New national team manager Akira Nishino was handed a stark reminder of the task he faces at next month's World Cup after Japan lost 2-0 to Ghana on Wednesday in its final warmup match on home soil.
Nishino was taking charge of the team for the first time since replacing fired predecessor Vahid Halilhodzic last month, with the new manager set to name his 23-man squad for the tournament on Thursday.
But Ghana exposed Japan's weaknesses at a rain-soaked Nissan Stadium, taking the lead through a Thomas Partey free kick in the ninth minute before adding a second from the penalty spot six minutes into the second half after Japan goalkeeper Eiji Kawashima had upended Ghana midfielder Emmanuel Boateng.