The Japan Football Association has yet to find a successor for World Cup coach Takeshi Okada.
JFA technical director Hiromi Hara, who has been criticized for not signing a new coach, says he is close to finalizing a deal.
Hara went overseas to hold talks with former Real Madrid coach Manuel Pellegrini and Olympiakos coach Ernesto Valverde, but came home empty-handed. The JFA had hoped to have a new coach signed by Aug. 15.
Japan will play Paraguay on Sept. 4 in Yokohama and Guatemala three days later in Osaka, with Hara coaching for both home friendlies.