Japan are one of the highest ranked Asian teams and have shown this by good performances in the Asian Cup in recent years. Japan have qualified for the World Cup on the last three occasions reaching the second round when they hosted the tournament in 2002.

Japan have a fantastic record in the Asian Cup and have managed to win the event in three out of the last five times. Beating Saudi Arabia 1 - 0 in the final in 1992, 2000 and beating China 3 - 1 in the 2004 final. In the 2007 tournament they were beaten in the semi finals 2 - 3 by Saudi Arabia.