Japan kicked off 2005 with a 4-0 thrashing of Kazakstan on Saturday in the first of two friendlies ahead of its crucial World Cup qualifier against mysterious North Korea.
Japan dominated from the outset in freezing rain at International Stadium Yokohama and were 3-0 up at the interval thanks to goals from Keiji Tamada, Naoki Matsuda and Alessandro Santos.
Kashiwa Reysol striker Tamada grabbed his second of the game and seventh in a Japan shirt to seal the win for Zico's men just after the hour mark.
Japan faces Syria in Saitama on Wednesday before it takes on North Korea in a politically charged affair on Feb. 9, also in Saitama, that kicks off its final phase of qualifiers for a place at the 2006 finals in Germany.