-hosted the 2002 World Cup with South Korea. After a 2–2 draw with Belgium in their opening match, the Japanese team advanced to the second round with a 1–0 win over Russia and a 2–0 victory against Tunisia. However, they subsequently exited the tournament during the round of 16, after losing 1–0 to eventual third-place finishers Turkey.[30]

With the 2004 AFC Asian Cup hosted by China, the Japanese managed to retain the title by winning their group after two victories over Thailand and Oman, before surpassing Jordan and Bahrain. They won against China in the final 3–1.[31]

Japan against Brazil at Signal Iduna Park in Dortmund, Germany in the 2006 FIFA World Cup

On 8 June 2005, Japan qualified for the 2006 World Cup in Germany, its third consecutive World Cup, by beating North Korea 2–0 on neutral ground. However, Japan failed to advance to the round of 16, losing to Australia 1–3, drawing Croatia 0–0 and losing to Brazil 1–4.[32]

The 2007 AFC Asian Cup saw Japan failed to defend the title. Although easily winning the group Vietnam and two Arab rivals, Qatar and the UAE, the Japanese were totally exhausted in their game against Australia, where Japan won only by a penalty shootout. Japan lost to Saudi Arabia in the semi-finals,[33] before failing in the third-place match against South Korea.

### 2010s

[edit]

During the 2010 World Cup qualification, in the fourth round of the Asian Qualifiers, Japan became the first team other than the host South Africa to qualify after defeating Uzbekistan 1–0 away. Japan was drawn in Group E along with the Netherlands, Denmark and Cameroon.[34] Japan started with a 1–0 win against Cameroon,[35] before subsequently losing to the Netherlands 0–1.[36] Then, Japan resoundingly beat Denmark 3–1 to advance to the next round against Paraguay.[37] In the round of 16, Japan were eliminated from the competition following penalties after a 0–0 draw against Paraguay.[38]

After the World Cup, head coach Takeshi Okada resigned. He was replaced by former Juventus and Milan coach Alberto Zaccheroni. In his first few matches, Japan recorded victories over Guatemala (2–1) and Paraguay (1–0), as well as a 1–0 victory over Argentina.

In 2011, Japan participated in the Asian Cup in Qatar. On 29 January, they beat Australia 1–0 in the final after extra time, their fourth Asian Cup triumph and allowing them to qualify for the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup.[39]

Japan then started their road to the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. Throughout, they suffered only two losses to Uzbekistan and Jordan, and drew against Australia. Afterwards, on 12 October, Japan earned a historic 1–0 victory over France. After a 1–1 draw with Australia, they qualified for the 2014 World Cup, becoming the first nation aside from Brazil to qualify.[40]

Japan started their 2013 Confederations Cup campaign with a 3–0 loss to Brazil.[41] They were then eliminated from the competition after losing to Italy 3–4.[42] They lost their final match 1–2 against Mexico and finished in fourth place in Group A.[43] One month later, in the EAFF East Asian Cup, they started out with a 3–3 draw to China. They then beat Australia 3–2 and beat South Korea 2–1 in the third and final match in the 2013 EAFF East Asian Cup to claim the title.[44]

Japan was placed into Group C at the 2014 World Cup alongside the Ivory Coast, Greece and Colombia. They fell in their first match to Ivory Coast 2–1 after initially taking the lead, allowing two goals in a two-minute span. They drew their second game to Greece 0–0. To qualify for the second round, they needed a victory against Colombia and Greece to win against Ivory Coast. Greece beat Ivory Coast 2–1, but Colombia won 4–1, eliminating Japan from the World Cup.[45] Alberto Zaccheroni resigned as head coach.[46] In July 2014, former Mexico and Espanyol manager Javier Aguirre took over,[47] and Japan lost 0–2 to Uruguay in the first game he managed.

Japan national team vs Paraguay in 2008

Japan won its opening match at the 2015 AFC Asian Cup in Group D against Asian Cup debutantes Palestine 4–0, with goals from Yasuhito Endō, Shinji Okazaki, Keisuke Honda via a penalty and Maya Yoshida. Okazaki was named man of the match. They then faced Iraq and Jordan in their next group matches, which they won 1–0 and 2–0 respectively. They qualified to the knockout stage as Group D winner with nine points, seven goals scored and no goals conceded. In the quarter-finals, Japan lost to the United Arab Emirates in a penalty shootout after a 1–1 draw, as Honda and Shinji Kagawa missed their penalty kicks. Japan's elimination marked their worst performance in the tournament in 19 years.[48]

After the Asian Cup, Aguirre was sacked following allegations of corruption during a prior tenure.[49] He was replaced by Vahid Halilhodžić in March 2015.[50] Japan started on a rough note during qualification, losing to the UAE 1–2 at home.[51] They then picked up the pace in their other qualifier games against Iraq, Australia, and Thailand, picking up five wins and two draws. On 31 August 2017, Japan defeated Australia 2–0 at home, thus qualifying them for the 2018 World Cup in Russia, making it their sixth successive World Cup.[52] However, the Japan Football Association decided to sack Halilhodžić on 9 April 2018, only ten weeks before the World Cup, citing reasons of a breakdown in relationship between the coach and players, and poor recent friendly results, and appoint the Technical Director, Japanese coach Akira Nishino as the new manager.[53]

Japanese players before match with Iran at 2019 AFC Asian Cup

Japan made history in the 2018 World Cup by defeating Colombia 2–1, their first ever victory by any AFC team against a CONMEBOL team in an official tournament,[54] as well as Japan's first ever victory at the World Cup finals in UEFA nations. Their second match ended in a draw against Senegal, with one goal scored by Takashi Inui and the other by Keisuke Honda.[55] Japan were defeated in their last group game in the Group H against Poland 0–1,[56] leaving Japan and Senegal tied for second with an identical record; however, as Japan had received two fewer yellow cards, Japan advanced to the knockout stage on the Fair Play Points tiebreaker, the first team to do so.[57] The match with Poland caused controversy, as Japan were made aware of their advantage over Senegal with ten minutes left and decided to play an extremely conservative game with no attempts to take a shot on goal, despite losing 0–1, with some fans booing the players.[58][59][60] The match received comparison to the 1982 World Cup Disgrace of Gijón, in which a similar game was played.[61] Japan were the only AFC team to have qualified to the knockout stage.[62]

In the round of 16 against Belgium, Japan took a surprising 2–0 lead with a goal in the 48th minute by Genki Haraguchi and another in the 52nd by Takashi Inui, but yielded three goals afterwards, including the winner by Nacer Chadli on the counterattack in the 94th minute. This was Japan's third time having reached the last 16.[63] Japan's defeat to eventual third-place finishers Belgium was the first time a nation had lost a knockout match at the World Cup after taking a two-goal advantage since England lost to West Germany 3–2 in extra-time in the quarter-final of the 1970 edition.[64][65] This scenario was due to the naivety of the Japanese,[66][67][68] who were very offensive and did not fall back enough in defense once the two-goal lead was acquired, leaving a lot of space to the Belgians, who also took advantage of their well-calculated tactics and superior strategies to turn the game around. However, Japan's impressive performance was praised by fans, pundits and the media.[69]

Japan participated in the 2019 AFC Asian Cup, placing on top of group F after defeating Turkmenistan 3–2,[70] Oman 1–0[71] and Uzbekistan 2–1.[72] Japan defeated Saudi Arabia in the round of sixteen and dark horse Vietnam in the quarter-finals by a 1–0 margin.[73][74] After defeating Iran 3–0 to reach the final,[75] Japan's hope to win their fifth Asian Cup in two decades shattered with the team suffering a 1–3 loss to Qatar, who won the Asian Cup for the first time.[76]

Japan were invited to the 2019 Copa America, their second appearance at the tournament, and brought a young squad to the competition. They were placed in Group C with Uruguay, Chile and Ecuador. They lost their opening match, 0–4 to Chile.[77] Japan, however, bounced back well and managed to draw against Uruguay 2–2, who were deemed to have been saved by VAR.[78] Japan needed a win against Ecuador to qualify for the knockouts, however they drew 1–1 and missed out due to inferior goal differences to Paraguay.[79] Aftermath saw Japan played a friendly game against the Paraguayans, and won 2–0 at home.

### 2020s

[edit]

After China was removed as host of the 2022 EAFF E-1 Football Championship, it was announced that Japan was the new host. After topping the table with two wins and one draw, Japan won the competition for the second time in their history.[80]

Japan qualified for the 2022 FIFA World Cup, and were grouped with Germany, Costa Rica and Spain in Group E. On 23 November 2022, Japan produced an upset in which they beat Germany 2–1, with two goals in an eight-minute span during the second half.[81] After losing to Costa Rica 1–0,[82] going into the final matchday, every team in Japan's group can qualify or be eliminated, with no team assured of any placement. In the end, Japan managed to qualify for the knockout stages by defeating Spain 2–1 in their final group match, also contributing to Germany's elimination from the tournament.[83] By topping their group, Japan went on to face Croatia[84] in the round of 16 where Japan would lose 1–3 on penalties after a 1–1 draw.[85] It is the third team in 52 years to have come from behind twice in one tournament, following Brazil and (West) Germany.[86] They beat Spain with the lowest possession (18%) of the ball ever for a winning side since the 1966 World Cup.[87][88] It is the first time that an Asian team topped their World Cup group held outside their home country, and also the first Asian team to reach the knockouts twice in a row.[89]

With a successful World Cup behind them and a run of 10 consecutive victories in all competitions since June 2023, Japan were considered the favourites for the 2023 Asian Cup in Qatar.[90] Japan, however, were a disappointment; Hajime Moriyasu's men began the tournament with an unconvincing victory over a Vietnamese side deprived of a number of key players (4–2),[91] before going on to play a nightmarish game against Iraq (1–2). This defeat, Japan's first in the group stage since their first appearance at the continental showpiece in 1988, condemned them to finish at best second in the group due to their unfavourable head-to-head record. The Japanese sealed three points by overcoming an Indonesian team (3–1)[92] and then eliminated Bahrain by the same scoreline in the Round of 16.[93] Japan met Iran in the quarter-finals for a rematch of the previous edition's semi-final, and got the game off to a perfect start with Hidemasa Morita's 28th-minute opener, before falling completely flat in the second half, succumbing to Iran's fiery attacks and lacking the ideas to trouble Team Melli on the counter-attack, who exacted revenge and turned the match on its head thanks to some blatant defensive errors by Kō Itakura (1–2).[94] The country suffered two defeats at the Asian Cup for the first time since Japanese football turned professional in 1992. Japan conceded at least one goal in every match, many of them from avoidable errors by inexperienced goalkeeper Zion Suzuki or by their defensive hinge.[95][96][97] The squad also had to contend with an extra controversy, with the sudden departure of Junya Itō shortly before the match against Iran, with the Stade de Reims player having been accused of sexual assault.[98]

## Team image

[edit]

### Nicknames

[edit]

Japan's national football team is nicknamed the Samurai Blue (サムライ・ブルー, Samurai Burū) by the JFA.[1][2] The team also is often known by the last name of the manager. For example, under Takeshi Okada, the team was known as Okada Japan (岡田ジャパン, Okada Japan),[a] or during the 2022 World Cup, the team is referred by the current manager's (Hajime Moriyasu) name, as "Moriyasu Japan" (森保ジャパン, Moriyasu Japan).[99][100]

### Kits

[edit]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Japan national football team kits.

Boeing 777-289 Samurai Blue Jet

The national team kit design has gone through several alterations in the past.[101] In the early 1980s, the kit was white with blue trim. The kits worn for the 1992 Asian Cup consisted of white stripes (stylized to form a wing) with red diamonds. During the 1996 Asian Cup and in the 1998 World Cup, the national team kits were blue jerseys with red and white flame designs on the sleeves, and were designed by JFA (with the sponsor alternating each year between Asics, Puma, and Adidas). The 1996 design was reproduced in a special kit used against Syria on 7 June 2017.

Japan uses blue and white rather than red and white due to a superstition. Japan first used blue shirts in the 1930 Far Eastern Championship Games, where a team of the Tokyo Imperial University (whose color is light blue) represented Japan wearing light blue shirts,[102] and then in a 3–2 victory over Sweden in the first game of its maiden major international competition, the 1936 Summer Olympics.[103] When Japan was coached by Kenzo Yokoyama (1988–1992) the kits were red and white, matching the colours of Japan's national flag. After failures at 1990 FIFA World Cup and 1992 Summer Olympics qualifications, the red shirt was scrapped.

In the 2013 Confederations Cup and the 2015 AFC Asian Cup, Japan temporarily switched the colour of the numbers from white to gold.

Japan's kit is provided by German company Adidas, the team's exclusive kit supplier since April 1999.[104] Before that, Asics and Puma had been the team's official apparel sponsor alongside Adidas.

On 3 June 2021, Japan released the special 100th anniversary kit for a friendly match against Jamaica, but the match was cancelled and replaced with a match against the U-24 team. The kit was also used by the U-24 team against U-24 Ghana on 5 June 2021.

#### Kit suppliers

[edit]

Kit provider  | Period

|

None | 1936–1978
Asics | 1979
Puma | 1980–1985
Adidas | 1986
Asics | 1987–1988
Adidas | 1989–1992
Asics | 1993–1998
Adidas | 1999–present

### Crest

[edit]

Yatagarasu

The crest or emblem of the national team was adopted in late 2017 as part of a larger rebranding by the Japan Football Association.[105] The crest features the Yatagarasu, a three-legged crow from Japanese mythology that is a symbol for the sun, holding a solid red ball that is like the sun from national flag. The text "JFA" (for the Japan Football Association) is inscribed at the bottom of the crow. A red stripe is also present at the center of the shield behind the crow. The shield has a metallic gold trim and has a thicker black outline. The name of the country represented by the national team "Japan" is also inscribed within the black border.[106][107]

The previous crest used from 1996 had a shield with a more complex shape. The ball held by the Yatagarasu had white details. The text "Japan" is absent and "JFA" is written in a different typeface.[106]

Before 1988, Japan used the national flag outlined in red (and with JFA written in black on the lower left corner of the flag) on the shirts.

The Yatagarasu was first seen on the Japan shirts in 1988, where it was on a yellow circle with a blue outline with "JAPAN FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION" written around it. In 1991, the emblem changed to a white shield with a red vertical stripe on the center with the crow on it and "JFA" written in a green Gothic typeface. This crest was used until 1996.

### Home stadium

[edit]

Main article: List of football stadiums in Japan

Saitama Stadium 2002, where Japan usually plays in FIFA World Cup qualification

Japan plays its home matches among various stadiums, in rotation, around the country, especially the Saitama Stadium 2002.

### Rivalries

[edit]

#### South Korea

[edit]

Main article: Japan–South Korea football rivalry

Japan maintains a strong football rivalry with South Korea. The football rivalry is long-seated and is often seen as an extension of an overall historic rivalry between the two nations. Japan have met South Korea 80 times, trailing the statistic at 15 wins, 23 draws, and 42 losses. Japan have scored 73 goals and conceded 153. Since November 1991, when the Japan Professional Football League was launched, the record is almost even with 9 wins, 12 draws and 10 losses. Both countries have made themselves unrivalled in both Asian Cup and World Cup records, being the two most successful Asian countries, and they hosted the 2002 World Cup in a joint bid.

#### North Korea

[edit]

Japan also maintains a significant rivalry with North Korea, although the rivalry is infrequent due to political circumstances.[108] Like the rivalry against South Korea, the rivalry against North Korea is another extension of historical feud between Japan and Korea. They have met each other 20 times, with the statistic being equal with 8 wins, 4 draws and 8 losses. Since the Japan Professional Football League was launched in 1991, Japan have led the series with 6 wins, 2 draws and 4 losses. Japan have a far more dominant record with four Asian Cup titles and advanced to the knockout stage of the World Cup four times, whereas North Korea's best Asian Cup result was just fourth place in 1980 and only advanced past the group stages of a World Cup just once, a quarter-final finish at England 1966.

#### China

[edit]

Main article: China–Japan football rivalry

Japan and China used to have a strong rivalry. The rivalry was taken to new heights when Japan beat China 3–1 in the 2004 AFC Asian Cup final.[109] Previously, when Japan had not established professional football, Japan had only 4 wins, 3 draws and 13 losses against China. However, Japan's rapid rise since 1991 with the foundation of the Japan Professional Football League helped turn the tide, and the Japanese have been able to exert domination with 13 wins, 6 draws and only 2 losses. Moreover, Japan have been able to use the new professional program into senior success, qualifying to every FIFA World Cup since 1998 and winning four Asian Cups, whereas China have finished runners-up in Asia twice, and qualified for just one World Cup in 2002.

#### Australia

[edit]

Main article: Australia–Japan football rivalry

Japan began to develop a fierce rivalry with fellow Asian powerhouse Australia, shortly after the latter joined the Asian Football Confederation (AFC).[110] The rivalry is regarded as one of Asia's biggest football rivalries.[111] The rivalry is a relatively recent one, born from a number of highly competitive matches between the two teams since Australia joined the AFC in 2006.[112] The rivalry began at the 2006 World Cup where the two countries were grouped together, and continued with the two countries meeting regularly in various AFC competitions, such as the 2007 AFC Asian Cup, the 2011 AFC Asian Cup Final and the 2013 EAFF East Asian Cup.[113] Likewise, Australia and Japan also share World Cup and continental records that is nearly unrivalled in Asia, and also similar that football is not the main sport in both nations until recently; yet hold an indistinguishable record that being the only three members from the AFC to have reached the final of any senior FIFA competition, the other being Saudi Arabia, both in the defunct FIFA Confederations Cup, albeit Australia achieved it when the country still belonged to the OFC.[114] Japan have met Australia 27 times, with a record of 11 wins, 9 draws and 7 losses; Japan leads the series with 10 wins, 7 draws and 4 losses in matches played since 1991.

#### Saudi Arabia

[edit]

Japan and Saudi Arabia are two of the most historically successful national teams in Asia and have frequently met each other in many major tournaments, including in the Asian Cup (principally in the 1992 and 2000 final editions) and World Cup qualification.[115] The frequency is also rivalled by high-level performances of Japan and Saudi Arabia in the Asian and global football stage, justified by being the two of just three AFC member nations (alongside Australia) to reach the final of any senior FIFA competition. Combined, they have also won seven AFC Asian Cup titles in total.[114] Both Japan and Saudi Arabia also gained headlines for producing "unexpected" wins in the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, with Japan earning wins against Germany and Spain and Saudi Arabia against Argentina in the group stage. Despite the fact that between both nations only Japan qualified to the knockout stage of the competition in 2022, these wins over World Cup-winning oppositions have allowed comparisons of developments between Japan and Saudi Arabia to emerge.[116][117] In the head-to-head record, Japan have an advantage over Saudi Arabia with 10 wins, 1 draw and 5 losses.[118]

#### Iran

[edit]

Japan and Iran are the countries with most AFC Asian Cup titles, but they merged a rivalry in the 1990s due to the famous "Joy of Johor Bahru" (ジョホール・バルの歓喜, Johōru Baru no kanki) which Japan qualified to their first FIFA World Cup defeating the Persians by 3-2 in a neutral Asian play-off hosted in Johor Bahru, Malaysia.

In recent years, Japan and Iran met in the last two editions of the Asian Cup. The Samurai Blue defeated an before invincible and goal-less Carlos Queiroz's Team Melli squad by 3-0 in the semifinals of the 2019 edition meanwhile the Iranians took the revenge in the last edition (2023) eliminating Japan by 2-1 in the quarter-finals.

### Supporters

[edit]

Fans waving national flags in support of the Japanese national team

Japanese national team supporters are known for chanting "Nippon Ole" (Nippon is the Japanese word for Japan) at home matches.[119]

### Sponsorship

[edit]

Japan has one of the highest sponsorship incomes for a national squad. In 2006 their sponsorship income amounted to over 16.5 million pounds.

Primary sponsors include Adidas, ANA, Kirin, Saison Card International, FamilyMart, JAL, MS&AD Insurance Group, Asahi Shinbun, Mizuho Financial, Daito Trust Construction and KDDI.[120]

### Mascot

[edit]

The mascots are "Karappe" (カラッペ) and "Karara" (カララ), two Yatagarasu wearing the Japan national football team kit. The mascots were designed by Japanese manga artist Susumu Matsushita. Each year when a new kit is launched, the mascots' uniforms are updated in order to match the kit being used by the team.

For the 2014 World Cup, the Pokémon character Pikachu served as the mascot.[121]

## Results and fixtures

[edit]

Main article: Japan national football team results (2020–present)

See also: 2024 in Japanese football

The following is a list of match results in the last 12 months, as well as any future matches that have been scheduled.

Win Draw Loss Fixture

### 2023

[edit]

Main article: 2023 Japan national football team

Japan v  Canada 13 October 2023 Mizuho Blue Dream Match[122]|  Japan | 4–1|  Canada | Niigata, Japan

|
|
|
|

19:35 UTC+9 |

* Tanaka 2', 49'
* Davies 40' (o.g.)
* Nakamura 42'

| Report |

* Hoilett 89'

| Stadium: Denka Big Swan Stadium
Attendance: 37,125
Referee: Alex King (Australia)

Japan v  Tunisia 17 October 2023 Kirin Challenge Cup[123]|  Japan | 2–0|  Tunisia | Kobe, Japan

|
|
|
|

19:10 UTC+9 |

* Furuhashi 43'
* J. Ito 69'

| Report |  | Stadium: Noevir Stadium Kobe
Attendance: 26,529
Referee: Wang Di (China)

Japan v  Myanmar 16 November 2026 World Cup qualification 2R|  Japan | 5–0|  Myanmar | Suita, Japan

|
|
|
|

19:00 UTC+9 |

* Ueda 11', 45+4', 50'
* Kamada 28'
* Dôan 86'

| Report |  | Stadium: Panasonic Stadium Suita
Attendance: 34,484
Referee: Muhammad Taqi (Singapore)

Syria v  Japan 21 November 2026 World Cup qualification 2R|  Syria | 0–5|  Japan | Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

|
|
|
|

17:45 UTC+3 |  | Report |

* Kubo 32'
* Ueda 37', 40'
* Sugawara 47'
* Hosoya 82'

| Stadium: Prince Abdullah Al Faisal Stadium
Attendance: 6,130
Referee: Ma Ning (China)

* Fixtures & Results (2023), JFA.jp

### 2024

[edit]

Main article: 2024 Japan national football team

Japan v  Thailand 1 January 2024 Toyo Tires Cup[124][125]|  Japan | 5–0|  Thailand | Tokyo, Japan

|
|
|
|

14:00 UTC+9 |

* Tanaka 50'
* Nakamura 72'
* Dolah 75' (o.g.)
* Kawamura 82'
* Minamino 90+1'

| Report |  | Stadium: Japan National Stadium
Attendance: 61,916
Referee: Kim Woo-sung (South Korea)

Japan v  Jordan 9 January Unofficial Friendly|  Japan | 6–1|  Jordan | Doha, Qatar

|
|
|
|

14:30 UTC+3 |

* Itakura 14'
* Nakamura 17'
* 29' (o.g.)
* Minamino 43'
* Asano 71'
* Maeda 81'

| Report |

* Rateb 87'

| Stadium: Al Ersal Stadium
Attendance: 0

Japan v  Vietnam 14 January 2023 AFC Asian Cup GS|  Japan | 4–2|  Vietnam | Doha, Qatar

|
|
|
|

14:30 UTC+3 |

* Minamino 11', 45'
* Nakamura 45+2'
* Ueda 85'

| Report |

* Đình Bắc 16'
* Tuấn Hải 33'

| Stadium: Al Thumama Stadium
Attendance: 17,385
Referee: Kim Jong-hyeok (South Korea)

Iraq v  Japan 19 January 2023 AFC Asian Cup GS|  Iraq | 2–1|  Japan | Al Rayyan, Qatar

|
|
|
|

14:30 UTC+3 |

* Hussein 5', 45+4'

| Report |

* Endō 90+3'

| Stadium: Education City Stadium
Attendance: 38,663
Referee: Khalid Al-Turais (Saudi Arabia)

Japan v  Indonesia 24 January 2023 AFC Asian Cup GS|  Japan | 3–1|  Indonesia | Doha, Qatar

|
|
|
|

14:30 UTC+3 |

* Ueda 6' (pen.), 52'
* Hubner 88' (o.g.)

| Report |

* Walsh 90+1'

| Stadium: Al Thumama Stadium
Attendance: 26,453
Referee: Khamis Al-Marri (Qatar)

Bahrain v  Japan 31 January 2023 AFC Asian Cup R16|  Bahrain | 1–3|  Japan | Doha, Qatar

|
|
|
|

14:30 UTC+3 |

* Suzuki 64' (o.g.)

| Report |

* Doan 31'
* Kubo 49'
* Ueda 72'

| Stadium: Al Thumama Stadium
Attendance: 31,832
Referee: Ahmad Al-Ali (Kuwait)

Iran v  Japan 3 February 2023 AFC Asian Cup QF|  Iran | 2–1|  Japan | Al Rayyan, Qatar

|
|
|
|

14:30 UTC+3 |

* Mohebi 55'
* Jahanbakhsh 90+6' (pen.)

| Report |

* Morita 28'

| Stadium: Education City Stadium
Attendance: 35,640
Referee: Ma Ning (China)

Japan v  North Korea 21 March 2026 World Cup qualification 2R|  Japan | 1–0|  North Korea | Tokyo, Japan

|
|
|
|

19:20 UTC+9 |

* Tanaka 2'

| Report |  | Stadium: Japan National Stadium
Attendance: 59,354
Referee: Adel Al-Naqbi (United Arab Emirates)

North Korea v  Japan 26 March 2026 World Cup qualification 2R|  North Korea | 0–3
Awarded[b]|  Japan |

|
|
|
|

|  | Report |  |

Myanmar v  Japan 6 June 2026 World Cup qualification 2R|  Myanmar | 0–5|  Japan | Yangon, Myanmar

|
|
|
|

18:40 UTC+6:30 |  | Report |

* Nakamura 17', 90+3'
* Dōan 34'
* Ogawa 75', 83'

| Stadium: Thuwunna Stadium
Attendance: 21,200
Referee: Majed Al-Shamrani (Saudi Arabia)

Japan v  Syria 11 June 2026 World Cup qualification 2R|  Japan | 5–0|  Syria | Hiroshima, Japan

|
|
|
|

19:10 UTC+9 |

* Ueda 13'
* Dōan 19'
* Krouma 22' (o.g.)
* Soma 73' (pen.)
* Minamino 85'

| Report |  | Stadium: Edion Peace Wing Hiroshima
Attendance: 26,650
Referee: Ahmed Al-Ali (Kuwait)

Japan v  China 5 September 2026 World Cup qualification 3R|  Japan | 7–0|  China | Saitama, Japan

|
|
|
|

19:35 UTC+9 |

* Endō 12'
* Mitoma 45+2'
* Minamino 52', 58'
* Itō 77'
* Maeda 87'
* Kubo 90+5'

| Report |  | Stadium: Saitama Stadium 2002
Attendance: 52,398
Referee: Abdulrahman Al-Jassim (Qatar)

Bahrain v  Japan 10 September 2026 World Cup qualification 3R|  Bahrain | 0–5|  Japan | Riffa, Bahrain

|
|
|
|

19:00 UTC+3 |  | Report |

* Ueda 37' (pen.), 47'
* Morita 61', 64'
* Ogawa 81'

| Stadium: Bahrain National Stadium
Attendance: 22,729
Referee: Rustam Lutfullin (Uzbekistan)

Saudi Arabia v  Japan 10 October 2026 World Cup qualification 3R|  Saudi Arabia | 0–2|  Japan | Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

|
|
|
|

21:00 UTC+3 |  | Report |

* Kamada 14'
* Ogawa 81'

| Stadium: King Abdullah Sports City Stadium
Attendance: 56,283
Referee: Kim Jong-hyeok (South Korea)

Japan v  Australia 15 October 2026 World Cup qualification 3R|  Japan | 1–1|  Australia | Saitama, Japan

|
|
|
|

19:35 UTC+9 |

* Burgess 76' (o.g.)

| Report |

* Taniguchi 58' (o.g.)

| Stadium: Saitama Stadium 2002
Referee: Ahmed Al-Ali (Kuwait)

Indonesia v  Japan 15 November 2026 World Cup qualification 3R|  Indonesia | v|  Japan | Jakarta, Indonesia

|
|
|
|

19:00 UTC+7 |  | Report |  | Stadium: Gelora Bung Karno Stadium

China v  Japan 19 November 2026 World Cup qualification 3R|  China | v|  Japan | Xiamen, China

|
|
|
|

20:00 UTC+8 |  | Report |  | Stadium: Xiamen Egret Stadium

* Fixtures & Results (2024), JFA.jp

### 2025

[edit]

Japan v  Bahrain 20 March 2026 World Cup qualification 3R|  Japan | v|  Bahrain | Saitama, Japan

|
|
|
|

19:35 UTC+9 |  | Report |  | Stadium: Saitama Stadium 2002

Japan v  Saudi Arabia 25 March 2026 World Cup qualification 3R|  Japan | v|  Saudi Arabia | Saitama, Japan

|
|
|
|

19:35 UTC+9 |  | Report |  | Stadium: Saitama Stadium 2002

Australia v  Japan 5 June 2026 World Cup qualification 3R|  Australia | v|  Japan | Australia

|
|
|
|

\--:-- UTC+11 |  | Report |  |

Japan v  Indonesia 10 June 2026 World Cup qualification 3R|  Japan | v|  Indonesia | Japan

|
|
|
|

\--:-- UTC+9 |  | Report |  |

## Coaching staff

[edit]

### Current staff

[edit]

See also: List of Asian national football team managers

As of 29 August 2024
Hajime Moriyasu, current head coach of Japan Role  | Name

|

Head coach  |  Hajime Moriyasu
Assistant coach  |  Makoto Hasebe
Ryoichi Maeda
Hiroshi Nanami
Toshihide Saito
Physical coach  |  Ryoichi Matsumoto
Goalkeeper coach  |  Takashi Shimoda

* Players & Staffs (2024), JFA.jp

### Manager history

[edit]

As of October 11 2024 after the match against  Saudi Arabia.
Manager  | Period  | Record

|
|

Matches | Won | Draw | Lost | Win %
Masujiro Nishida | 1923 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0%
Goro Yamada | 1925 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0%
Vacant | 1925 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 50%
Shigeyoshi Suzuki (1st) | 1930 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 50%
Shigemaru Takenokoshi (1st) | 1934 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 33.33%
Shigeyoshi Suzuki (2nd) | 1936 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 50%
Shigemaru Takenokoshi (2nd) | 1940 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 100%
Hirokazu Ninomiya | 1951 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 33.33%
Shigemaru Takenokoshi (3rd) | 1954–56 | 12 | 2 | 4 | 6 | 16.66%
Taizo Kawamoto | 1958 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0%
Shigemaru Takenokoshi (4th) | 1958–59 | 12 | 4 | 2 | 6 | 33.33%
Vacant | 1960 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0%
Hidetoki Takahashi | 1961–1962 | 14 | 3 | 2 | 9 | 21.43%
Ken Naganuma (1st) | 1963–1969 | 31 | 18 | 7 | 6 | 58.06%
Shunichiro Okano | 1970–1971 | 19 | 11 | 2 | 6 | 57.90%
Ken Naganuma (2nd) | 1972–1976 | 42 | 16 | 6 | 20 | 38.09%
Hiroshi Ninomiya | 1976–1978 | 27 | 6 | 6 | 15 | 22.22%
Yukio Shimomura | 1979–1980 | 14 | 8 | 4 | 2 | 57.14%
Masashi Watanabe | 1980 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 66.67%
Saburō Kawabuchi | 1980–1981 | 10 | 3 | 2 | 5 | 30%
Takaji Mori | 1981–1985 | 43 | 22 | 5 | 16 | 51.16%
Yoshinobu Ishii | 1986–1987 | 17 | 11 | 2 | 4 | 64.70%
Kenzo Yokoyama | 1988–1991 | 24 | 5 | 7 | 12 | 20.83%
Hans Ooft | 1992–1993 | 27 | 16 | 7 | 4 | 59.25%
Paulo Roberto Falcão | 1994 | 9 | 3 | 4 | 2 | 33.33%
Shu Kamo | 1994–1997 | 46 | 23 | 10 | 13 | 50%
Takeshi Okada (1st) | 1997–1998 | 15 | 5 | 4 | 6 | 33.33%
Philippe Troussier | 1998–2002 | 50 | 23 | 16 | 11 | 46%
Zico | 2002–2006 | 71 | 37 | 16 | 18 | 52.11%
Ivica Osim | 2006–2007 | 20 | 13 | 2 | 5 | 65%
Takeshi Okada (2nd) | 2007–2010 | 50 | 26 | 13 | 11 | 52%
Hiromi Hara (caretaker) | 2010 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 100%
Alberto Zaccheroni | 2010–2014 | 55 | 30 | 12 | 13 | 54.54%
Javier Aguirre | 2014–2015 | 10 | 7 | 1 | 2 | 70%
Vahid Halilhodžić | 2015–2018 | 38 | 21 | 9 | 8 | 55.26%
Akira Nishino | 2018 | 7 | 2 | 1 | 4 | 28.57%
Hajime Moriyasu[129][130][4][5][6] | 2018–present | 85 | 60 | 10 | 15 | 70.59%
Manager  | Period  | Record
Matches | Won | Draw | Lost | Win %

## Players

[edit]

Main article: List of Japan international footballers

See also: Category:Japan men's international footballers

### Current squad

[edit]

The following players were called up for the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification matches against Saudi Arabia and Australia on 10 and 15 October 2024, respectively.[131]

Caps and goals as of 11 October 2024, after the match against  Saudi Arabia.[132]

No. | Pos. | Player  | Date of birth (age)  | Caps  | Goals  | Club

|
|
|
|
|
|

1  | 1GK | Zion Suzuki |  (2002-08-21) 21 August 2002 (age 22) | 13  | 0  |  Parma
12  | 1GK | Keisuke Osako |  (1999-07-28) 28 July 1999 (age 25) | 8  | 0  |  Sanfrecce Hiroshima
23  | 1GK | Kosei Tani |  (2000-11-20) 20 November 2000 (age 23) | 2  | 0  |  Machida Zelvia

* * *

2  | 2DF | Yukinari Sugawara |  (2000-06-28) 28 June 2000 (age 24) | 13  | 1  |  Southampton
3  | 2DF | Shogo Taniguchi |  (1991-07-15) 15 July 1991 (age 33) | 31  | 1  |  Sint-Truiden
4  | 2DF | Ko Itakura |  (1997-01-27) 27 January 1997 (age 27) | 32  | 1  |  Borussia Mönchengladbach
16  | 2DF | Kōki Machida |  (1997-08-25) 25 August 1997 (age 27) | 13  | 0  |  Union Saint-Gilloise
18  | 2DF | Henry Heroki Mochizuki |  (2001-09-20) 20 September 2001 (age 23) | 0  | 0  |  Machida Zelvia
22  | 2DF | Ayumu Seko |  (2000-06-07) 7 June 2000 (age 24) | 3  | 0  |  Grasshopper
| 2DF | Yuto Nagatomo |  (1986-09-12) 12 September 1986 (age 38) | 142  | 4  |  FC Tokyo
| 2DF | Hiroki Sekine |  (2002-08-11) 11 August 2002 (age 22) | 0  | 0  |  Kashiwa Reysol

* * *

5  | 3MF | Hidemasa Morita (captain) |  (1995-05-10) 10 May 1995 (age 29) | 37  | 5  |  Sporting CP
6  | 3MF | Joel Chima Fujita |  (2002-02-16) 16 February 2002 (age 22) | 2  | 0  |  Sint-Truiden
7  | 3MF | Kaoru Mitoma |  (1997-05-20) 20 May 1997 (age 27) | 23  | 8  |  Brighton & Hove Albion
8  | 3MF | Takumi Minamino |  (1995-01-16) 16 January 1995 (age 29) | 62  | 23  |  Monaco[c]
10  | 3MF | Ritsu Dōan |  (1998-06-16) 16 June 1998 (age 26) | 53  | 10  |  SC Freiburg
13  | 3MF | Keito Nakamura |  (2000-07-28) 28 July 2000 (age 24) | 12  | 8  |  Reims
14  | 3MF | Junya Itō |  (1993-03-09) 9 March 1993 (age 31) | 57  | 14  |  Reims
15  | 3MF | Daichi Kamada |  (1996-08-05) 5 August 1996 (age 28) | 35  | 8  |  Crystal Palace
17  | 3MF | Ao Tanaka |  (1998-09-10) 10 September 1998 (age 26) | 28  | 8  |  Leeds United
20  | 3MF | Takefusa Kubo |  (2001-06-04) 4 June 2001 (age 23) | 38  | 5  |  Real Sociedad
21  | 3MF | Reo Hatate |  (1997-11-21) 21 November 1997 (age 26) | 9  | 0  |  Celtic
| 3MF | Wataru Endō |  (1993-02-09) 9 February 1993 (age 31) | 65  | 4  |  Liverpool

* * *

9  | 4FW | Ayase Ueda |  (1998-08-28) 28 August 1998 (age 26) | 29  | 14  |  Feyenoord
11  | 4FW | Daizen Maeda |  (1997-10-20) 20 October 1997 (age 26) | 20  | 4  |  Celtic
19  | 4FW | Koki Ogawa |  (1997-08-08) 8 August 1997 (age 27) | 6  | 7  |  NEC Nijmegen
| 4FW | Yuki Ohashi |  (1996-07-27) 27 July 1996 (age 28) | 0  | 0  |  Blackburn Rovers

### Recent call-ups

[edit]

The following players have also been called up to the squad within the last twelve months.[133]

Pos. | Player  | Date of birth (age)  | Caps  | Goals  | Club  | Latest call-up

|
|
|
|
|
|

GK | Daiya Maekawa |  (1994-09-08) 8 September 1994 (age 30) | 2  | 0  |  Vissel Kobe | v.  Syria, 11 June 2024
GK | Taishi Brandon Nozawa |  (2002-12-25) 25 December 2002 (age 21) | 0  | 0  |  FC Tokyo | 2023 AFC Asian Cup
GK | Ryosuke Kojima |  (1997-01-30) 30 January 1997 (age 27) | 0  | 0  |  Albirex Niigata | v.  Tunisia, 17 October 2023

* * *

DF | Kota Takai |  (2004-09-04) 4 September 2004 (age 20) | 1  | 0  |  Kawasaki Frontale | v.  Saudi Arabia, 10 October 2024 INJ
DF | Yūta Nakayama |  (1997-02-16) 16 February 1997 (age 27) | 22  | 0  |  Machida Zelvia | v.  Bahrain, 10 September 2024
DF | Takehiro Tomiyasu |  (1998-11-05) 5 November 1998 (age 25) | 42  | 1  |  Arsenal | v.  Syria, 11 June 2024
DF | Hiroki Itō |  (1999-05-12) 12 May 1999 (age 25) | 19  | 1  |  Bayern Munich | v.  Syria, 11 June 2024
DF | Daiki Hashioka |  (1999-05-17) 17 May 1999 (age 25) | 9  | 0  |  Luton Town | v.  Syria, 11 June 2024
DF | Seiya Maikuma |  (1997-10-16) 16 October 1997 (age 26) | 8  | 0  |  AZ | v.  North Korea, 21 March 2024
DF | Tsuyoshi Watanabe |  (1997-02-05) 5 February 1997 (age 27) | 3  | 0  |  Gent | v.  North Korea, 21 March 2024
DF | Ryoya Morishita |  (1997-04-11) 11 April 1997 (age 27) | 2  | 0  |  Legia Warsaw | v.  Thailand, 1 January 2024
DF | Haruya Fujii |  (2000-12-26) 26 December 2000 (age 23) | 1  | 0  |  Kortrijk | v.  Thailand, 1 January 2024
DF | Sota Miura |  (2000-09-07) 7 September 2000 (age 24) | 1  | 0  |  Kawasaki Frontale | v.  Thailand, 1 January 2024

* * *

MF | Yuki Soma |  (1997-02-25) 25 February 1997 (age 27) | 14  | 5  |  Machida Zelvia | v.  Syria, 11 June 2024
MF | Takumu Kawamura |  (1999-08-28) 28 August 1999 (age 25) | 3  | 1  |  Red Bull Salzburg | v.  Syria, 11 June 2024
MF | Kaishū Sano |  (2000-12-30) 30 December 2000 (age 23) | 4  | 0  |  Mainz 05 | v.  North Korea, 21 March 2024 INJ
MF | Ryotaro Ito |  (1998-02-06) 6 February 1998 (age 26) | 1  | 0  |  Sint-Truiden | v.  Thailand, 1 January 2024
MF | Kanji Okunuki |  (1999-08-11) 11 August 1999 (age 25) | 1  | 0  |  1\. FC Nürnberg | v.  Thailand, 1 January 2024
MF | Hayao Kawabe |  (1995-09-08) 8 September 1995 (age 29) | 6  | 1  |  Sanfrecce Hiroshima | v.  Myanmar, 16 November 2023 INJ
MF | Atsuki Ito |  (1998-08-11) 11 August 1998 (age 26) | 3  | 1  |  Gent | v.  Myanmar, 16 November 2023 INJ

* * *

FW | Takuma Asano |  (1994-11-10) 10 November 1994 (age 29) | 53  | 9  |  Mallorca | v.  Bahrain, 10 September 2024
FW | Mao Hosoya |  (2001-09-07) 7 September 2001 (age 23) | 6  | 1  |  Kashiwa Reysol | v.  Bahrain, 10 September 2024
FW | Yuito Suzuki |  (2001-10-25) 25 October 2001 (age 22) | 1  | 0  |  Brøndby | v.  Syria, 11 June 2024
FW | Kyogo Furuhashi |  (1995-01-20) 20 January 1995 (age 29) | 21  | 5  |  Celtic | v.  Myanmar, 16 November 2023 INJ

* * *

INJ Withdrew due to injury
PRE Preliminary squad / standby
RET Retired from the national team
SUS Serving suspension
WD Player withdrew from the squad due to non-injury issue.

## Records

[edit]

Main article: Japan national football team records and statistics

As of 5 December 2022.[134]
Players in bold are still active with Japan.

### Most appearances

[edit]

Yasuhito Endō is Japan's most capped player with 152 appearances. Rank  | Player  | Caps  | Goals  | Pos  | Career

|
|
|
|
|

1 | Yasuhito Endō | 152 | 15 | MF | 2002–2015
2 | Yuto Nagatomo | 142 | 4 | DF | 2008–present
3 | Maya Yoshida | 126 | 12 | DF | 2010–2022
4 | Masami Ihara | 122 | 5 | DF | 1988–1999
5 | Shinji Okazaki | 119 | 50 | FW | 2008– 2019
6 | Yoshikatsu Kawaguchi | 116 | 0 | GK | 1997–2010
7 | Makoto Hasebe | 114 | 2 | MF | 2006–2018
8 | Yuji Nakazawa | 110 | 17 | DF | 1999–2010
9 | Keisuke Honda | 98 | 37 | MF | 2008–2018
Shunsuke Nakamura | 98 | 24 | MF | 2000–2010

### Top goalscorers

[edit]

See also: List of Japan national football team hat-tricks

Kunishige Kamamoto is Japan's top scorer with 75 goals. Rank  | Player  | Goals  | Caps  | Ratio  | Career

|
|
|
|
|

1 | Kunishige Kamamoto | 75 | 76 | 0.99 | 1964–1977
2 | Kazuyoshi Miura | 55 | 89 | 0.62 | 1990–2000
3 | Shinji Okazaki | 50 | 119 | 0.42 | 2008–2019
4 | Hiromi Hara | 37 | 75 | 0.49 | 1978–1988
Keisuke Honda | 98 | 0.38 | 2008–2018
6 | Shinji Kagawa | 31 | 97 | 0.32 | 2008–2019
7 | Takuya Takagi | 27 | 44 | 0.61 | 1992–1997
8 | Kazushi Kimura | 26 | 54 | 0.48 | 1979–1986
9 | Yuya Osako | 25 | 57 | 0.44 | 2013–2022
10 | Shunsuke Nakamura | 24 | 98 | 0.24 | 2000–2010

### Captains

[edit]

Name  | Pos  | Period  | Note

|
|
|

Shigeo Yaegashi | MF | 1968  | Summer Olympics bronze medalist leading captain (1968)
Aritatsu Ogi | MF | 1969–1974  |
Kunishige Kamamoto | FW | 1975–1977
Nobuo Fujishima | MF | 1978
Hiroshi Ochiai | MF DF | 1978–1979
Hideki Maeda | MF | 1980–1981
Mitsuhisa Taguchi | GK | 1982–1984
Kazushi Kimura | MF | 1986
Hisashi Kato | DF | 1985–1987
Hiromi Hara | FW | 1988
Shigetatsu Matsunaga | GK | 1989
Shinichi Morishita | 1990
Tetsuji Hashiratani | MF | 1991–1995  | AFC Asian Cup winning captain (1992)
Masami Ihara | DF | 1996–1999  |
Masashi Nakayama | FW | 2001  | FIFA Confederations Cup runners-up leading captain (2001)
Ryuzo Morioka | CB | 2000–2002  | AFC Asian Cup winning captain (2000)
Hidetoshi Nakata | CM | 2002–2004  |
Tsuneyasu Miyamoto | CB | 2003–2006  | AFC Asian Cup winning captain (2004), East Asian Football Championship runners-up leading captain (2003) (2005)
Yoshikatsu Kawaguchi | GK | 2006–2008  | East Asian Football Championship runners-up leading captain (2008)
Yuji Nakazawa | CB | 2008–2010  | East Asian Football Championship third place leading captain (2010)
Makoto Hasebe | DM | 2010–2018  | AFC Asian Cup winning captain (2011)
Yuichi Komano | DF | 2013  | EAFF East Asian Cup winning captain (2013)
Gen Shoji | CB | 2017  | EAFF E-1 Championship runners-up leading captain (2017)
Maya Yoshida | CB | 2018–2022  | AFC Asian Cup runners-up leading captain (2019)
Sho Sasaki | LB | 2019  | EAFF E-1 Championship runners-up leading captain (2019)
Shogo Taniguchi | CB | 2022  | EAFF E-1 Championship winning captain (2022)
Wataru Endo | DM | 2023–present  |

## Competitive record

[edit]

Champions Runners-up Third place Fourth place

*Denotes draws includes knockout matches decided on penalty shootouts. Red border indicates that the tournament was hosted on home soil. Gold, silver, bronze backgrounds indicate 1st, 2nd and 3rd finishes respectively. Bold text indicates best finish in tournament.

### FIFA World Cup

[edit]

Main article: Japan at the FIFA World Cup

See also: FIFA World Cup records and statistics

FIFA World Cup record  |  | Qualification record

|
|

Year | Result | Position | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | Squad | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA
1930 | Withdrew | Qualified as invitees
1934 | Did not enter | Did not enter
1938 | Withdrew | Withdrew
1950 | Suspended from FIFA | Suspended from FIFA
1954 | Did not qualify | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 7
1958 | Did not enter | Did not enter
1962 | Did not qualify | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 4
1966 | Did not enter | Did not enter
1970 | Did not qualify | 4 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 8
1974 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 5 | 4
1978 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 5
1982 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 2
1986 | 8 | 5 | 1 | 2 | 15 | 5
1990 | 6 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 7 | 3
1994 | 13 | 9 | 3 | 1 | 35 | 6
1998 | Group stage | 31st | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 4 | Squad | 15 | 9 | 5 | 1 | 51 | 12
2002 | Round of 16 | 9th | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 3 | Squad | Qualified as co-hosts
2006 | Group stage | 28th | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 7 | Squad | 12 | 11 | 0 | 1 | 25 | 5
2010 | Round of 16 | 9th | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 2 | Squad | 14 | 8 | 4 | 2 | 23 | 9
2014 | Group stage | 29th | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 6 | Squad | 14 | 8 | 3 | 3 | 30 | 8
2018 | Round of 16 | 15th | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 6 | 7 | Squad | 18 | 13 | 3 | 2 | 44 | 7
2022 | 9th | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 4 | Squad | 18 | 15 | 1 | 2 | 58 | 6
2026 | To be determined | 9 | 8 | 1 | 0 | 37 | 1
2030 | To be determined
2034
Total | Round of 16 | 7/22 | 25 | 7 | 6 | 12 | 25 | 33 | — |  | 147 | 91 | 28 | 28 | 342 | 92

#### Match history

[edit]

FIFA World Cup history

Year  | Round  | Opponent  | Score  | Result
1998 | Group stage  |  Argentina | 0–1 | Loss
Croatia | 0–1 | Loss
Jamaica | 1–2 | Loss
2002 | Group stage  |  Belgium | 2–2 | Draw
Russia | 1–0 | Win
Tunisia | 2–0 | Win
Round of 16 |  Turkey | 0–1 | Loss
2006 | Group stage  |  Australia | 1–3 | Loss
Croatia | 0–0 | Draw
Brazil | 1–4 | Loss
2010 | Group stage  |  Cameroon | 1–0 | Win
Netherlands | 0–1 | Loss
Denmark | 3–1 | Win
Round of 16 |  Paraguay | 0–0 (3–5 p) | Draw (Loss)
2014 | Group stage  |  Ivory Coast | 1–2 | Loss
Greece | 0–0 | Draw
Colombia | 1–4 | Loss
2018 | Group stage  |  Colombia | 2–1 | Win
Senegal | 2–2 | Draw
Poland | 0–1 | Loss
Round of 16 |  Belgium | 2–3 | Loss
2022 | Group stage  |  Germany | 2–1 | Win
Costa Rica | 0–1 | Loss
Spain | 2–1 | Win
Round of 16 |  Croatia | 1–1 (1–3 p) | Draw (Loss)

### AFC Asian Cup

[edit]

Main article: Japan at the AFC Asian Cup

See also: AFC Asian Cup records and statistics

AFC Asian Cup record  | Qualification record

|

Year | Result | Position | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | Squad | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA
1956 | Withdrew | Withdrew
1960
1964
1968 | Did not qualify | 4 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 8 | 4
1972 | Withdrew | Withdrew
1976 | Did not qualify | 5 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 4
1980 | Withdrew | Withdrew
1984
1988 | Group stage | 10th | 4 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 6 | Squad | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 6 | 3
1992 | Champions | 1st | 5 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 6 | 3 | Squad | Qualified as hosts
1996 | Quarter-finals | 5th | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 7 | 3 | Squad | Qualified as defending champions
2000 | Champions | 1st | 6 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 21 | 6 | Squad | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 15 | 0
2004 | Champions | 1st | 6 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 13 | 6 | Squad | Qualified as defending champions
2007 | Fourth place | 4th | 6 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 11 | 7 | Squad | 6 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 15 | 2
2011 | Champions | 1st | 6 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 14 | 6 | Squad | 6 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 17 | 4
2015 | Quarter-finals | 5th | 4 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 8 | 1 | Squad | Qualified as defending champions
2019 | Runners-up | 2nd | 7 | 6 | 0 | 1 | 12 | 6 | Squad | 8 | 7 | 1 | 0 | 27 | 0
2023 | Quarter-finals | 7th | 5 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 12 | 8 | Squad | 8 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 46 | 2
2027 | Qualified | 6 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 24 | 0
Total | 4 Titles | 11/19 | 53 | 33 | 12 | 8 | 104 | 52 | — | 50 | 41 | 4 | 5 | 162 | 19

#### Match history

[edit]

AFC Asian Cup history

Year  | Round  | Opponent  | Score  | Result
1988 | Group stage |  Iran | 0–0 | Draw
South Korea | 0–2 | Loss
United Arab Emirates | 0–1 | Loss
Qatar | 0–3 | Loss
1992 | Group stage |  United Arab Emirates | 0–0 | Draw
North Korea | 1–1 | Draw
Iran | 1–0 | Win
Semi-finals |  China | 3–2 | Win
Final |  Saudi Arabia | 1–0 | Win
1996 | Group stage |  Syria | 2–1 | Win
Uzbekistan | 4–0 | Win
China | 1–0 | Win
Quarter-finals |  Kuwait | 0–2 | Loss
2000 | Group stage |  Saudi Arabia | 4–1 | Win
Uzbekistan | 8–1 | Win
Qatar | 1–1 | Draw
Quarter-finals |  Iraq | 4–1 | Win
Semi-finals |  China | 3–2 | Win
Final |  Saudi Arabia | 1–0 | Win
2004 | Group stage |  Oman | 1–0 | Win
Thailand | 4–1 | Win
Iran | 0–0 | Draw
Quarter-finals |  Jordan | 1–1 (4–3 p) | Draw (Win)
Semi-finals |  Bahrain | 4–3 | Win
Final |  China | 3–1 | Win
2007 | Group stage |  Qatar | 1–1 | Draw
United Arab Emirates | 3–1 | Win
Vietnam | 4–1 | Win
Quarter-finals |  Australia | 1–1 (4–3 p) | Draw (Win)
Semi-finals |  Saudi Arabia | 2–3 | Loss
Third place play-off |  South Korea | 0–0 (5–6 p) | Draw (Loss)
2011 | Group stage |  Jordan | 1–1 | Draw
Syria | 2–1 | Win
Saudi Arabia | 5–0 | Win
Quarter-finals |  Qatar | 3–2 | Win
Semi-finals |  South Korea | 2–2 (3–0 p) | Draw (Win)
Final |  Australia | 1–0 | Win
2015 | Group stage |  Palestine | 4–0 | Win
Iraq | 1–0 | Win
Jordan | 2–0 | Win
Quarter-finals |  United Arab Emirates | 1–1 (4–5 p) | Draw (Loss)
2019 | Group stage |  Turkmenistan | 3–2 | Win
Oman | 1–0 | Win
Uzbekistan | 2–1 | Win
Round of 16 |  Saudi Arabia | 1–0 | Win
Quarter-finals |  Vietnam | 1–0 | Win
Semi-finals |  Iran | 3–0 | Win
Final |  Qatar | 1–3 | Loss
2023 | Group stage |  Vietnam | 4–2 | Win
Iraq | 1–2 | Loss
Indonesia | 3–1 | Win
Round of 16 |  Bahrain | 3–1 | Win
Quarter-finals |  Iran | 1–2 | Loss

### Copa América

[edit]

Main article: Japan at the Copa América

Japan is the first team from outside the Americas to participate in the Copa América, having been invited to the 1999 tournament.[16] Japan was also invited to the 2011 tournament and initially accepted the invitation. However, following the Tōhoku earthquake, the JFA later withdrew on 16 May 2011, citing the difficulty of releasing some Japanese players from European teams to play as replacements.[135] On the next day, CONMEBOL invited Costa Rica to replace Japan in the competition.

On 16 August 2013, CONMEBOL president Eugenio Figueredo announced that Japan was invited to the 2015 Copa América.[136] However, Japan later declined the invitation due to scheduling problems.[137]

On 14 May 2018, CONMEBOL announced that Japan, alongside Qatar, would be the two invited teams for the 2019 Copa América.[138]

| Copa América record

Year  | Result  | Position  | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | Squad
1999 | Group stage | 10th | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 8 | Squad
2011 | Withdrew
2015 | Withdrew
2019 | Group stage | 9th | 3 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 7 | Squad
Total | Group stage | 2/4 | 6 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 6 | 15 | —

#### Match history

[edit]

CONMEBOL Copa América history

Year  | Round  | Opponent  | Score  | Result  | Stadium
1999 | Group stage |  Peru | 2–3 | Loss | Estadio Defensores del Chaco, Asunción
Paraguay | 0–4 | Loss
Bolivia | 1–1 | Draw | Monumental Rio Parapiti, Pedro Juan Caballero
2019 | Group stage |  Chile | 0–4 | Loss | Estádio do Morumbi, São Paulo
Uruguay | 2–2 | Draw | Arena do Grêmio, Porto Alegre
Ecuador | 1–1 | Draw | Estádio Mineirão, Belo Horizonte

### FIFA Confederations Cup

[edit]

See also: National team appearances in the FIFA Confederations Cup and FIFA Confederations Cup

FIFA Confederations Cup record

year  | Result  | Position  | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | Squad
1992 | Did not qualify
1995 | Group stage  | 6th  | 2  | 0  | 0  | 2  | 1  | 8  | Squad
1997 | Did not qualify
1999
2001 | Runners-up | 2nd | 5 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 6 | 1 | Squad
2003 | Group stage  | 6th  | 3  | 1  | 0  | 2  | 4  | 3  | Squad
2005 | Group stage  | 5th  | 3  | 1  | 1  | 1  | 4  | 4  | Squad
2009 | Did not qualify
2013 | Group stage  | 7th  | 3  | 0  | 0  | 3  | 4  | 9  | Squad
2017 | Did not qualify
Total | Runners-up | 5/10 | 16 | 5 | 2 | 9 | 19 | 25 | —

#### Match history

[edit]

FIFA Confederations Cup history

Year  | Round  | Opponent  | Score  | Result
1995 | Group stage |  Nigeria | 0–3 | Loss
Argentina | 1–5 | Loss
2001 | Group stage |  Canada | 3–0 | Win
Cameroon | 2–0 | Win
Brazil | 0–0 | Draw
Semi-finals |  Australia | 1–0 | Win
Final |  France | 0–1 | Loss
2003 | Group stage |  New Zealand | 3–0 | Win
France | 1–2 | Loss
Colombia | 0–1 | Loss
2005 | Group stage |  Mexico | 1–2 | Loss
Greece | 1–0 | Win
Brazil | 2–2 | Draw
2013 | Group stage |  Brazil | 0–3 | Loss
Italy | 3–4 | Loss
Mexico | 1–2 | Loss

### Olympic Games

[edit]

Main article: Japan at the Olympics

See also: Japan national under-23 football team

Summer Olympics record  |  | Qualification record

|
|

Year | Result | Position | M | W | D | L | GF | GA | Squad | M | W | D | L | GF | GA
1908 | Did not enter | Did not enter
1912
1920
1924
1928
1936 | Quarter-finals | 8th | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 10 | Squad | No qualification
1948 | Did not enter | Did not enter
1952
1956 | First round | 10th | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | Squad | No qualification
1960 | Did not qualify | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2
1964 | Quarter-finals | 8th | 3 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 6 | 15 | Squad | Qualified as hosts
1968 | Bronze medalists | 3rd | 6 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 9 | 8 | Squad | 5 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 26 | 4
1972 | Did not qualify | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 14 | 7
1976 | 6 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 9 | 11
1980 | 5 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 16 | 5
1984 | 10 | 3 | 1 | 6 | 26 | 17
1988 | 8 | 6 | 1 | 1 | 19 | 3
1992–present  | See Japan national under-23 team | See Japan national under-23 team
Total | Bronze medalists | 4/17 | 12 | 5 | 2 | 6 | 18 | 35 | — | 40 | 21 | 5 | 14 | 111 | 49

#### Match history

[edit]

Summer Olympics history

Year  | Round  | Opponent  | Score  | Result
1936 | First round |  Sweden | 3–2 | Win
Quarter-finals |  Italy | 0–8 | Loss
1956 | First round |  Australia | 0–2 | Loss
1964 | Group stage |  Argentina | 3–2 | Win
Ghana | 2–3 | Loss
Quarter-finals |  Czechoslovakia | 0–4 | Loss
1968 | Group stage |  Nigeria | 3–1 | Win
Brazil | 1–1 | Draw
Spain | 0–0 | Draw
Quarter-finals |  France | 3–1 | Win
Semi-finals |  Hungary | 0–5 | Loss
Bronze play-off |  Mexico | 2–0 | Win

### Asian Games

[edit]

Main article: Japan at the Asian Games

See also: Japan national under-23 football team

| Asian Games record

Year | Result | Position | M | W | D | L | GF | GA | Squad
1951 | Third place | 3rd | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 3 | Squad
1954 | Group stage | 10th | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 5 | 8 | Squad
1958 | 12th | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 3 | Squad
1962 | 6th | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Squad
1966 | Third place | 3rd | 7 | 6 | 0 | 1 | 18 | 5 | Squad
1970 | Fourth place | 4th | 7 | 5 | 0 | 2 | 8 | 5 | Squad
1974 | Group stage | 9th | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 4 | Squad
1978 | 9th | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 5 | 5 | Squad
1982 | Quarter-finals | 5th | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 6 | 3 | Squad
1986 | Group stage | 9th | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 9 | 4 | Squad
1990 | Quarter-finals | 8th | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 3 | Squad
1994 | 7th | 4 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 9 | 5 | Squad
1998 | Group stage | 9th | 5 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 8 | 4 | Squad
2002–present  | See Japan national under-23 football team
Total | Third place | 13/13 | 50 | 25 | 4 | 21 | 83 | 56 | —

#### Match history

[edit]

Asian Games history

Year  | Round  | Opponent  | Score  | Result
1951 | Semi-finals |  Iran | 0–0 | Draw
Replay match |  Iran | 2–3 | Loss
Bronze play-off |  Afghanistan | 2–0 | Win
1954 | First round |  Indonesia | 3–5 | Loss
India | 2–3 | Loss
1958 | First round |  Philippines | 0–1 | Loss
Hong Kong | 0–2 | Loss
1962 | First round |  Thailand | 3–1 | Win
India | 0–2 | Loss
South Korea | 0–1 | Loss
1966 | First round |  India | 2–1 | Win
Iran | 3–1 | Win
Malaysia | 1–0 | Win
Second round |  Singapore | 5–1 | Win
Thailand | 5–1 | Win
Semi-finals |  Iran | 0–1 | Loss
Bronze play-off |  Singapore | 2–0 | Win
1970 | First round |  Malaysia | 1–0 | Win
Khmer Republic | 1–0 | Win
Burma | 2–1 | Win
Second round |  Indonesia | 2–1 | Win
India | 1–0 | Win
Semi-finals |  South Korea | 1–2 | Loss
Bronze play-off |  India | 0–1 | Loss
1974 | First round |  Philippines | 4–0 | Win
Malaysia | 1–1 | Draw
Israel | 0–3 | Loss
1978 | First round |  Kuwait | 0–2 | Loss
Bahrain | 4–0 | Win
South Korea | 1–3 | Loss
1982 | First round |  Iran | 1–0 | Win
South Yemen | 3–1 | Win
South Korea | 2–1 | Win
Quarter-finals |  Iraq | 0–1 | Loss
1986 | First round |  Nepal | 5–0 | Win
Iran | 0–2 | Loss
Kuwait | 0–2 | Loss
Bangladesh | 4–0 | Win
1990 | First round |  Bangladesh | 3–0 | Win
Saudi Arabia | 0–2 | Loss
Quarter-finals |  Iran | 0–1 | Loss
1994 | First round |  UAE | 1–1 | Draw
Qatar | 1–1 | Draw
Myanmar | 5–0 | Win
Quarter-finals |  South Korea | 2–3 | Loss
1998 | First round |  Nepal | 5–0 | Win
India | 1–0 | Win
Second round |  South Korea | 0–2 | Loss
Kuwait | 2–1 | Win
UAE | 0–1 | Loss

### EAFF E-1 Championship

[edit]

EAFF E-1 Championship record

Year  | Result  | Position  | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | Squad
2003 | Runners-up | 2nd | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 0 | Squad
2005 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 3 | Squad
2008 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 2 | Squad
2010 | Third Place | 3rd | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 3 | Squad
2013 | Champions | 1st | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 8 | 6 | Squad
2015 | Fourth Place | 4th | 3 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 4 | Squad
2017 | Runners-up | 2nd | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 5 | Squad
2019 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 7 | 2 | Squad
2022 | Champions | 1st | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 9 | 0 | Squad
Total  | Champions  | 9/9 | 27 | 13 | 9 | 5 | 44 | 25 | —

#### Match history

[edit]

EAFF E-1 Championship history

Year  | Round  | Opponent  | Score  | Result
2003 | First match |  China | 2–0 | Win
Second match |  Hong Kong | 1–0
Third match |  South Korea | 0–0 | Draw
2005 | First match |  North Korea | 0–1 | Loss
Second match |  China | 2–2 | Draw
Third match |  South Korea | 1–0 | Win
2008 | First match |  North Korea | 1–1 | Draw
Second match |  China | 1–0 | Win
Third match |  South Korea | 1–1 | Draw
2010 | First match |  China | 0–0 | Draw
Second match |  Hong Kong | 3–0 | Win
Third match |  South Korea | 1–3 | Loss
2013 | First match |  China | 3–3 | Draw
Second match |  Australia | 3–2 | Win
Third match |  South Korea | 2–1 | Win
2015 | First match |  North Korea | 1–2 | Loss
Second match |  South Korea | 1–1 | Draw
Third match |  China | 1–1 | Draw
2017 | First match |  North Korea | 1–0 | Win
Second match |  China | 2–1
Third match |  South Korea | 1–4 | Loss
2019 | First match |  China | 2–1 | Win
Second match |  Hong Kong | 5–0
Third match |  South Korea | 0–1 | Loss
2022 | First match |  Hong Kong | 6–0 | Win
Second match |  China | 0–0 | Draw
Third match |  South Korea | 3–0 | Win

## Head-to-head record

[edit]

Main article: Japan national football team records and statistics § Head-to-head record

The following table shows Japan's all-time international record, correct as of 15 October 2024.[139]
Opponent  | From  | To  | Pld  | W  | D  | L  | GF  | GA  | GD

|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|

Afghanistan | 1951 | 2015 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 13 | 0 | +13
Angola | 2005 | 2005 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | +1
Argentina | 1964 | 2010 | 8 | 1 | 0 | 7 | 4 | 16 | −12
Australia | 1956 | 2024 | 28 | 11 | 10 | 6 | 40 | 31 | +9
Austria | 2007 | 2007 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0
Azerbaijan | 2012 | 2012 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | +2
Bahrain | 1978 | 2024 | 13 | 10 | 1 | 2 | 26 | 11 | +15
Bangladesh | 1975 | 1993 | 5 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 22 | 1 | +21
Belarus | 2013 | 2013 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | −1
Belgium | 1999 | 2018 | 6 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 11 | 8 | +3
Bolivia | 1999 | 2019 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 2 | +3
Bosnia and Herzegovina | 2006 | 2016 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 6 | 4 | +2
Brazil | 1968 | 2022 | 13 | 0 | 2 | 11 | 5 | 35 | −30
Brunei | 1980 | 2000 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 29 | 1 | +28
Bulgaria | 1976 | 2016 | 6 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 10 | 13 | −3
Cambodia | 1964 | 2015 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 0 | +10
Cameroon | 2001 | 2020 | 6 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 5 | 0 | +5
Canada | 2001 | 2023 | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 10 | 4 | +6
Chile | 2008 | 2019 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 4 | 0
China | 1917 | 2024 | 35 | 17 | 8 | 10 | 53 | 41 | +12
Chinese Taipei | 1963 | 1983 | 7 | 6 | 0 | 1 | 24 | 7 | +17
Colombia | 2003 | 2023 | 6 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 4 | 9 | −5
Costa Rica | 1995 | 2022 | 5 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 10 | 3 | +7
Croatia | 1997 | 2022 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 5 | 5 | 0
Cyprus | 2014 | 2014 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | +1
Czech Republic | 1998 | 2011 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | +1
Denmark | 1971 | 2010 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 4 | +1
Ecuador | 1995 | 2022 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 5 | 1 | +4
Egypt | 1998 | 2007 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 1 | +4
El Salvador | 2019 | 2023 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 0 | +8
England | 1995 | 2010 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 5 | −2
Finland | 2006 | 2009 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 1 | +6
France | 1968 | 2012 | 6 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 5 | 14 | −9
Germany | 2004 | 2023 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 8 | 7 | +1
Ghana | 1994 | 2022 | 7 | 5 | 0 | 2 | 16 | 9 | +5
Greece | 2005 | 2014 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | +1
Guatemala | 2010 | 2013 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 1 | +4
Haiti | 2017 | 2017 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 0
Honduras | 2002 | 2014 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 14 | 7 | +7
Hong Kong | 1958 | 2022 | 27 | 16 | 6 | 5 | 59 | 17 | +42
Hungary | 1993 | 2004 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 4 | −2
Iceland | 1971 | 2012 | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 9 | 4 | +5
India | 1954 | 2006 | 12 | 11 | 1 | 6 | 41 | 19 | +22
Indonesia | 1954 | 2024 | 16 | 9 | 2 | 5 | 36 | 24 | +12
Iran | 1951 | 2024 | 19 | 6 | 6 | 7 | 22 | 21 | +1
Iraq | 1978 | 2024 | 13 | 7 | 3 | 3 | 19 | 10 | +9
Israel | 1973 | 1977 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 1 | 10 | −9
Italy | 2001 | 2013 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 5 | −1
Ivory Coast | 1993 | 2020 | 5 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 4 | 0
Jamaica | 1998 | 2014 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 7 | 3 | +4
Jordan | 1988 | 2015 | 6 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 12 | 4 | +8
Kazakhstan | 1997 | 2005 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 10 | 2 | +8
Kuwait | 1978 | 1998 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 2 | 8 | −6
Kyrgyzstan | 2018 | 2021 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 11 | 1 | +10
Latvia | 2005 | 2013 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 2 | +3
Macau | 1980 | 2000 | 5 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 45 | 0 | +45
Malaysia | 1958 | 2004 | 35 | 13 | 11 | 11 | 56 | 55 | +1
Mali | 2018 | 2018 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0
Malta | 2006 | 2006 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | +1
Mexico | 1996 | 2020 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 6 | 11 | −5
Mongolia | 1942 | 2021 | 5 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 71 | 0 | +71
Montenegro | 2007 | 2007 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | +2
Myanmar | 1994 | 2024 | 5 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 27 | 0 | +27
Nepal | 1986 | 1998 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 19 | 0 | +19
Netherlands | 2009 | 2013 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 6 | −4
New Zealand | 1981 | 2017 | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 9 | 4 | +5
Nigeria | 1995 | 2003 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 0
North Korea | 1975 | 2024 | 22 | 10 | 4 | 8 | 23 | 16 | +7
Norway | 2002 | 2002 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 | −3
Oman | 1988 | 2021 | 14 | 10 | 3 | 1 | 21 | 5 | +16
Pakistan | 1960 | 1988 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 6 | 5 | +1
Palestine | 2015 | 2015 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | +4
Panama | 2018 | 2020 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | +4
Paraguay | 1995 | 2022 | 12 | 5 | 4 | 2 | 15 | 10 | +5
Peru | 1999 | 2023 | 6 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 8 | 5 | +3
Philippines | 1917 | 1974 | 13 | 8 | 0 | 5 | 33 | 33 | 0
Poland | 1996 | 2018 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 7 | 1 | +6
Qatar | 1982 | 2019 | 10 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 12 | 13 | −1
Romania | 1974 | 2003 | 6 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 6 | 13 | −7
Russia | 1995 | 2002 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 2 | +2
Saudi Arabia | 1982 | 2024 | 19 | 12 | 1 | 6 | 29 | 17 | +12
Scotland | 1995 | 2009 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | +2
Senegal | 1987 | 2018 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 7 | −3
Serbia | 2010 | 2021 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 5 | −4
Singapore | 1959 | 2015 | 28 | 23 | 2 | 3 | 67 | 21 | +46
Slovakia | 2000 | 2004 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 2 | +3
Spain | 2001 | 2022 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 0
South Africa | 2009 | 2009 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0
South Korea | 1954 | 2022 | 81 | 16 | 23 | 42 | 76 | 124 | −48
Sri Lanka | 1972 | 1993 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 16 | 0 | +16
Sweden | 1936 | 2002 | 5 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 7 | 7 | 0
Switzerland | 1993 | 2018 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 6 | −1
Syria | 1978 | 2024 | 13 | 11 | 2 | 0 | 37 | 9 | +28
Tajikistan | 2011 | 2021 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 19 | 1 | +18
Thailand | 1960 | 2024 | 28 | 19 | 6 | 3 | 70 | 23 | +47
Togo | 2009 | 2009 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 | +5
Trinidad and Tobago | 2006 | 2019 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | +2
Tunisia | 1996 | 2023 | 6 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 8 | 3 | +5
Turkey | 1997 | 2023 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 3 | +2
Turkmenistan | 2019 | 2019 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 2 | +1
Ukraine | 2002 | 2018 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 3 | −1
United Arab Emirates | 1981 | 2017 | 20 | 6 | 9 | 5 | 22 | 18 | +4
United States | 1993 | 2022 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 7 | 4 | +3
Uruguay | 1985 | 2023 | 9 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 18 | 24 | −6
Uzbekistan | 1996 | 2019 | 11 | 7 | 3 | 1 | 30 | 10 | +20
Venezuela | 2010 | 2019 | 5 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 6 | 6 | 0
Vietnam | 2007 | 2024 | 6 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 12 | 4 | +8
Wales | 1992 | 1992 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | −1
Yemen | 2006 | 2010 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 3 | +5
Zambia | 2014 | 2014 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 3 | +1
Total (110 Countries) | 1917 | 2024 | 809 | 385 | 165 | 249 | 1,429 | 951 | +482

## Honours

[edit]

### Major competitions

[edit]

Worldwide

* Olympic Games
* Bronze medal (1): 1968
* FIFA Confederations Cup
* Runners-up (1): 2001

Intercontinental

* Afro-Asian Cup of Nations
* Champions (2): 1993, 2007
* AFC–OFC Challenge Cup
* Champions (1): 2001

Continental

* AFC Asian Cup
* Champions (4): 1992, 2000, 2004, 2011
* Runners-up (1): 2019
* Asian Games
* Bronze medal (2): 1951, 1966

### Regional

[edit]

* Far Eastern Games
* Gold medal (1): 1930
* EAFF East Asian Cup EAFF / E-1 Football Championship
* Champions (2): 2013, 2022
* Runners-up (5): 2003, 2005, 2008, 2017, 2019
* Third place (1): 2010
* Dynasty Cup
* Champions (3): 1992, 1995, 1998

### Friendly

[edit]

* Kirin Cup
* Champions (12): 1991, 1995, 1996, 1997, 2000, 2001, 2004, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2011, 2015
* Bangabandhu Cup
* Champions (1): 1999

## Awards

[edit]

* AFC National Team of the Year

Years: 2000, 2004, 2005, 2008, 2010, 2011

* Japan Professional Sports Grand Prize

Years: 2002

## See also

[edit]

National teams
Men's

* Japan national under-23 football team
* Japan national under-20 football team
* Japan national under-17 football team
* Japan national futsal team
* Japan national under-20 futsal team
* Japan national beach soccer team

Women's

* Japan women's national football team
* Japan women's national under-23 football team
* Japan women's national under-20 football team
* Japan women's national under-17 football team

## Notes

[edit]

1. ^ A common methodology of nickname creation is done by taking the last name of incumbent head coach followed by "Japan". Past teams have been referred to as, "Osim Japan" (オシムジャパン, Oshimu Japan), "Zico Japan" (ジーコジャパン, Jīko Japan), "Troussier Japan" (トルシエジャパン, Torushie Japan)
2. ^ North Korea were originally scheduled to play host to Japan in Kim Il-sung Stadium. However, North Korea then decided against hosting it due to "a malignant infectious disease" spreading in Japan.[126] Due to the time gap and North Korea's inability to provide an alternative venue, FIFA subsequently decided that the match shall neither be played nor rescheduled, and the matter will be decided by FIFA Disciplinary Committee.[127] It was later announced that Japan would be awarded a 3–0 victory by forfeit.[128]
3. ^ Monaco is a Monégasque club playing in the French football league system.

## References

[edit]

1. ^ a b c "SAMURAI BLUE". JFA｜公益財団法人日本サッカー協会 (in Japanese). Archived from the original on 17 December 2021.
2. ^ a b c "SAMURAI BLUE". Archived from the original on 25 November 2020.
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## External links

[edit]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Japan national football team.

* Official website at JFA.jp (in English)
* Japan at FIFA
* Japan at AFC
* Japan at the World Cups at TheFIFAWorldCups.com
* Japan national football team fixtures and results (2022) at JFA.jp

Awards and achievements

Preceded by

1988 Saudi Arabia

|  Asian Champions
1992 (1st title)  | Succeeded by

1996 Saudi Arabia

Preceded by

1996 Saudi Arabia

|  Asian Champions
2000 (2nd title)
2004 (3rd title)  | Succeeded by

2007 Iraq

Preceded by

2007 Iraq

|  Asian Champions
2011 (4th title)  | Succeeded by

2015 Australia

* v
* t
* e

AFC Asian Cup winners

* 1956: South Korea
* 1960: South Korea
* 1964: Israel
* 1968: Iran
* 1972: Iran
* 1976: Iran
* 1980: Kuwait
* 1984: Saudi Arabia
* 1988: Saudi Arabia
* 1992: Japan
* 1996: Saudi Arabia
* 2000: Japan
* 2004: Japan
* 2007: Iraq
* 2011: Japan
* 2015: Australia
* 2019: Qatar
* 2023: Qatar

* v
* t
* e

Japan national football team

General|

* Japan Football Association (JFA)
* History
* Managers

Venues|

* Japan National Stadium
* Saitama Stadium 2002

Statistics|

* All-time match results
* Records and statistics
* Head-to-head record
* Hat-tricks
* All-time goalscorers

Players|

* Players (by caps)
* Other players
* Captains

World Cup Finals|

* Summary
* 1998
* 2002
* 2006
* 2010
* 2014
* 2018
* 2022

AFC Asian Cup Finals|

* Summary
* 1988
* 1992
* 1996
* 2000
* 2004
* 2007
* 2011
* 2015
* 2019
* 2023
* 2027

Other tournaments|

* EAFF E-1 Football Championship
* East Asian Games
* Asian Games
* Olympics
* Copa América
* FIFA Confederations Cup

Culture|

* Rivalries
* South Korea
* China
* North Korea
* Australia
* Saudi Arabia
* Iran
* Agony of Doha

Other JFA teams|

* Men's
* U-17
* U-20
* U-23
* Women's
* U-17
* U-20
* U-23
* Futsal
* U-20
* women's
* Beach soccer
* Esports

* v
* t
* e

Football in Japan

* Records
* Trophies and awards
* Venues
* History

National association|

* Japan Football Association (JFA)

National teams
(2024)|

| Men|

* Japan
* results
* footballers
* managers
* B
* U-23
* results
* footballers
* managers
* U-20
* U-17
* Futsal
* U-23
* U-20
* Beach soccer
* FIFAe

|

Women|

* Japan
* results
* footballers
* managers
* B
* U-23
* results
* footballers
* managers
* U-20
* U-17
* Futsal
* U-23
* U-20
* Beach soccer

Leagues
(2024)|

| Men|

* J.League
* J1 League
* J2 League
* J3 League
* Japan Football League (JFL)
* Regional Leagues
* Prince Takamado Cup
* U-18 Premier League
* U-18 Prince Leagues

|

Women|

* WE League
* Nadeshiko League
* Division 1
* Division 2

Cups
(2024)|

| Men|

* Emperor's Cup
* YBC Levain Cup
* Fujifilm Super Cup
* Shakaijin Cup
* Club Teams Cup
* Intercollegiate Cup
* All Japan High School Cup
* Inter-High
* Club Youth Cup

|

Women|

* Empress's Cup
* WE League Cup
* Intercollegiate

International cups|

| Men|

* Kirin Cup Soccer (Senior)
* Kirin Challenge Cup (Senior / U-23)
* SBS Cup (U-18)
* Ibaraki Next Generation Cup (U-18)
* International Youth Soccer in Niigata (U-17)
* U-16 International Dream Cup

|

Women|

* MS&AD Cup (Senior)
* JENESYS U-17 Women’s Football Memorial Cup

Culture|

| Historical matches|

* Japan v Iraq (1994 FIFA World Cup qualification)

|

Anime and Manga|

* Aoashi
* Blue Lock
* Captain Tsubasa
* Days
* Giant Killing
* Inazuma Eleven

Rivalries|

* National teams
* Japan–South Korea
* Australia–Japan
* China–Japan
* North Korea–Japan

* Football in Japan by prefecture
* Tokyo
* Osaka
* by city
* Competitions

* v
* t
* e

Japan national football team results

* 1923
* 1925
* 1927
* 1930
* 1934
* 1936
* 1940
* 1951
* 1954
* 1955
* 1956
* 1958
* 1959
* 1960
* 1961
* 1962
* 1963
* 1964
* 1965
* 1966
* 1967
* 1968
* 1969
* 1970
* 1971
* 1972
* 1973
* 1974
* 1975
* 1976
* 1977
* 1978
* 1979
* 1980
* 1981
* 1982
* 1983
* 1984
* 1985
* 1986
* 1987
* 1988
* 1989
* 1990
* 1991
* 1992
* 1993
* 1994
* 1995
* 1996
* 1997
* 1998
* 1999
* 2000
* 2001
* 2002
* 2003
* 2004
* 2005
* 2006
* 2007
* 2008
* 2009
* 2010
* 2011
* 2012
* 2013
* 2014
* 2015
* 2016
* 2017
* 2018
* 2019
* 2020
* 2021
* 2022
* 2023
* 2024

* v
* t
* e

Japan Professional Sports Grand Prize

* 1968: Shozo Saijo
* 1969: Yomiuri Giants
* 1970: Taihō Kōki
* 1971: Shigeo Nagashima
* 1972: Katsuaki Matsumoto
* 1973: Tadashi Sawamura
* 1974: Sadaharu Oh
* 1975: Hiroshima Toyo Carp
* 1976: Sadaharu Oh
* 1977: Sadaharu Oh
* 1978: Yakult Swallows
* 1979: Yoko Gushiken
* 1980: Yoko Gushiken
* 1981: Koichi Nakano
* 1982: Hiromitsu Ochiai
* 1983: Tatsuro Hirooka
* 1984: Sachio Kinugasa
* 1985: Randy Bass
* 1986: Hiromitsu Ochiai
* 1987: Ayako Okamoto
* 1988: Chiyonofuji Mitsugu
* 1989: Chiyonofuji Mitsugu
* 1990: Hideo Nomo
* 1991: Joichiro Tatsuyoshi
* 1992: Takanohana Kōji
* 1993: Kazuyoshi Miura
* 1994: Ichiro Suzuki
* 1995: Ichiro Suzuki
* 1996: Masashi Ozaki
* 1997: Hidetoshi Nakata
* 1998: Kazuhiro Sasaki
* 1999: Daisuke Matsuzaka
* 2000: Hideki Matsui
* 2001: Ichiro Suzuki
* 2002: Japan men's football team
* 2003: Hideki Matsui
* 2004: Asashōryū Akinori
* 2005: Asashōryū Akinori
* 2006: Japan national baseball team
* 2007: Urawa Red Diamonds
* 2008: Ryo Ishikawa
* 2009: Ryo Ishikawa
* 2010: Hakuhō Shō
* 2011: Japan women's football team
* 2012: Shinnosuke Abe
* 2013: Masahiro Tanaka
* 2014: Kei Nishikori
* 2015: Japan national rugby union team
* 2016: Shohei Ohtani
* 2017: Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks
* 2018: Shohei Ohtani
* 2022: Naoya Inoue
* 2023: Japan national baseball team

* v
* t
* e

National football teams of East Asia (EAFF)

Men's|

* China PR
* Chinese Taipei (Taiwan)
* Guam
* Hong Kong
* Japan
* Korea DPR
* Korea Republic
* Macau
* Mongolia
* Northern Mariana Islands†

Women's|

* China PR
* Chinese Taipei (Taiwan)
* Guam
* Hong Kong
* Japan
* Korea DPR
* Korea Republic
* Macau
* Mongolia
* Northern Mariana Islands†

†AFC member only

* v
* t
* e

National men's football teams of Asia (AFC)

AFC Asian Cup

West Asia (WAFF)|

* Bahrain
* Iraq
* Jordan
* Kuwait
* Lebanon
* Oman
* Palestine
* Qatar
* Saudi Arabia
* Syria
* United Arab Emirates
* Yemen

Central Asia (CAFA)|

* Afghanistan
* Iran
* Kyrgyzstan
* Tajikistan
* Turkmenistan
* Uzbekistan

South Asia (SAFF)|

* Bangladesh
* Bhutan
* India
* Maldives
* Nepal
* Pakistan
* Sri Lanka

East Asia (EAFF)|

* China
* Chinese Taipei1
* Guam
* Hong Kong
* Japan
* Macau
* Mongolia
* North Korea
* Northern Mariana Islands2
* South Korea

Southeast Asia (AFF)|

* Australia
* Brunei
* Cambodia
* East Timor
* Indonesia
* Laos
* Malaysia
* Myanmar
* Philippines
* Singapore
* Thailand
* Vietnam

Defunct|

* Malaya
* Manchukuo
* North Vietnam
* South Vietnam
* South Yemen

Former|

* Israel (moved to UEFA in 1994)
* Kazakhstan (moved to UEFA in 2002)
* New Zealand (formed the OFC in 1966)

* 1 Taiwan, officially the Republic of China, competes as "Chinese Taipei"
* 2 Not a member of FIFA

* v
* t
* e

National sports teams of Japan

Men|

* A1GP
* American football
* Australian rules football
* Bandy
* Baseball
* U-18
* Basketball
* U-17
* U-19
* 3x3
* U-23 3x3
* Wheelchair
* Boxing
* Cricket
* U-19
* Field hockey
* Floorball
* U-19
* Football
* U-23
* U-20
* U-17
* Futsal
* U-23
* U-20
* Beach soccer
* eFootball
* Cerebral palsy
* Goalball
* Gymnastics
* Handball
* MJ
* MY
* Ice hockey
* Junior
* U-18
* Kabaddi
* Korfball
* Lacrosse
* Roller hockey
* Rugby league
* Rugby union
* 7s
* U-20
* Wheelchair
* Softball
* U-19
* Squash
* Tennis
* Volleyball
* U-21
* U-19
* Water polo

Women|

* Baseball
* Basketball
* U-19
* U-17
* 3x3
* U-23 3x3
* Wheelchair
* Beach handball
* Cricket
* Field hockey
* U-21
* Floorball
* Football
* U-23
* U-20
* U-17
* Futsal
* Goalball
* Gymnastics
* Handball
* W-J
* Ice hockey
* F U-18
* Rugby union
* 7s
* Softball
* U-18
* Squash
* Tennis
* Volleyball
* U-23
* U-21
* U-19
* Water polo

Mixed|

* Badminton
* Baseball5
* Boxing
* Tennis
* Wheelchair handball

* Olympics
* Paralympics
* Asian Games
* Universiade
* Youth Olympics

*[No.]: Number
*[Pos.]: Position
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