Japan slipped to a narrow 1-0 defeat against Ghana in their friendly at the International Stadium in Yokohama.
With coach Ivica Osim fielding a team made up entirely of players from the J.League, Japan made little headway against the African side, who were playing their first official match under new boss Claude LeRoy.
Midfielder Satoru Yamagishi went close to marking his Japan debut with a goal when he hit the post after the break.
However, it was the Black Stars that got the only goal 17 minutes from time when substitute Draman Haminu turned in Razak Pimpong's low cross from the right flank.
Ghana will travel to Seoul to take on South Korea in the final match of their short two-game tour of East Asia on Sunday, while Japan will continue preparations for next Wednesday's Asian Cup 2007 qualifier against India in Bangalore.
