ɪn tˈuː θˈaʊzənd sˈɪks, hiː wʌz kˈɔːld ˌʌp fɔːɹ dʒəpˈænz tˈuː θˈaʊzənd sˈɪks fˈiːfə wˈɜːld kˈʌp skwˈɑːd, bˌʌt hædtə wɪθdɹˈɔː ˈæftɚ səstˈeɪnɪŋ ɐ θˈaɪ ˈɪndʒɚɹi pɹˈaɪɚ tə ðə tˈʊɹnəmənt.
In 2006, he was called up for Japan's 2006 FIFA World Cup squad, but had to withdraw after sustaining a thigh injury prior to the tournament.