Japan kicked off coach Takeshi Okada's second spell in charge of the national team with a disappointing 0-0 draw against Chile at National Stadium on Saturday night.
Japan looked uninspired as a starting lineup bearing the stamp of Okada's predecessor, Ivica Osim, struggled to find its rhythm against a well-organized Chile side.
But the second-half introduction of Yoshito Okubo sparked the match into life, as the Vissel Kobe striker terrorized the South Americans' defense and came close to breaking the deadlock several times.