Takuma Asano and Yosuke Ideguchi scored in each half to book Japan's place at the 2018 World Cup with a 2-0 win over Australia on Thursday.
Japan went into the game at Saitama Stadium knowing that it would qualify for a sixth straight World Cup with a victory over the Asian champions, but also that anything less would jeopardize its chances with Saudi Arabia and Australia breathing down its neck for the two automatic qualification spots.
In the event, Asano put Japan in the driver's seat with the opening goal four minutes before halftime, before Ideguchi sealed the deal with an exquisite curling shot in the 82nd minute to send Japan through as Group B winners with a game to spare.