Japan is preparing to send its national team against visiting major league stars in November, Nippon Professional Baseball's new commissioner revealed Thursday.

Katsuhiko Kumazaki told a press conference at the National Press Center in Tokyo, "We are planning Japan-U.S. games. It's something one might call a test of strength."

In the past, touring teams of major leaguers, often including Japanese big league stars, had played NPB all-star squads, but this time Japan is to be represented by its national team in five games under manager Hiroki Kokubo.