If national team manager Alberto Zaccheroni was looking for reassurance from this week's visit to Belgium, two excellent performances and results to match were a timely reminder that Japan is more than capable of making an impact at next summer's World Cup.
Japan came from behind to claim a 2-2 draw with the Netherlands on Saturday before taking a prize scalp three days later with an impressive 3-2 win over a Belgium side tipped as dark horses to win the tournament in Brazil. Neither result could disguise significant problems that still need to be addressed in Zaccheroni's team, but after two dispiriting defeats to Serbia and Belarus last month, the impact on collective confidence should not be underestimated.
Japan crackled with attacking intent in all but a faltering first half against the Dutch, with Shinji Kagawa looking close to his vibrant best, Keisuke Honda imperious and Yuya Osako and Yoichiro Kakitani both impressing in the center forward position that has long been Japan's Achilles' heel.