A fleet-footed attacker who currently plies his trade in the German Bundesliga, while also having played in Argentina for Boca Juniors. He has also had two spells in his homeland with Kashima Antlers, but injury and illness prevented him from featuring for his country at the last World Cup finals and the Confederations Cup last year. He made his international debut in March 2000 and has since won more than 40 caps for Japan. Set to leave Hamburg to move to fellow Bundesliga outfit Eintracht Frankfurt straight after the finals.