Some fantastic players have represented Japan, but only the best of the best can make their dream team!
Japan are a regular at major tournaments like the World Cup and the AFC Asian Cup.
The Samurai Blue have featured in the last seven World Cups and qualified for the knockout stages in 2002, 2010 and 2018.
Not only that, Japan are the first country from outside the American continent to ever participate in the Copa America, having played in the 1999 and 2019 editions.
Over the years, some great players have featured for the Japanese national team, with players such as Keisuke Honda, Shunsuke Nakamura and Hidetoshi Nakata household names in the European football scene.
But who make up their best-ever XI?
Getty ImagesGK: Yoshikatsu Kawaguchi
The most-capped goalkeeper in Japan's history with 116 games to his name, Kawaguchi appeared for his country between 1997 and 2010.
He made his debut against Brazil and managed to keep a clean sheet.
It was Kawaguchi who was the first-ever Japanese goalkeeper to play at a World Cup in 1998, with Gabriel Batistuta the only one able to beat him as Argentina recorded a 1-0 win.
A noted penalty expert, Kawaguchi has saved spot kicks at the big stage from players like Croatia's Darijo Srna (2006 World Cup) and Australia's Harry Kewell (2007 Asia Cup quarter-finals).
AdvertisementGettyRB: Hiroki Sakai
With vast experience at club level in Europe, Japan have benefited from the presence of Sakai at right-back since 2012.
The former Marseille defender has over 70 caps for Japan and was part of their squad for the 2014, 2018 and 2022 World Cups.
He did not make any appearances at the 2014 edition, but got his tournament debut against Colombia four years later, playing 90 minutes in a 2-1 win for the Samurai Blue.
（C）J.LEAGUE PHOTOSCB: Yuji Nakazawa
One of the eight Japanese players to reach 100+ caps for his country, Nakazawa was first called up to the national team in September 1999.
He then played a key role in helping Japan win the 2000 AFC Asian Cup, but was not selected for the 2002 World Cup.
Newly elected manager Zico gave him his opportunity again at the 2004 Asian Cup, where he was one of Japan's best performers on their way to the trophy.
Nakazawa then did make his World Cup bow in 2006 in Germany, with Japan being knocked out in the group stages.
He announced his retirement from international football after the tournament at the age of just 28, before withdrawing his decision and then going on to feature at the 2010 World Cup, where Japan reached the last 16.
Getty ImagesCB: Maya Yoshida
Yoshida made his Japan debut in January 2010 against Yemen and has made over 120 appearances for his country since then.
He helped then win the Asian Cup in 2011, before going on to feature in all group games for Japan at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.
Yoshida also featured for the Blue Samurai at the 2018 World Cup, reaching the last 16 before being beaten by Belgium, and captained them at the 2022 World Cup.