The JFA revealed their intentions at an executive committee meeting on Friday in Kanazawa, although the bids depend on the success of Tokyo's attempt to stage the 2016 Olympic Games.

Japan co-hosted the 2002 World Cup with neighbours South Korea but do not currently have an 80,000-seater stadium, which is required to host the opening ceremony and final, although Tokyo's Olympics bid contains plans for a 120,000-seater arena.

Chicago, Rio de Janeiro and Madrid are also in the running to stage the 2016 Olympics, with the International Olympic Committee set to announce the winner in October.

World football's governing body FIFA have set a deadline of February 2 for bids to host the 2018 and 2022 World Cups, with a decision to be made in December 2010.

"We will definitely need the success of the 2016 Tokyo Olympics hosting bids," said JFA president Motoaki Inukai. "If they don't win it, it will be physically impossible for us to host the World Cup.

"We have to co-operate with them in various parts. We will offer our full support to help them host the Olympics."