The JFA announced the spring match schedule that will prepare Japan for the World Cup.
| Date | Opponent | Location | Match Type |
| February 10 | USA | San Francisco | Friendly |
| February 18 | Finland | Shizuoka | Friendly |
| February 22 | India | Nissan Stadium | Asia Cup Preliminary |
| February 28 | Bosnia Herzegovina | Germany | Friendly |
| March 30 | Ecuador | Oita | Friendly |
| Mid-May | Undecided | Japan (undecided) | Kirin Cup |
| May 30 | Germany | Germany | Friendly |
| Early June | Undecided | Germany | Friendly |
With the World Cup draw set, all that remains in the coming year is preparation - a lot of preparation if Japan hopes to get through to the Round of 16. Drawn with Brazil, Croatia, and Australia this will be no simple task.
This spring Zico Japan will travel to San Francisco on February 10th to face the US. After returning home, Japan will play Finland on the 18th.
Mid-March will see another friendly at home, against a side yet to be announced. Ditto for April.
In May the annual Kirin Cup will take place, which will be Japan's last chance to play prior to a friendly against host Germany on May 30th.
Japan was drawn into Group F with Cup holder Brazil, Croatia, and regional rival Australia. Anything short of the Round of 16 would be considered a failure for Japan, which is currently ranked 15th in the world. A quick peek at Croatia's lineup, though, means this match will be very intense for Japan. Australia, too, under Guus Hiddink is no pushover.
Urawa Reds took the 85th annual Emperor's Cup by defeating Shimizu S-Pulse on a windy day at Tokyo National Stadium. This capped a season for the most loyally supported team in Japan. After finishing a mere point back in the J.League final standings, this trophy will take a bit of the sting out of that close finish.
For Reds assistant coach Gert Engels, the win had an additional sweetness to it: it is his third title. He led the now defunct Yokohama Flugels to the title in 1999, then repeated it with Kyoto Purple Sanga in 2003 in a miracle win over Jubilo.
Hidetoshi Nakata, Bolton
Nakata is getting more and more playing time at Bolton, which is currently in seventh place in the Premiership.
Shunsuke Nakamura: Celtic
Nakamura continues to shine in the Scottish Premier League. He recently nailed a winner in the waning minutes against Livingston to help Celtic win 2-1. the local press gushed that it was a "a flash of brilliance" from Nakamura that earned Celtic three key points. The goal was his fifth.
In a 3-2 win at Tynecastle, Shunsuke provided two pinpoint free kicks that were both bundled in by Stephen McManus. With a minute to go in extra time, the second of the two was headed home by McManus to seal the win.
Junichi Inamoto, West Brom
No news from Inamoto, though he has been seen on the pitch of late.
Mitsuo Ogasawara, No Go at West Ham
Kashima Antlers and national team midfielder Ogasawara failed in his tryout with the Premier League team. The pint-sized trickster travelled to London for a one-week tryout, but failed to impress. He has also been linked with Serie A team Lecce.
Shinji Ono: ex-Feyenoord, Urawa Reds
Ono made his first public appearance back in Japan today. He was fitted out in his old Urawa uniform. Reds Coach Guido Buchwald was on hand, and could not contain his glee at obtaining the former Feyenoord star. Ono hinted at regrets at returning to Japan, but should be pleased with the generous 3-year deal he got from the Reds.
The rumors have been confirmed: Ono is on his way back to the Urawa Reds. He has been released and bought back by the Reds. A big disappointment no doubt for injury-prone Ono, who had hoped to stay in Europe, but for Reds fans a great reason to celebrat.
Rumors are flying about Ono - about his health, and about his future with Feyenoord. Rumor number 1: he is about to return to action. True: he appeared in an end-of-year Dutch league match. Rumor number 2: he is returning to Japan to play in the J.League. If Ono has anything to say about it, absolutely false. Rumor number 3: Ono will be joining Hide Nakata at Bolton. The jury is still out.
Sota Hirayama, Heracles
Hirayama has scored again. He scored his seventh of the season in a 2-1 win over RBC Roosendaal. This is causing the conservative Zico to lose sleep over which forward to choose for June.
Hirayama scored the winner against Willem II Tilburg in a 2-1 win.
The towering Hirayama recently scored his fifth goal, moving closer to his personal goal of 10. He headed home against Vitesse at home. He is the leading scorer for Heracles this season.
Naohiro Takahara, Hamburg SV
Takahara remains on the bench - and with the clock ticking its inexorable way down towards the World Cup, he has requested a transfer. He needs playing time to stay sharp.
Kazuyoshi Miura, Sydney FC
King Kazu has had enjoyed no press since the World Club Championships, which saw Sydney finish in the fifth spot in the FIFA Club World Championship TOYOTA Cup after a 2-1 win over Egypt's Al Ahly at Tokyo's National stadium. Kazu made little impact in the matches.
Yoshito Okubo, Mallorca
Okubo nodded home his first goal of the season. The goal helped struggling Mallorca earn a draw against La Coruna.
Atsushi Yanagisawa, Messina
Yanigisawa may be on his way back to Japan. He has told officials at his former club that he would like to return to the J.League. The main reason is that the national team forward has been on the substitute's bench all season.
Daisuke Matsui, Le Mans
Matsui scored twice in a recent victory over Troyes. The tricky midfielder looks closer and closer to booking a spot on the national side thanks to his performance in France.
Masashi Oguro, Grenoble
One of the leading Japanese scorer in the 2005 season, Oguro has completed a transfer to the French Second Division side Grenoble. He leaves as a J.League winner as Gamba recently was crowned champions of the 2005 season.
Grenoble, which is Japanese-owned, was eager to get the services of the mop-haired forward. He is aiming to hone his skills in a foreign league in the run-up to the World Cup.
Koji Nakata, Marseille
Nakata has had a disastrous season at the French club. This was capped by the January 27 announcement that he would be leaving for FC Basel in the Swiss league.
Red StarTakayuki Suzuki, Red Star Belgrade
Japan forward Suzuki has signed with Red Star Belgrade and is expected to get a two-year deal. The impetus behind the deal was former Nagoya Grampus and Monoco star Dragan Stojkovich, who is now the club's president.
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League winner Gamba will kick off the 2006 season against odds-on favorites Urawa Reds. The match will take place on March 4th at Banpaku.
Attention was focused on Osaka's Nagai Stadium where an expectant 43,927 crowd - the largest since the 2002 World Cup - awaited the win that would have marked Cerezo's transformation from last season's relegation threatened team to this year's winners. An 89th minute goal by FC Tokyo's Yasuyuki Konno rained on Cerezo's parade handing the title to Gamba with J.League-leading scorer Araujo netting his 33rd of the campaign.
Gamba is the first team from the Kansai area of western Japan to land the J.League title since the championship began in 1993.
Brazilian forward Washington has been traded from Tokyo Verdy to Urawa Reds. The 30-year-old forward tore up the league this year scoring 22 times.
Former Brazilian great Cerezo was informed in late October that his contract would not be renewed at Kashima. The Antlers are currently in second place, but the club is looking to move in a different direction. Since taking over in 2000, Cerezo has led the Antlers to several championships. Rumors have the 50-year-old headed to another J.League club.
Final Goal Scorers, 2005
| Name | Goals | Shots | PK | Games |
Araujo, Gamba Osaka |
33 | 135 | 0/0 | 33 |
| Washington, Tokyo Verdy 1969 | 22 | 102 | 5/7 | 33 |
| Edmilson, Albirex Niigata | 18 | 89 | 1/1 | 33 |
| Hisashi Sato, Hiroshima | 18 | 65 | 0/0 | 32 |
| Magno Alves, Oita | 18 | 100 | 2/3 | 33 |
| Juninho, Kawasaki | 16 | 115 | 0/0 | 31 |
| Oguro, Gamba | 16 | 125 | 0/0 | 31 |
| Alex Mineiro, Kashima | 15 | 66 | 0/0 | 27 |
| Robert Cullen, Jubilo Iwata | 13 | 52 | 0/0 | 31 |
| Robert Cullen, Jubilo | 11 | 46 | 0/0 | 26 |
| Yuki Abe, JEF United | 12 | 77 | 5/5 | 33 |
| Seiichiro Maki, JEF United | 12 | 45 | 0/0 | 33 |
J2: Kyoto Purple Sanga Wins J2 Title, Will Return to J1; Fukuoka Also Promoted
Sanga repaid its long-suffering faithful by clinching the J2 championship. It also guaranteed itself a spot in the top flight next season. Fukuoka will also return to J1 next season.
