Former Brazil international and Kashima technical director Zico formally signed on with the Japan Football Association on Monday to coach the national team.
"I am proud and am honored to be here. They've offered me this job after seeing what I have achieved over the last 11 years in Japan," Zico told about 260 reporters at a news conference at a hotel in Tokyo.
"I love challenges, and my biggest objective is to develop Japanese soccer and lead Japan to the 2006 World Cup."