Japan have been drawn alongside Australia, Bahrain, Uzbekistan and Qatar in Group A and a top-two finish would earn them a fourth successive appearance in World Cup finals.

"It's not a bad group at all, when you think about things apart from football, such as transport and environments," coach Okada said.

Okada, who helped Japan reach their first World Cup in 1998 in France, added: "There are no easy games in the World Cup qualifiers.

"But I have a faith in ourselves that we are quite capable of getting through this qualifying group and playing in the World Cup finals."

Okada's side will open their campaign on September 6 against Bahrain in Manama. Japan, who have played in the World Cup finals in 1998, 2002 and 2006, lost 1-0 to the same opponents in March before winning 1-0 at home in June during their third round group.

"To meet Bahrain away in our first match, we have to make sure that we don't make the same mistake as in our previous visit," added Okada.

Japan`s second match will be at home to Uzbekistan on October 15, before they visit Qatar on November 19 and host Australia on February 11, 2009, and Bahrain on March 28, 2009.

The former Asian champions will then visit Uzbekistan on June 6 and meet Qatar on June 10 before travelling to Australia on June 17.

The top two finishers in the group will earn a ticket to the finals in South Africa. The third-placed team will play-off with the third-placed team in Group B in October 2009 for the right to play-off with the winners of the Oceania qualifiers in a further two-legged tie, scheduled for November 2009.

Japan have a mixed record against their opponents, holding off Australia 4-3 on penalties after drawing 1-1 after extra time in last year's Asian Cup. Against Uzbekistan, Japan had one win and one draw in the 1998 World Cup qualifiers before winning 8-1 in a 2000 Asian Cup meeting, while Okada`s team are winless over the last five encounters with Qatar.

Okada said: "We have played Bahrain in the third round qualifiers and have information on Australia, and have some ideas about Qatar and Uzbekistan through video research."

Group B is made of South Korea, Iran, Saudi Arabia, North Korea and the United Arab Emirates.