Japan national football team

Japan

Nickname(s)	Samurai Blue Japanese Representatives (of soccer) ((サッカー)日本代表, (Sakkā) Nippon Daihyō?)
Association	Japan Football Association
Confederation	AFC (Asia)
Head coach	Alberto Zaccheroni
Captain	Makoto Hasebe
Most caps	Masami Ihara (122)
Top scorer	Kunishige Kamamoto (75)
FIFA code	JPN
FIFA ranking	32
Highest FIFA ranking	9 (February 1998)
Lowest FIFA ranking	62 (February 2000)
Elo ranking	23
Highest Elo ranking	8 (August 2001, March 2002)
Lowest Elo ranking	112 (September 1962)
Home colours Away colours
First international
Japan 0–5 Republic of China  (Tokyo, Japan; May 9, 1917)
Biggest win
Japan 15–0 Philippines  (Tokyo, Japan; September 27, 1967)
Biggest defeat
Japan 2–15 Philippines  (Tokyo, Japan; May 10, 1917)
World Cup
Appearances	4 (First in 1998)
Best result	Round 2, 2002, 2010
Asian Cup
Appearances	6 (First in 1988)
Best result	Champions, 1992, 2000, 2004
Confederations Cup
Appearances	4 (First in 1995)
Best result	Runners-Up, 2001

The Japan national football team is the national association football team of Japan and is controlled by the Japan Football Association.

The Japanese team is commonly known by the fans and media as Soccer Nippon Daihyō (サッカー日本代表^?), or Nippon Daihyō (日本代表^?), Daihyō (代表^?) as abbreviated expressions. Although the team does not have an official nickname as such, it is often known by the name of the manager. For example, under Takeshi Okada, the team was known as Okada Japan (岡田ジャパン, Okada Japan^?).^[1] Recently the team has been known or nicknamed as the "Samurai Blue".

Japan is one of the most successful national teams in Asia, being a three-time winner of the AFC Asian Cup and having qualified for the last four consecutive FIFA World Cup finals.

History

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.^[2]

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. With the launch of the new league in 1993, interest in football and the national team grew.

However, in its first attempt to qualify with professional players, Japan narrowly missed a ticket to the 1994 FIFA World Cup after failing to beat Iraq in the final match of the qualification round, remembered by fans as the Agony of Doha.

The nation's first FIFA World Cup appearance was in 1998, where they lost all three matches. Japan's first two fixtures went 1–0 in favor of Argentina and Croatia, despite playing well in both games. Their campaign ended with an unexpected 2–1 defeat to rank outsiders Jamaica.

Four years later, Japan co-hosted the 2002 FIFA World Cup with South Korea. Despite being held to a 2–2 draw by Belgium in their opening game, 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.

On June 8, 2005, Japan qualified for the 2006 FIFA World Cup in Germany, its third consecutive World Cup, by beating North Korea 2–0 in Bangkok, Thailand. However, Japan failed to advance to the Round of 16 after finishing group play without a win, losing to Australia 1–3, drawing Croatia 0-0 and losing to Brazil 1–4.

Japan has had considerably more success in the Asian Cup, taking home the winner's trophy in three of the last four finals, in 1992, 2000 and 2004. Their principal continental rivals are South Korea, followed by Saudi Arabia, and most recently Australia.

Japan is the only team from outside the Americas to participate in the Copa América, having been invited in 1999 and 2011.^[3]

During the 2010 FIFA 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, in Tashkent. Japan was put in Group E along with the Netherlands, Denmark and Cameroon.^[4] Japan won its opening game of the 2010 FIFA World Cup defeating Cameroon 1–0 but subsequently lost to the Netherlands 0-1 before defeating Denmark 3–1 to advance to the next round against Paraguay. In the first knockout round Japan were eliminated from the competition following penalties after a 0–0 draw against Paraguay.

Kits

Japan's current uniforms are provided by Adidas, the team's official apparel sponsor. The home kit consists of a blue jersey with a red square on the neck and feather designs, white shorts, and blue socks. The away kit consists of a white jersey, blue shorts, and white socks.

The national team kit design has gone through several alterations in the past. In the early 80s, the kit was white with blue trim. When Japan was coached by Kenzo Yokoyama (1988–1991) the kits were red and white, matching the colors of Japan's national flag. The kits worn for the 1992 Asian Cup consisted of white stripes with red diamonds. During Japan's first World Cup appearance in 1998, the national team kits were blue jerseys with red and white flame designs on the sleeves.

Sponsorship

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 Kirin, Adidas, Sony, Saison Card International, FamilyMart, Fujifilm, JAL, and Nissan.^[5]

Schedule

For a detailed list of 2010 schedule fixtures and results refer to Japan national football team in 2010

Date	Opponent	Result	Score*	Venue	Competition
06 Jan 2010	Yemen	W	3–2	Ali Muhesen Stadium, Sana'a, Yemen	2011 AFC Asian Cup qualification
02 Feb 2010	Venezuela	D	0–0	Ōita Stadium, Ōita, Japan	International Friendly (2010 Kirin Challenge Cup)
06 Feb 2010	China PR	D	0–0	Tokyo Stadium, Tokyo, Japan	2010 East Asian Football Championship
11 Feb 2010	Hong Kong	W	3–0	National Stadium, Tokyo, Japan	2010 East Asian Football Championship
14 Feb 2010	Korea Republic	L	1–3	National Stadium, Tokyo, Japan	2010 East Asian Football Championship
03 Mar 2010	Bahrain	W	2–0	Toyota Stadium, Toyota, Japan	2011 AFC Asian Cup qualification
07 Apr 2010	Serbia	L	0–3	Nagai Stadium, Osaka, Japan	International Friendly (2010 Kirin Challenge Cup)
24 May 2010	Korea Republic	L	0–2	Saitama Stadium 2002, Saitama, Japan	International Friendly (2010 Kirin Challenge Cup)
30 May 2010	England	L	1–2	UPC-Arena, Graz, Austria	International Friendly
04 Jun 2010	Côte d'Ivoire	L	0–2	Stade Tourbillon, Sion, Switzerland	International Friendly
14 Jun 2010	Cameroon	W	1–0	Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein, South Africa	2010 FIFA World Cup Group E
19 Jun 2010	Netherlands	L	0–1	Moses Mabhida Stadium, Durban, South Africa	2010 FIFA World Cup Group E
24 Jun 2010	Denmark	W	3–1	Royal Bafokeng Stadium, Rustenburg, South Africa	2010 FIFA World Cup Group E
29 Jun 2010	Paraguay	D	0–0	Loftus Versfeld Stadium, Pretoria, South Africa	2010 FIFA World Cup Round of 16
04 Sep 2010	Paraguay	W	1–0	International Stadium Yokohama, Yokohama, Japan	International Friendly (2010 Kirin Challenge Cup)
07 Sep 2010	Guatemala	W	2–1	Nagai Stadium, Osaka, Japan	International Friendly (2010 Kirin Challenge Cup)
08 Oct 2010	Argentina			Saitama Stadium 2002, Saitama, Japan	International Friendly (2010 Kirin Challenge Cup)
12 Oct 2010	Korea Republic			Seoul World Cup Stadium, Seoul, Korea Republic	International Friendly
09 Jan 2011	Jordan			Qatar SC Stadium, Doha, Qatar	2011 AFC Asian Cup
13 Jan 2011	Syria			Qatar SC Stadium, Doha, Qatar	2011 AFC Asian Cup
17 Jan 2011	Saudi Arabia			Ahmed bin Ali Stadium, Ar Rayyan, Qatar	2011 AFC Asian Cup

* Japan score always listed first

Players

Current squad

Squad selected for the international friendlies (Kirin Challenge Cup 2010) against Paraguay on 4 September 2010 in the International Stadium Yokohama, Yokohama and against Guatemala on 7 September 2010 in Nagai Stadium, Osaka.^[6]

#	Name	Date of Birth (Age)	Caps	Goals	Club
Goalkeepers
1	Eiji Kawashima	March 20, 1983 (1983-03-20) (age 27)	15	0	Lierse S.K.
21	Seigo Narazaki	April 15, 1976 (1976-04-15) (age 34)	76	0	Nagoya Grampus
Defenders
3	Yūichi Komano	July 25, 1981 (1981-07-25) (age 29)	58	0	Júbilo Iwata
4	Marcus Tulio Tanaka	April 24, 1981 (1981-04-24) (age 29)	43	8	Nagoya Grampus
5	Yuto Nagatomo	September 12, 1986 (1986-09-12) (age 24)	31	3	A.C. Cesena
6	Atsuto Uchida	March 27, 1988 (1988-03-27) (age 22)	32	1	FC Schalke 04
13	Daiki Iwamasa	January 30, 1982 (1982-01-30) (age 29)	3	0	Kashima Antlers
20	Yuzo Kurihara	September 18, 1983 (1983-09-18) (age 27)	3	0	Yokohama F. Marinos
22	Yuji Nakazawa	February 25, 1978 (1978-02-25) (age 32)	110	17	Yokohama F. Marinos
23	Tomoaki Makino	May 11, 1987 (1987-05-11) (age 23)	3	0	Sanfrecce Hiroshima
25	Mitsuru Nagata	April 6, 1983 (1983-04-06) (age 27)	0	0	Albirex Niigata
Midfielders
2	Hideo Hashimoto	May 21, 1979 (1979-05-21) (age 31)	14	0	Gamba Osaka
7	Yasuhito Endō	January 28, 1980 (1980-01-28) (age 31)	98	9	Gamba Osaka
8	Daisuke Matsui	May 11, 1981 (1981-05-11) (age 29)	28	1	FC Tom Tomsk
11	Shinji Kagawa	March 17, 1989 (1989-03-17) (age 21)	14	3	Borussia Dortmund
12	Jungo Fujimoto	March 24, 1984 (1984-03-24) (age 26)	5	0	Shimizu S-Pulse
14	Kengo Nakamura	October 31, 1980 (1980-10-31) (age 30)	49	5	Kawasaki Frontale
15	Yasuyuki Konno	January 25, 1983 (1983-01-25) (age 28)	38	0	F.C. Tokyo
16	Hajime Hosogai	June 10, 1986 (1986-06-10) (age 24)	1	0	Urawa Red Diamonds
17	Makoto Hasebe	January 18, 1984 (1984-01-18) (age 27)	35	1	VfL Wolfsburg
18	Keisuke Honda	June 13, 1986 (1986-06-13) (age 24)	20	6	PFC CSKA Moscow
24	Takashi Inui	June 2, 1988 (1988-06-02) (age 22)	2	0	Cerezo Osaka
Forwards
9	Shinji Okazaki	April 16, 1986 (1986-04-16) (age 24)	33	17	Shimizu S-Pulse
19	Takayuki Morimoto	May 7, 1988 (1988-05-07) (age 22)	7	1	Calcio Catania

Recent callups

The following players have also been called up to the Japan squad within the last 12 months.

Name	Date of Birth (Age)	Caps	Goals	Club	Most Recent Callup
Goalkeepers
Yoshikatsu Kawaguchi	August 15, 1976 (1976-08-15) (age 34)	116	0	Júbilo Iwata	2010 FIFA World Cup v Paraguay 29 Jun 2010
Shusaku Nishikawa	June 18, 1986 (1986-06-18) (age 24)	1	0	Sanfrecce Hiroshima	2010 East Asian Football Championship v Korea Republic 14 Feb 2010
Shuichi Gonda	March 3, 1989 (1989-03-03) (age 21)	1	0	F.C. Tokyo	2011 AFC Asian Cup qualification v Yemen 06 Jan 2010
Kaito Yamamoto	July 10, 1985 (1985-07-10) (age 25)	0	0	Shimizu S-Pulse	International Friendly v Togo 14 Oct 2009
Ryōta Tsuzuki	April 18, 1978 (1978-04-18) (age 32)	6	0	Shonan Bellmare	International Friendly v Ghana 09 Sep 2009
Defenders
Yuhei Tokunaga	September 25, 1983 (1983-09-25) (age 27)	7	0	F.C. Tokyo	International Friendly v Serbia 07 Apr 2010
Taisuke Muramatsu	December 16, 1989 (1989-12-16) (age 21)	0	0	Shonan Bellmare	Kagoshima Training Session 25 - 31 Jan 2010
Naoya Kikuchi	November 24, 1984 (1984-11-24) (age 26)	1	0	Oita Trinita	2011 AFC Asian Cup qualification v Yemen 06 Jan 2010
Kosuke Ota	July 23, 1987 (1987-07-23) (age 23)	1	0	Shimizu S-Pulse	2011 AFC Asian Cup qualification v Yemen 06 Jan 2010
Maya Yoshida	August 24, 1988 (1988-08-24) (age 22)	1	0	VVV-Venlo	2011 AFC Asian Cup qualification v Yemen 06 Jan 2010
Gotoku Sakai	March 14, 1991 (1991-03-14) (age 19)	0	0	Albirex Niigata	2011 AFC Asian Cup qualification v Yemen 06 Jan 2010
Keisuke Iwashita	September 24, 1986 (1986-09-24) (age 24)	0	0	Shimizu S-Pulse	International Friendly v Togo 14 Oct 2009
Midfielders
Shunsuke Nakamura	June 24, 1978 (1978-06-24) (age 32)	98	24	Yokohama F. Marinos	2010 FIFA World Cup v Paraguay 29 Jun 2010
Junichi Inamoto	September 18, 1979 (1979-09-18) (age 31)	82	5	Kawasaki Frontale	2010 FIFA World Cup v Paraguay 29 Jun 2010
Yuki Abe	September 6, 1981 (1981-09-06) (age 29)	49	3	Leicester City F.C.	2010 FIFA World Cup v Paraguay 29 Jun 2010
Koji Yamase	September 22, 1981 (1981-09-22) (age 29)	13	5	Yokohama F. Marinos	International Friendly v Serbia 07 Apr 2010
Naohiro Ishikawa	May 12, 1981 (1981-05-12) (age 29)	5	0	F.C. Tokyo	International Friendly v Serbia 07 Apr 2010
Mitsuo Ogasawara	April 5, 1979 (1979-04-05) (age 31)	55	7	Kashima Antlers	2010 East Asian Football Championship v Korea Republic 14 Feb 2010
Mu Kanazaki	February 16, 1989 (1989-02-16) (age 21)	4	0	Nagoya Grampus	2010 East Asian Football Championship v Korea Republic 14 Feb 2010
Naoki Yamada	July 4, 1990 (1990-07-04) (age 20)	2	0	Urawa Red Diamonds	2011 AFC Asian Cup qualification v Yemen 06 Jan 2010
Yosuke Kashiwagi	December 15, 1987 (1987-12-15) (age 23)	1	0	Urawa Red Diamonds	2011 AFC Asian Cup qualification v Yemen 06 Jan 2010
Kazuya Yamamura	December 2, 1989 (1989-12-02) (age 21)	1	0	Ryutsu Keizai University F.C.	2011 AFC Asian Cup qualification v Yemen 06 Jan 2010
Takuji Yonemoto	December 3, 1990 (1990-12-03) (age 20)	1	0	F.C. Tokyo	2011 AFC Asian Cup qualification v Yemen 06 Jan 2010
Takuya Aoki	September 16, 1990 (1990-09-16) (age 20)	0	0	Omiya Ardija	2011 AFC Asian Cup qualification v Yemen 06 Jan 2010
Forwards
Keiji Tamada	April 11, 1980 (1980-04-11) (age 30)	72	16	Nagoya Grampus	2010 FIFA World Cup v Paraguay 29 Jun 2010
Yoshito Okubo	June 9, 1982 (1982-06-09) (age 28)	53	5	Vissel Kobe	2010 FIFA World Cup v Paraguay 29 Jun 2010
Kisho Yano	April 5, 1984 (1984-04-05) (age 26)	19	2	SC Freiburg	2010 FIFA World Cup v Paraguay 29 Jun 2010
Shinzo Koroki	July 31, 1986 (1986-07-31) (age 24)	11	0	Kashima Antlers	International Friendly v Serbia 07 Apr 2010
Kensuke Nagai	March 5, 1989 (1989-03-05) (age 21)	1	0	Fukuoka University	International Friendly v Serbia 07 Apr 2010
Sōta Hirayama	June 6, 1985 (1985-06-06) (age 25)	4	3	F.C. Tokyo	2011 AFC Asian Cup qualification v Bahrain 03 Mar 2010
Hisato Satō	March 12, 1982 (1982-03-12) (age 28)	31	4	Sanfrecce Hiroshima	2010 East Asian Football Championship v Korea Republic 14 Feb 2010
Kazuma Watanabe	August 10, 1986 (1986-08-10) (age 24)	1	0	Yokohama F. Marinos	2011 AFC Asian Cup qualification v Yemen 06 Jan 2010
Yuya Osako	May 18, 1990 (1990-05-18) (age 20)	0	0	Kashima Antlers	2011 AFC Asian Cup qualification v Yemen 06 Jan 2010
Ryoichi Maeda	October 9, 1981 (1981-10-09) (age 29)	5	2	Júbilo Iwata	International Friendly v Togo 14 Oct 2009

Records

Rosters

Managers

Manager Tenure Alberto Zaccheroni 2010– Takeshi Okada 2007–2010 Ivica Osim 2006–2007 Zico 2002–2006 Philippe Troussier 1998–2002 Takeshi Okada 1997–1998 Shu Kamo 1994–1997 Falcão 1994 Hans Ooft 1992–1993 Kenzo Yokoyama 1988–1991 Yoshinobu Ishii 1986–1987 Takaji Mori 1981–1985 Saburō Kawabuchi 1980–1981

Manager Tenure Masashi Watanabe 1980 Yukio Shimomura 1979–1980 Hiroshi Ninomiya 1976–1978 Ken Naganuma 1972–1976 Shunichiro Okano 1970–1971 Ken Naganuma 1962–1969 Hidetoki Takahashi 1960–1962 Shigemaru Takenokoshi 1958–1959 Taizo Kawamoto 1958 Hidetoki Takahashi 1957 Shigemaru Takenokoshi 1951–1956 Hirokazu Ninomiya 1951

Competitions

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

FIFA World Cup

FIFA World Cup Finals Record Qualifications Record Hosts / Year Result Position GP W D* L GS GA GP W D L GS GA 1930 Didn't Enter - - - - - - - - - - - - - 1934 Didn't Enter - - - - - - - - - - - - - 1938 Withdrew - - - - - - - - - - - - - 1950 Banned - - - - - - - - - - - - - 1954 Didn't Qualify - - - - - - - 2 0 1 1 3 7 1958 Didn't Enter - - - - - - - - - - - - - 1962 Didn't Qualify - - - - - - - 2 0 0 2 1 4 1966 Didn't Enter - - - - - - - - - - - - - 1970 Didn't Qualify - - - - - - - 4 0 2 2 4 8 1974 Didn't Qualify - - - - - - - 4 1 0 3 5 4 1978 Didn't Qualify - - - - - - - 4 0 1 3 0 5 1982 Didn't Qualify - - - - - - - 4 2 0 2 4 2 1986 Didn't Qualify - - - - - - - 8 5 1 2 15 5 1990 Didn't Qualify - - - - - - - 6 2 3 1 7 3 1994 Didn't Qualify - - - - - - - 13 9 3 1 35 6 1998 Round 1 31 3 0 0 3 1 4 15 9 5 1 51 12 2002 Round 2 9 4 2 1 1 5 3 - - - - - - 2006 Round 1 28 3 0 1 2 2 7 12 11 0 1 25 5 2010 Round 2 9 4 2 1 1 4 2 14 8 4 2 23 9 Total 4/19 Round 2 14 4 3 7 12 16 88 46 21 21 173 70

FIFA World Cup Finals History Year Round Score Result 1998 Round 1  Japan 0 – 1  Argentina Loss Round 1  Japan 0 – 1  Croatia Loss Round 1  Japan 1 – 2  Jamaica Loss 2002 Round 1  Japan 2 – 2  Belgium Draw Round 1  Japan 1 – 0  Russia Win Round 1  Japan 2 – 0  Tunisia Win Round 2  Japan 0 – 1  Turkey Loss 2006 Round 1  Japan 1 – 3  Australia Loss Round 1  Japan 0 – 0  Croatia Draw Round 1  Japan 1 – 4  Brazil Loss 2010 Round 1  Japan 1 – 0  Cameroon Win Round 1  Japan 0 – 1  Netherlands Loss Round 1  Japan 3 – 1  Denmark Win Round 2  Japan 0 – 0  Paraguay Draw

AFC Asian Cup

AFC Asian Cup Record Hosts / Year Result Position GP W D* L GS GA 1956 Didn't Enter - - - - - - - 1960 Didn't Enter - - - - - - - 1964 Didn't Enter - - - - - - - 1968 Didn't Qualify - - - - - - - 1972 Didn't Enter - - - - - - - 1976 Didn't Qualify - - - - - - - 1980 Didn't Enter - - - - - - - 1984 Didn't Enter - - - - - - - 1988 Round 1 10 4 0 1 3 0 6 1992 Champions 1 5 3 2 0 6 3 1996 Quarterfinals 7 4 3 0 1 7 3 2000 Champions 1 6 5 1 0 21 6 2004 Champions 1 6 4 2 0 13 6 2007 Fourth Place 4 6 2 3 1 11 7 2011 Qualified - - - - - - - Total 7/15 3 Titles 31 17 9 5 58 31

AFC Asian Cup History Year Round Score Result 1988 Round 1  Japan 0 – 0  Iran Draw Round 1  Japan 0 – 2  Korea Republic Loss Round 1  Japan 0 – 1  United Arab Emirates Loss Round 1  Japan 0 – 3  Qatar Loss 1992 Round 1  Japan 0 – 0  United Arab Emirates Draw Round 1  Japan 1 – 1  Korea DPR Draw Round 1  Japan 1 – 0  Iran Win Semifinals  Japan 3 – 2  China PR Win Finals  Japan 1 – 0  Saudi Arabia Win 1996 Round 1  Japan 2 – 1  Syria Win Round 1  Japan 4 – 0  Uzbekistan Win Round 1  Japan 1 – 0  China PR Win Quarterfinals  Japan 0 – 2  Kuwait Loss 2000 Round 1  Japan 4 – 1  Saudi Arabia Win Round 1  Japan 8 – 1  Uzbekistan Win Round 1  Japan 1 – 1  Qatar Draw Quarterfinals  Japan 4 – 1  Iraq Win Semifinals  Japan 3 – 2  China PR Win Finals  Japan 1 – 0  Saudi Arabia Win 2004 Round 1  Japan 1 – 0  Oman Win Round 1  Japan 4 – 1  Thailand Win Round 1  Japan 0 – 0  Iran Draw Quarterfinals  Japan 1 – 1  Jordan Draw Semifinals  Japan 4 – 3  Bahrain Win Finals  Japan 3 – 1  China PR Win 2007 Round 1  Japan 1 – 1  Qatar Draw Round 1  Japan 3 – 1  United Arab Emirates Win Round 1  Japan 4 – 1  Vietnam Win Quarterfinals  Japan 1 – 1  Australia Draw Semifinals  Japan 2 – 3  Saudi Arabia Loss Third Place  Japan 0 – 0  Korea Republic Draw 2011 Round 1  Japan –  Jordan Round 1  Japan –  Syria Round 1  Japan –  Saudi Arabia

FIFA Confederations Cup

FIFA Confederations Cup Record Hosts / Year Result Position GP W D L GS GA 1992 Didn't Qualify - - - - - - - 1995 Round 1 6 2 0 0 2 1 8 1997 Didn't Qualify - - - - - - - 1999 Didn't Qualify - - - - - - - 2001 Runners-Up 2 5 3 1 1 6 1 2003 Round 1 6 3 1 0 2 4 3 2005 Round 1 5 3 1 1 1 4 4 2009 Didn't Qualify - - - - - - - Total 4/8 Runners-Up 13 5 2 6 15 16

FIFA Confederations Cup History Year Round Score Result 1995 Round 1  Japan 0 – 3  Nigeria Loss Round 1  Japan 1 – 5  Argentina Loss 2001 Round 1  Japan 3 – 0  Canada Win Round 1  Japan 2 – 0  Cameroon Win Round 1  Japan 0 – 0  Brazil Draw Semifinals  Japan 1 – 0  Australia Win Final  Japan 0 – 1  France Loss 2003 Round 1  Japan 3 – 0  New Zealand Win Round 1  Japan 1 – 2  France Loss Round 1  Japan 0 – 1  Colombia Loss 2005 Round 1  Japan 1 – 2  Mexico Loss Round 1  Japan 1 – 0  Greece Win Round 1  Japan 2 – 2  Brazil Draw

Olympic Games

Since 1992, the Olympic team has been drawn from a squad with a maximum of three players over 23 years of age, and the achievements of this team are not generally regarded as part of the national teams records, nor are the statistics credited to the players' international records.

Olympic Games Record Hosts / Year Result Position GP W D* L GS GA 1900 Didn't Enter - - - - - - - 1904 Didn't Enter - - - - - - - 1908 Didn't Enter - - - - - - - 1912 Didn't Enter - - - - - - - 1920 Didn't Enter - - - - - - - 1924 Didn't Enter - - - - - - - 1928 Didn't Enter - - - - - - - 1936 Quarterfinals 8 2 1 0 1 3 10 1948 Banned - - - - - - - 1952 Did Not Enter - - - - - - - 1956 Round 1 10 1 0 0 1 0 2 1960 Didn't Qualify - - - - - - - 1964 Quarterfinals 8 3 1 0 2 5 9 1968 Third Place 3 6 3 2 1 9 8 1972 Didn't Qualify - - - - - - - 1976 Didn't Qualify - - - - - - - 1980 Didn't Qualify - - - - - - - 1984 Didn't Qualify - - - - - - - 1988 Didn't Qualify - - - - - - - 1992 Didn't Qualify - - - - - - - 1996 Round 1 9 3 2 0 1 4 4 2000 Quarterfinals 5 4 2 1 1 6 5 2004 Round 1 13 3 1 0 2 6 7 2008 Round 1 15 3 0 0 3 1 4 Total 8/24 Third Place 25 10 3 12 34 49

Olympic Games History Year Round Score Result 1936 Round 1  Japan 3 – 2  Sweden Win Quarterfinals  Japan 0 – 8  Italy Loss 1956 Round 1  Japan 0 – 2  Australia Loss 1964 Round 1  Japan 3 – 2  Argentina Win Round 1  Japan 2 – 3  Ghana Loss Quarterfinals  Japan 0 – 4  Czechoslovakia Loss 1968 Round 1  Japan 3 – 1  Nigeria Win Round 1  Japan 1 – 1  Brazil Draw Round 1  Japan 0 – 0  Spain Draw Quarterfinals  Japan 3 – 1  France Win Semifinals  Japan 0 – 5  Hungary Loss Third Place  Japan 2 – 0  Mexico Win 1996 Round 1  Japan 1 – 0  Brazil Win Round 1  Japan 0 – 2  Nigeria Loss Round 1  Japan 3 – 2  Hungary Win 2000 Round 1  Japan 2 – 1  South Africa Win Round 1  Japan 2 – 1  Slovakia Win Round 1  Japan 0 – 1  Brazil Loss Quarterfinals  Japan 2 – 2  United States Draw 2004 Round 1  Japan 3 – 4  Paraguay Loss Round 1  Japan 2 – 3  Italy Loss Round 1  Japan 1 – 0  Ghana Win 2008 Round 1  Japan 0 – 1  United States Loss Round 1  Japan 1 – 2  Nigeria Loss Round 1  Japan 0 – 1  Netherlands Loss

East Asian Football Championship

East Asian Football Championship Record Hosts / Year Result Position GP W D L GS GA 2003 Runners-Up 2 3 2 1 0 3 0 2005 Runners-Up 2 3 1 1 1 3 3 2008 Runners-Up 2 3 1 2 0 3 2 2010 Third Place 3 3 1 1 1 4 3 Total 4/4 3 Runners-Up 12 5 5 2 13 8

East Asian Football Championship History Year Round Score Result 2003 Finals  Japan 2 – 0  China PR Win Finals  Japan 1 – 0  Hong Kong Win Finals  Japan 0 – 0  Korea Republic Draw 2005 Finals  Japan 0 – 1  Korea DPR Loss Finals  Japan 2 – 2  China PR Draw Finals  Japan 1 – 0  Korea Republic Win 2008 Finals  Japan 1 – 1  Korea DPR Draw Finals  Japan 1 – 0  China PR Win Finals  Japan 1 – 1  Korea Republic Draw 2010 Finals  Japan 0 – 0  China PR Draw Finals  Japan 3 – 0  Hong Kong Win Finals  Japan 1 – 3  Korea Republic Loss

Copa América

Japan is the only team from outside the Americas to participate in the Copa América, having been invited in 1999 and 2011. ^[3]

Copa América Record Hosts / Year Result Position GP W D L GS GA 1999 Round 1 10 3 0 1 2 3 8 2011 Invited - - - - - - - Total 2 Round 1 3 0 1 2 3 8

Copa América History Year Round Score Result 1999 Round 1  Japan 2 – 3  Peru Loss Round 1  Japan 0 – 4  Paraguay Loss Round 1  Japan 1 – 1  Bolivia Draw

Honors

International

• Summer Olympics

Bronze Medal (1): 1968

• FIFA Confederations Cup

Runners-Up (1): 2001

Continental

• AFC Asian Cup

Champions (3): 1992, 2000, 2004

Regional

• Dynasty Cup

Champions (3): 1992, 1995, 1998

Other

• Afro-Asian Cup of Nations

Champions (2): 1993, 2007

• AFC/OFC Challenge Cup

Champions (1): 2001

• Kirin Cup

Champions (10): 1991, 1995, 1996, 1997, 2000, 2001, 2004, 2007, 2008, 2009

See also

• Japan Football Association
• Football in Japan
• Sport in Japan
• Japan

References

External links

• Japan Football Association (Japanese)
• Japan Football Association (English)
• Japan Samurai Blue (Japanese)
• Japan Adidas (Japanese)
• Japan FIFA (English)

Preceded by 1988 Saudi Arabia	Champions Of Asia 1992 Japan  (1st Title)	Succeeded by 1996 Saudi Arabia
Preceded by 1996 Saudi Arabia	Champions Of Asia 2000 Japan  (2nd Title)	Succeeded by 2004 Japan
Preceded by 2000 Japan	Champions Of Asia 2004 Japan  (3rd Title)	Succeeded by 2007 Iraq

National sports teams of Japan American football · Association Football (F, M, U-23, U-20, U-17)  · Australian rules football · Badminton · Baseball (F, M) · Basketball (F, M)  · Beach Soccer · Boxing · Cricket (F, M) · Field hockey (F, M)  · Futsal (F, M) · Handball (F, M)  · Ice hockey (F, M, F U-18, M Junior)  · Kabaddi  · Korfball · Olympics  · Rugby Union (F, M)  · Rugby league · Softball · Tennis (F, M)  · Volleyball (F, M)  · Water polo

Japan national football team yearly records 2004 · 2005 · 2006 · 2007 · 2008 · 2009  · 2010

Association football in Japan Japan Football Association National teams Japan · Women's · U-23 · U-20 · U-17 · Futsal · Beach soccer League System Men: J. League Division 1  · J. League Division 2  · Japan Football League · Regional Leagues Women: L. League Futsal: F. League Domestic Cups Emperor's Cup · Women's Cup · J. League Cup · Super Cup · JOMO Cup  · Shakaijin Cup Reserve & Academy Prince Takamado Cup · High School Tournament List of clubs · List of venues · Champions (J1 · J2) · Kirin Cup  · Regional Promotion Series

1998 FIFA World Cup finalists Champions France Runners-up Brazil Third place Croatia Fourth place Netherlands Eliminated in the quarter-finals Argentina · Denmark · Germany · Italy Eliminated in the round of 16 Chile · England · Mexico · Nigeria · Norway · Paraguay · Romania · FR Yugoslavia Eliminated in the group stage Austria · Belgium · Bulgaria · Cameroon · Colombia · Iran · Jamaica · Japan · Korea Republic · Morocco · Scotland · Saudi Arabia · South Africa · Spain · Tunisia · United States

2002 FIFA World Cup finalists Champions Brazil Runners-up Germany Third place Turkey Fourth place Korea Republic Eliminated in the quarter-finals England · Senegal · Spain · USA Eliminated in the round of 16 Belgium · Denmark · Italy · Japan · Mexico · Paraguay · Republic of Ireland · Sweden Eliminated in the group stage Argentina · Cameroon · Costa Rica · China PR · Croatia · Ecuador · France · Nigeria · Poland · Portugal · Russia · Saudi Arabia · Slovenia · South Africa · Tunisia · Uruguay

2006 FIFA World Cup finalists Champions Italy Runners-up France Third place Germany Fourth place Portugal Eliminated in the quarter-finals Argentina · Brazil · England · Ukraine Eliminated in the round of 16 Australia · Ecuador · Ghana · Mexico · Netherlands · Spain · Sweden · Switzerland Eliminated in the group stage Angola · Costa Rica · Côte d'Ivoire · Croatia · Czech Republic · Iran · Japan · Korea Republic · Paraguay · Poland · Saudi Arabia · Serbia & Montenegro · Togo · Trinidad and Tobago · Tunisia · United States

2010 FIFA World Cup finalists Champions Spain Runners-up Netherlands Third place Germany Fourth place Uruguay Eliminated in the quarterfinals Argentina · Brazil · Ghana · Paraguay Eliminated in the round of 16 Chile · England · Japan · Korea Republic · Mexico · Portugal · Slovakia · United States Eliminated in group stage Algeria · Australia · Cameroon · Côte d'Ivoire · Denmark · France · Greece · Honduras · Italy · Korea DPR · New Zealand · Nigeria · Serbia · Slovenia · South Africa · Switzerland

International association football FIFA · World Cup · Confederations Cup · U-20 World Cup · U-17 World Cup · Olympics · Asian Games · All-Africa Games · Pan American Games · Minor tournaments · World Rankings · Player of the Year · FIFA Ballon d'Or  · Teams · Debuts · Competitions · Federations · Codes Asia AFC – Asian Cup Africa CAF – Africa Cup of Nations North, Central America and Caribbean CONCACAF – Gold Cup South America CONMEBOL – Copa América Oceania OFC – Nations Cup Europe UEFA – European Championship Non-FIFA N.F.-Board – Viva World Cup– Europeada

National football teams of Asia (AFC) Afghanistan · Australia · Bahrain · Bangladesh · Bhutan · Brunei · Cambodia · China PR · Chinese Taipei · Guam · Hong Kong* · India · Indonesia · Iran · Iraq · Japan · Jordan · Korea DPR · Korea Republic · Kuwait · Kyrgyzstan · Laos · Lebanon · Macau* · Malaysia · Maldives · Mongolia · Myanmar · Nepal · Northern Mariana Islands† · Oman · Pakistan · Palestine · Philippines · Qatar · Saudi Arabia · Singapore · Sri Lanka · Syria · Tajikistan · Thailand · Timor-Leste · Turkmenistan · United Arab Emirates · Uzbekistan · Vietnam · Yemen † Provisional Associate Member - Not a member of FIFA *FIFA and AFC use Hong Kong and Macau; the EAFF uses Hong Kong, China and Macau, China.

National football teams of East Asia (EAFF) Men's China PR · Chinese Taipei · Guam · Hong Kong, China · Japan · Korea DPR · Korea Republic · Macau, China · Mongolia · Northern Mariana Islands† Women's China PR · Chinese Taipei · Guam · Hong Kong, China · Japan · Korea DPR · Korea Republic · Macau, China · Mongolia · Northern Mariana Islands† †AFC provisional Associate Member * FIFA and AFC use Hong Kong and Macau; the EAFF uses Hong Kong, China and Macau, China.

Japan FIFA World Cup Squads & Managers Navigation Boxes Japan squad – 1998 FIFA World Cup 1 Kojima • 2 Narahashi • 3 Soma • 4 Ihara (c) • 5 Omura • 6 Yamaguchi • 7 Ito • 8 Nakata • 9 Nakayama • 10 Nanami • 11 Ono • 12 Lopes • 13 Hattori • 14 Okano • 15 Morishima • 16 Saito • 17 Akita • 18 Jo • 19 Nakanishi • 20 Kawaguchi • 21 Narazaki • 22 Hirano • Coach: Okada Japan squad – 2002 FIFA World Cup 1 Kawaguchi • 2 Akita • 3 Matsuda • 4 Morioka (c) • 5 Inamoto • 6 Hattori • 7 H. Nakata • 8 Morishima • 9 Nishizawa • 10 Nakayama • 11 Suzuki • 12 Narazaki • 13 Yanagisawa • 14 Alex • 15 Fukunishi • 16 K. Nakata • 17 Miyamoto • 18 Ono • 19 Ogasawara • 20 Myojin • 21 Toda • 22 Ichikawa • 23 Sogahata • Coach: Troussier Japan squad – 2006 FIFA World Cup 1 Narazaki • 2 Moniwa • 3 Komano • 4 Endō • 5 Miyamoto (c) • 6 K. Nakata • 7 H. Nakata • 8 Ogasawara • 9 Takahara • 10 Nakamura • 11 Maki • 12 Doi • 13 Yanagisawa • 14 Alex • 15 Fukunishi • 16 Oguro • 17 Inamoto • 18 Ono • 19 Tsuboi • 20 Tamada • 21 Kaji • 22 Nakazawa • 23 Kawaguchi • Coach: Zico Japan squad – 2010 FIFA World Cup 1 Narazaki • 2 Abe • 3 Komano • 4 Túlio • 5 Nagatomo • 6 Uchida • 7 Endo • 8 Matsui • 9 Okazaki • 10 S. Nakamura • 11 Tamada • 12 Yano • 13 Iwamasa • 14 K. Nakamura • 15 Konno • 16 Ōkubo • 17 Hasebe (c) • 18 Honda • 19 Morimoto • 20 Inamoto • 21 Kawashima • 22 Nakazawa • 23 Kawaguchi • Coach: Okada Japan national football team – Managers Ninomiya (1951) · Takenokoshi (1951–56) · Takahashi (1957) · Takenokoshi (1958–59) · Kawamoto (1958) · Takahashi (1960–62) · Naganuma (1962–69) · Okano (1970–71) · Naganuma (1972–76) · Ninomiya (1976–78) · Shimomura (1979–80) · Watanabe (1980) · Kawabuchi (1980–81) · Mori (1981–85) · Ishii (1986–87) · Yokoyama (1988–91) · Ooft (1992–93) · Falcão (1994) · Kamo (1994–97) · Okada (1997–98) · Troussier (1998–02) · Zico (2002–06) · Osim (2006–07) · Okada (2007–10) · Zaccheroni (2010–)