The Red and Black have an impressive fan base in the nation, where coach and former Socceroo Tony Popovic played between 1997 and 2001 for Sanfrecce Hiroshima.

A number of Japanese players have also lined up for the A-League outfit, including club legend Shinji Ono. New signing Jumpei Kusukami is the latest, bringing the tally to four along with former players Yojiro Takahagi and Yusuke Tanaka.

Club CEO John Tsatsimas said that the club's latest visit to Japan would provide the perfect platform for another successful season.

“We’re looking forward to returning to Japan where we’ve always felt very welcome,” Tsatsimas said.
 
“Our tour (to Japan) before the 2013/14 season provided valuable experience leading into our successful AFC Champions League campaign which ultimately saw us crowned Champions of Asia.

“We believe that this tour of Japan will give us the best possible preparation for this season’s Hyundai A-League and AFC Champions League seasons as well as our FFA Cup quarter-final on 21 September.”

This will be the A-League outfit’s fifth trip to Japan for the 2014 Asian Champions – among them three AFC Champions League away games including a Round of 16 tie against Sanfrecce.

And it will be the club’s third pre-season tour overseas.

The Wanderers  travelled to Abu Dhabi in preparation for the knockout rounds of the 2014 AFC Champions League, participating in the International Petroleum Investments Company Championship.