Japan begins a new era on Friday night as manager Javier Aguirre leads the team out for the first time, and if first impressions of the Mexican are anything to go by, the next four years should be an interesting journey.
Japan takes on Uruguay in a friendly at Sapporo Dome before facing Venezuela in Yokohama four days later, with Aguirre running the rule over his new side after taking over from Italian Alberto Zaccheroni in the wake of a disappointing first-round exit from the World Cup this summer.
Having never previously worked in Japan and having arrived in the country less than a month ago, Aguirre comes to the job with a clean slate. The 55-year-old will be learning about his players as he goes along, and with five debut call-ups in an experimental first squad, Japanese fans and commentators will be just as unfamiliar with some of the new faces.