The Berlin Olympics was the first time Japan made their appearance in the men's football tournament at the Summer Olympics. 16 countries participated in the knockout tournament, where Japan played against Sweden in the first round. Facing the Scandinavian powerhouse, Japan conceded two goals in the first half, but showcased their resilience in the second half. KAWAMOTO Taizo initiated the rally by scoring a goal in the 49th minute, which was followed by the equaliser scored by UKON Tokutaro in the 62nd minute. It was MATSUNAGA Akira who scored the go-ahead goal in the 85th minute to complete the comeback. With Japan defeating one of the tournament favourites 3-2, this match was later dubbed as the “Miracle of Berlin.” However, the Japanese side lost at the quarterfinals 0-8 against Italy who went onto win the gold medal.

Although the tournament was originally scheduled to be competed by 16 teams, five teams including China PR and Hungary withdrew from the competition to make it an 11 team tournament. Japan faced Korea Republic at the Far-East regional qualifiers where the two sides drew 2-2 after playing two matches. The score remained tied after overtime, and Japan clinched their second Summer Olympics on drawing of lots. At the Olympics, Japan faced the host nation, Australia, in the first round. After conceding the opening goal from a PK in the 26th minute, the Japanese side gave up another goal in the 61st minute, losing the match 0-2. Despite the tenacious efforts made by YAEGASHI Shigeo and other members of the national team, Japan was eliminated at the first round.

Under the leadership of the German coach Mr. Dettmar CRAMER, Japan entered the tournament with plenty of preparation as the host nation. Japan faced Argentina in their first group stage match. After conceding the opener in the 24th minute, Japan managed to level the match with the equaliser scored by SUGIYAMA Ryuichi in the 54th minute. Despite giving up the lead in the 62nd minute, the host nation rallied in the closing minutes, as KAWABUCHI Saburo and OGI Aritatsu scored back-to-back goals in the 81st and 82nd minute respectively, giving Japan a 3-2 come from behind victory against the South American powerhouse. Although Japan lost to Ghana 2-3 in their next match, the team managed to reach the knockout stage as the runners-up of their group. However, Japan fell short from winning the medal, as they were overwhelmed by Czechoslovakia, who they lost 0-4 at the quarterfinals.

Following the Tokyo Olympics, Japan continued to make efforts to strengthen the team ahead of the Summer Olympics held in Mexico City. Japan started off the group stage by defeating Nigeria 3-1 thanks to the hat-trick scored by KAMAMOTO Kunishige. After coming from behind to draw against Brazil, the Japanese side drew against Spain 0-0 to clinch the quarterfinals as the runners-up of their group.
It was Kamamoto who shined at the quarterfinals against France, as the striker scored in the 27th and 59th minute to give Japan a 3-1 victory. However, Japan lost 0-5 to Hungary at the semi-finals. Japan faced the host nation, Mexico, at the bronze medal match, where Kamamoto registered another brace, scoring in the 20th and 40th minute, to give Japan their long cherished dream of winning a medal at the Olympics.

For Japan, this was their first appearance at the Summer Olympics in 28 years after winning the bronze medal at Mexico City. Led by coach NISHINO Akira, the Japanese side faced Brazil in their first group stage match. Despite being dominated by the South American powerhouse, Japan managed to carry a clean sheet into the second half, with goalkeeper KAWAGUCHI Yoshikatsu leading the way. Tied at 0-0, Japan’s ITO Teruyoshi capitalised on a mistake made by the Brazilian side to break the deadlock in the 72nd minute. Japan caused a major upset by winning the match 1-0 against the tournament favourite.
After losing to Nigeria 0-2 in the following match, Japan trailed 1-2 against Hungary deep into the second half. However, with UEMURA Kenichi scoring the equaliser and MAEZONO Masakiyo scoring the go-ahead goal in the 90th and 91st minute respectively, Japan won the match 3-2 in dramatic fashion. With the win, Japan tied Brazil and Nigeria in points, but fell short from reaching the knockout stage, as they trailed the two teams in goal difference.

After showcasing a dominating performance at the Asian qualifiers, Japan reached their second straight Summer Olympics with a squad that was considered as the best squad in Japanese football history. At the group stage, TAKAHARA Naohiro scored a brace to propel Japan past South Africa 2-1 in the first match. NAKATA Hidetoshi and INAMOTO Junichi scored a goal apiece in Japan’s 2-1 victory over Slovakia. Despite losing to Brazil in the third match, Japan managed to advance through to the knockout stage with a record of two wins and a loss.
YANAGISAWA Atsushi scored the opening goal in the 30th minute at the quarterfinal match against USA. After conceding the equaliser, Japan retook the lead in the 72nd minute with the go-ahead goal scored by Takahara, but once again gave up the equalising goal in the 90th minute. Neither side were able to score during overtime, sending the match into penalty shootout. While all five players successfully converted the spot kicks for USA, Japan’s fourth kicker, Nakata, failed to convert the spot kick, sending the American side into the semi-finals.

Japan named ONO Shinji and SOGAHATA Hitoshi as the over-age players in their third consecutive Summer Olympics. Facing Paraguay in the first group stage match, Japan struggled to find their rhythm in the early minutes, as they conceded three goals within the first half. Despite the brace scored by Ono and late goal scored by OKUBO Yoshito, Japan lost the opening match 3-4. In their second match against Italy, Japan once again conceded three goals within the first half. ABE Yuki and TAKAMATSU Daiki each scored a goal to cut down the deficit, but the team suffered their second loss with a final score of 2-3. Japan was eliminated after playing just two matches but didn’t come home empty handed, as they managed to win their third match against Ghana 1-0, thanks to the 37th minute goal scored by Okubo.

Led by coach SORIMACHI Yasuharu, Japan entered the Beijing Summer Olympics without any over-age players, selecting a true U-23 squad only consisting of players born after 1985. Japan lost their first group stage match 0-1 against USA after conceding a goal in the early minutes of the second half. Despite the goal scored by TOYODA Yohei in the 79th minute, Japan lost to Nigeria 1-2, once again finding themselves eliminated after two matches. Japan walked away with zero points after losing to the Netherlands 0-1 in their final match. Players from this squad, such as NAGATOMO Yuto, UCHIDA Atsuto, HONDA Keisuke, KAGAWA Shinji, and OKAZAKI Shinji, bounced back from this bitter experience to become key players of the Japan National Team.

Coach SEKIZUKA Takashi led Japan into their fifth consecutive Summer Olympics. TOKUNAGA Yuhei and YOSHIDA Maya were named as the over-age players, with the latter taking part in his second Olympics. After defeating Spain, who was considered as the tournament favourite, 1-0 thanks to the goal scored by OTSU Yuki, Japan went onto beat Morocco 1-0 with the late goal scored by NAGAI Kensuke. Despite drawing against Honduras, Japan advanced through to the knockout stage as the group leader with a record of two wins and a draw.
With momentum on their side, Japan defeated Egypt 3-0 at the quarterfinals, but lost to Mexico 1-3 at the semi-finals, despite taking the lead with Otsu’s opener. Japan lost to Korea Republic 0-2 in the bronze medal match after conceding goals in the 38th and 57th minute, falling short of winning their first medal since the Summer Olympics held in Mexico City, which took place 44 years ago.

With high hopes to end their 48-year medal drought, Japan entered the Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro. The team was led by coach TEGURAMORI Makoto, who named KOROKI Shinzo, SHIOTANI Tsukasa, and FUJIHARU Hiroki as their over-age players. The first group stage match against Nigeria became an intense goal fest, with the two teams combining for nine goals. Nigeria’s Oghenekaro ETEBO was responsible for four goals, while MINAMINO Takumi, ASANO Takuma, and SUZUKI Musashi made contributions for the Japanese side, but ended up losing the match 4-5. Japan conceded a two goal lead to Colombia in their second match but managed to walk away with a point thanks to the goals scored by Asano and NAKAJIMA Shoya. Japan kept a clean sheet to preserve the one goal lead generated by YAJIMA Shinya in the 65th minute to earn a 1-0 victory over Sweden but fell short from reaching the knockout stage after finishing third in the group.