Highlights: Scotland 0-1 Japan
Japan may not be considered a global footballing powerhouse – but underestimate them at your peril.
The Samurai Blue, ranked 18th in the world, have never gone past the last 16 at a World Cup but stunned two giants in Qatar four years ago, with group-stage wins over Spain and Germany.
They ultimately fell to Croatia on penalties in the knockout stage but, with a wealth of talent at their disposal, could prove tricky opponents at this summer’s World Cup in North America.
As part of their preparations Japan face England on Tuesday in a friendly after beating Scotland 1-0, while the Three Lions played out a 1-1 stalemate against Uruguay on Friday.
BBC Sport takes a look at the key players Thomas Tuchel’s England need to watch out for.
Kaoru Mitoma
Mitoma joined Brighton from Japanese side Kawasaki Frontale in 2021
Club: Brighton & Hove Albion Age: 28 Position: Winger Caps: 29
Kaoru Mitoma is a name familiar to Premier League fans and has impressed during his five years at Brighton, where he has made 130 appearances across all competitions scoring 26 goals and providing 21 assists.
Following a season-long loan at Belgian side Union Saint-Gilloise, Mitoma enjoyed a breakthrough campaign in 2022-23 where he set the record for the most goals scored by a Japanese player in a single English top-flight season (seven).
Mitoma has earned a reputation for spectacular goals and two of his 22 Premier League strikes earned him goal of the month awards.
The winger represented Japan at the 2022 World Cup, coming on as a substitute in all four of their matches and scoring the winning goal in the stunning victory over Spain.
He did, however, also miss a penalty in the shootout as Japan were knocked out by Croatia in the last 16.
Daichi Kamada
Kamada joined Palace from Lazio in 2024
Club: Crystal Palace Age: 29 Position: Midfielder Caps: 49
Another name familiar to Premier League fans, Daichi Kamada became Crystal Palace’s first ever Japanese player when he signed for the club on a free in July 2024.
A versatile playmaker, Kamada has been a mainstay in Oliver Glasner’s side since his arrival in London, having also played under the Austrian at Eintracht Frankfurt.
A hamstring injury saw him sidelined for about eight weeks midway through this season, but he is likely to play a crucial role for Japan this summer, having started all four matches for them at the 2022 World Cup.
The FA Cup winner’s dribbling strengths and link-up play make him a formidable presence in midfield.
Ao Tanaka
Tanaka joined Leeds United from Fortuna Dusseldorf in 2024
Club: Leeds United Age: 27 Position: Central midfielder Caps: 35
Ao Tanaka quickly became an integral part of the Leeds side who earned promotion to the Premier League in 2024-25, his first season with the club.
He was voted players’ player of the year by his Leeds team-mates and was selected in the Championship team of the year as the Whites earned automatic promotion.
With 24 appearances and three goals this season for Leeds, Tanaka remains an important part of the squad as they battle against relegation.
For Japan, Tanaka scored the winning goal against Spain at the 2022 World Cup – a goal that saw his side finish top of the group.
He has nine goal involvements for Japan in 35 appearances.
Ritsu Doan
Doan has previously played for Freiburg, PSV and Groningen
Club: Eintracht Frankfurt Age: 27 Position: Winger Caps: 62
Winger Ritsu Doan is already well-known in Japanese football as the man who scored against both Germany and Spain at the 2022 World Cup.
He came on as a substitute in both group matches and equalised before his side went on to win on both occasions.
A dynamic, left-footed attacking midfielder, Doan is known for his technical skill and ability to cut inside.
Hiroki Ito
Ito has struggled with injury since joining Bayern from Stuttgart in 2024
Club: Bayern Munich Age: 26 Position: Defender Caps: 21
Defender Hiroki Ito joined German giants Bayern Munich in 2024 but has since been plagued by injuries and missed significant chunks of both this and last season.
He has started just eight matches and come on as a substitute in nine more, but – with Ajax defender Takehiro Tomiyasu, formerly of Arsenal, out of Japan’s friendlies because of a hamstring injury – there are gaps to be plugged in defence.
Ito featured just once in Japan’s last World Cup campaign but could find himself in demand depending on the status of Tomiyasu’s injury.
