Japan launched its Asian Games campaign with victory on Sunday, the defending champion defeating Kuwait 4-1 in the men's soccer competition.

Five days ahead of the opening ceremony of the 17th Games, Albirex Niigata forward Musashi Suzuki struck on either side of halftime for Japan, which was also boosted by a goal each from captain Ryota Oshima and Takuya Iwanami.

Japan's next game is on Wednesday against Iraq. Japan beat the United Arab Emirates 1-0 in the final to snare gold four years ago in Guangzhou, China.