Paulinho opened the scoring with a 20-yard drive, before a Neymar penalty doubled Brazil's advantage just before the half-hour mark.

Neymar made it 3-0 just after the half-time interval and a late Kaka goal sealed the commanding win.

Japan threatened first as Shinji Kagawa fed Kengo Nakamura who tested Diego Alves with a drive from the edge of the area.

Brazil quickly got into their stride and found themselves in front with 12 minutes gone when Oscar set up Paulinho, who arrowed a low shot into the bottom corner.

The Corinthians midfielder could have had another minutes later when he latched onto Neymar's pass, but after rounding Eiji Kawashima he could only steer his finish wide of the far post.

Brazil doubled their advantage after a penalty was awarded for a challenge by Yasuyuki Konno on Kaka, with Neymar stepping up to bury the shot with confidence.

The South Americans continued to flow on the counterattack and a threaded pass from Kaka released Neymar on the run, but the Santos prodigy could only lash over the bar from close range.

Makoto Hasebe then nearly responded in kind, forcing a good save out of Alves with a well-struck effort from just outside the area.

But Brazil were soon back down the other end of the pitch, Hulk freeing Neymar, who in turn teed up Kaka on the edge of the box for a shot that ricocheted off the woodwork.

The match was ended as a contest three minutes into the second half as Neymar was able to beat Yuto Nagatomo to the ball from a corner and drive in his second goal via a deflection.

Kagawa could have given Japan a glimmer of hope shortly after the restart with a mazy run into the Brazil box, but the Manchester United attacker lashed his shot wide.

Brazil came close to another goal through Hulk, who blasted in a 20-yard free kick that took a deflection off a defender before cannoning back off the post.

Kaka got in on the act in the 76th minute, the Real Madrid midfielder turning his marker on the run and slotting a confident finish past Kawashima.

Brazil closed out the victory in control, with substitute Lucas Moura missing a late chance for a fifth.