The 66-year-old was found unconscious at his home in Tokyo at 2am on Friday morning by his wife and taken to hospital, where he was admitted to an intensive care unit.

After a weekend spent in a controlled state of unconsciousness and constant observation, however, the Bosnian's recovery has taken a positive turn.

"Coach Osim has overcome the first stage of danger and he is making progress in his recovery," said Japanese Football Association general secretary Kozo Tashima.

JFA officials stressed they have yet to consider replacing Osim, who is due to lead the team into the Asian round of qualifying for the 2010 World Cup finals in February, but that technical director Takeshi Ono was assessing the situation.

"It is still hard to tell when Osim will be able to leave the intensive care unit," said Tashima. "He's just passed the first stage.

"The national team matters are being handled by our technical director Ono and the technical committee. I have not been in a position to think about the national team as I, and our president (Saburo Kawabuchi), have given the priority to the recovery of coach Osim.

"But I know we need to do a risk management assessment in various senses."

Ono cancelled a planned trip to Hanoi to watch Japan's Olympic team in action against Vietnam on Saturday, returning to Tokyo from a youth tournament in Thailand upon the JFA's instructions.