Wolves defender Berra blotted an otherwise solid performance in the centre of Scotland's backline by scoring an own goal after 82 minutes to give Japan the lead.

And with just seconds remaining, Honda doubled his side's advantage when the Scotland defence failed to clear another cross before the VVV Venlo midfielder stroked home.

It was an unfamiliar Scotland side that took to the field for the friendly international, with George Burley handing starting debuts to Lee Wallace, Graham Dorrans, Ross Wallace and Craig Conway while Don Cowie and Stephen Hughes came off the bench in the second half to win their first caps.

The Japanese controlled the tempo of proceedings for much of the game but fashioned few clear-cut chances in the first half while Craig Gordon was alert enough to keep out several free-kicks in the second 45 minutes before the late capitulation.

Burley said: "Overall it was a good workout. We had six new players and it was a game where Japan had most of the possession, played some nice football without maybe - especially in the first half - creating too many chances.

"In the second half our keeper made two good saves from free-kicks and then we had a very good chance with Steven Fletcher, when the goalkeeper got his foot to the ball and stopped it going in.

"We were disappointed giving the ball away from a throw-in and then it was an own goal. Overall, I think it was a good exercise for both countries."

Japan coach Takeshi Okada said: "We didn't manage to play our basic game in the first half, the game of fast supporting and passing and movement.

"We struggled to raise the tempo. We picked up the pace late in the first half and found our rhythm in the second half but their defending was very solid and we couldn't create the shooting opportunities."