Fukunishi offers a more defensive option in midfield to some of his more celebrated team-mates and has long been a valuable part of the national team set-up. He has spent his entire club career with Jubilo Iwata, totting up nearly 300 J-League appearances since making his debut in 1995 against Kashima Antlers. Fukunishi's international debut came in June 1999 against Peru and he has already passed the 50-cap landmark despite having not yet reached his 30th birthday. He managed only six minutes of action four years ago and will be hoping for more game-time in Germany.