Ao Tanaka netted a goal in each half to lead Japan to a 4-1 men's football friendly victory over Canada on Friday.
The Fortuna Dusseldorf midfielder struck the opener after just two minutes and later completed the scoring for the hosts four minutes into the second half at Niigata's Denka Big Swan Stadium.
Keito Nakamura made it 3-0 for Hajime Moriyasu's men late in the first half after they went up 2-0 on Alphonso Davies' own goal.
The final score somewhat flattered Canada, playing their first match under manager Mauro Biello, as they benefited from Japan squandering a number of gilt-edged opportunities in front of goal.
The one-sided result avenged Japan's 2-1 friendly loss to Canada last November in Dubai, in the Samurai Blue's final warm-up game before the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
Monaco playmaker Takumi Minamino pulled on the Japan shirt for the first time since the World Cup, starting between Reims' Nakamura and Junya Ito at the center of an entirely France-based attacking midfield trio.
The former Liverpool man made an immediate impact, putting the Canadian defense under pressure with an incisive run and cross from the right, then winning back the ball to create the opportunity for Tanaka's opener.
Canada's backline repeatedly failed to deal with balls into the box before Tanaka trapped a half-hearted clearance and slotted from mid-range.
The North Americans had shown little attacking intent until Davies won a penalty when he was fouled by Japanese keeper Keisuke Osako in a contest for the ball. Osako made amends, however, with an excellent save from Jonathan David's subsequent spot kick.
Japan's quick counterattacking forays led to a harried Davies deflecting into his own net in the 39th minute and to Nakamura's well-taken goal three minutes later.
Takuma Asano created the chance by robbing Canadian center-back Alistair Johnston and laying off for Nakamura, who took two touches before blasting into the back of the net.
Tanaka showed a striker's touch for his second, shaking off his marker and firing home after Ito received Minamino's ball and deftly floated a pass into the middle of the area.
"My first goal was right on target (while) the second one took my teammate giving me time and getting me the ball in space," Tanaka said.
"I think the goals we've been scoring we have been high quality, but we need to be more efficient in converting our chances and better at creating more chances."
Substitute Junior Hoilett, who also scored against Japan last November in Dubai, bagged a late consolation goal for the men in red.
The Samurai Blue will play Tunisia in their second friendly of the international break at Noevir Stadium in Kobe on Tuesday.
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