Promoting youth in the last few years in a bid for a new era, Japan still boast some stars who have made the grade in Europe.
A developing squad punctuated with more experienced operators could still struggle at this World Cup, however.
Here’s all you need to know about Japan…
Coach: Hajime Moriyasu. Selected four years ago to build precisely for this tournament.
Captain: Maya Yoshida. The former Southampton centre-back now at Schalke remains central to Japan’s plans.
Star player: Takumi Minamino. A key creative outlet, the ex-Liverpool forward will be expected to deliver goals and assists.
One to watch: Takefusa Kobo. Spent three years at Real Madrid but could not force a senior breakthrough. Now settled at Real Sociedad after several loan stints in Spain.
World ranking: 24
Odds: 300/1
Best thing about them: Organised, disciplined and threatening on the break.
Worst thing about them: Lack of killer instinct could leave them short of goals.
Their prospects in three words: Group stage disappointment.
Fixtures (all times GMT)
- November 23 vs Germany (1pm)
- November 27 vs Costa Rica (10am)
- December 1 vs Spain (7pm)
Squad
Goalkeepers: Eiji Kawashima, Shuichi Gonda, Daniel Schmidt.
Defenders: Yuto Nagatomo, Maya Yoshida, Hiroki Sakai, Shogo Taniguchi, Miki Yamane, Ko Itakura, Takehiro Tomiyasu, Hiroki Ito.
Midfielders: Gaku Shibasaki, Wataru Endo, Junya Ito, Takumi Minamino, Hidemasa Morita, Kamada, Yuki Soma, Kaoru Mitoma, Ritsu Doan, Ao Tanaka, Takefusa Kubo.
Forwards: Takuma Asano, Daizen Maeda, Ayase Ueda, Shuto Machino.