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Japan cruised through Asian qualifying and will be hoping to build on some excellent recent showings at World Cup tournaments.
Their best was at the event they co-hosted with South Korea in 2002 when they reached the second round, and they will be hoping for at least the same this time round.
Led by homegrown coach Takeshi Okada, they having a growing number of players plying their trade in the big European leagues.
Coach: Takeshi Okada
Nickname: Samurai Blue
Honours: 1992, 2000, 2004 Asian champions; 1968 Olympic Bronze Medal
Previous World Cup appearances: 3 (1998, 2002, 2006)
Best World Cup finish: Second Round (2002)
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