The 57-year-old will become the Blue Samurai's sixth foreign manager and is the first Italian to take the job. He will be officially unveiled in a press conference in Tokyo tomorrow.

Zaccheroni is expected to attend Japan's training sessions from Thursday onwards but will not be in charge for the upcoming friendly matches against Paraguay on September 4 in Yokohama and Guatemala on September 7 in Osaka due to visa issues.

JFA technical director Hiromi Hara has already been confirmed in a caretaker capacity for both games, part of preparations for January's Asian Cup.

Zaccheroni has considerable experience in Italy having managed Udinese, AC Milan, Lazio, Inter Milan, Torino and Juventus, whom he guided to seventh after taking over midway through last season.

He also led AC Milan to the Serie A title in the 1998-99 season and replaces Takeshi Okada, who stood down after taking Japan to the second round of this summer's World Cup in South Africa.

"We've finally decided on our new Japan coach, Mr Zaccheroni," said JFA vice president Kuniya Daini.

"He came to Japan on Sunday and had talks with (Hiromi) Hara in person to reach an agreement. Our president (Junji) Ogura has given his approval too."