Japan will be looking to remain in the World Group for the second straight year when it takes on Israel in their Davis Cup playoff tie starting on Friday at Ariake Colosseum.
After a 26-year absence, Japan advanced to the World Group with a victory over India last September at Ariake. Japan then lost on home soil to Croatia 2-3 in their first-round tie in Hyogo Prefecture in February.
Japan No. 1 Kei Nishikori will again be counted on to come through for his nation. Nishikori, currently ranked 24th, advanced to the quarterfinals of the Australian Open earlier this year, but has had to overcome a recent injury to his stomach muscles.