Japan members pose before 1st Asian Cup match

Japan members pose before 1st Asian Cup match

NEWCASTLE, Australia - The 11 starting members of Japan's national soccer team pose ahead of their first Asian Cup match in Newcastle, Australia, on Jan. 12, 2015. In the front row are (from L) midfielder Makoto Hasebe, forward Shinji Okazaki, midfielder Yasuhito Endo, defenders Gotoku Sakai and Yuto Nagatomo, and forward Takashi Inui. In the back row are (from L) goalkeeper Eiji Kawashima, defenders Maya Yoshida and Masato Morishige, and forwards Shinji Kagawa and Keisuke Honda.

Japan vs. Ivory Coast

Japan vs. Ivory Coast

RECIFE, Brazil - Members of the Japan soccer national team pose for a photo before a World Cup Group C match against Ivory Coast at Arena Pernambuco in Recife, Brazil, on June 14, 2014. They are (front row, from L) Makoto Hasebe, Yuto Nagatomo, Atsuto Uchida, Hotaru Yamaguchi, Shinji Okazaki and Shinji Kagawa, and (back row, from L) Yuya Osako, Masato Morishige, Maya Yoshida, goalkeeper Eiji Kawashima and Keisuke Honda. Ivory Coast won 2-1.

Japan beat New Zealand 4-2 in friendly

Japan beat New Zealand 4-2 in friendly

TOKYO, Japan - Japan defender Masato Morishige (L) is congratulated by Shinji Okazaki (back) and Maya Yoshida (R) after scoring his side's third goal during the first half of a friendly against New Zealand at National Stadium in Tokyo on March 5, 2014.

Taiwanese Buddhists offer donations to Japan

Taiwanese Buddhists offer donations to Japan

OSAKA, Japan - Shinji Yoshida (R) of the Iwate Prefecture's Osaka office, receives donation money from Taiwanese Buddhist priests in Osaka on March 31, 2011. Four Buddhist Organizations from Taiwan donated 40 million yen to the prefecture, which was devastated by the March 11 earthquake and tsunami.

Ceremony marks selection of west Japan town as domestic heritage site

Ceremony marks selection of west Japan town as domestic heritage site

Tottori Gov. Shinji Hirai (3rd from L) and Misasa Mayor Hidemitsu Yoshida (3rd from R) attend a ceremony in the western Japan town on April 24, 2015, to celebrate the central government's selection of the municipality as one of Japan Heritage sites aimed at revitalizing local tourism and economic activity. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Taiwanese Buddhists offer donations to Japan

Taiwanese Buddhists offer donations to Japan

OSAKA, Japan - Shinji Yoshida (R) of the Iwate Prefecture's Osaka office, receives donation money from Taiwanese Buddhist priests in Osaka on March 31, 2011. Four Buddhist Organizations from Taiwan donated 40 million yen to the prefecture, which was devastated by the March 11 earthquake and tsunami. (Kyodo)

Soccer: Japan looking to bounce back from UAE defeat

Soccer: Japan looking to bounce back from UAE defeat

(From L) Shinji Kagawa, Maya Yoshida and Genki Haraguchi take part in Japan's training session in Bangkok on Sept. 5, 2016, preparing for a World Cup qualifier against Thailand the following day. Japan lost to the United Arab Emirates 2-1 in their final-round qualifying opener on Sept. 1. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo