The Japan Football Association on Thursday approved a contract extension for Ivica Osim that will keep him in charge of the national team through December 2007.

Japan has won five and lost two of its games since Osim took over from Brazilian coach Zico after the country's first-round exit at this summer's World Cup in Germany.

ormer Yugoslavia coach Osim in July signed a one-year contract designed to be reviewed every year with the JFA hoping he will continue at the helm until the end of the country's campaign for the 2010 World Cup.