Both sides went into the game looking for a confidence boost ahead of next summer’s World Cup in Russia but it was Tite's Brazil who went home happy after cruising to victory.
The ‘Seleçao’ were given the perfect chance to open the scoring after just 10 minutes when Southampton defender Maya Yoshida was adjudged to have wrestled Fernandinho to the ground as both sides prepared for a corner. After brief VAR referral the referee pointed to the spot and Neymar duly stepped up to send Kawashima the wrong way and give Brazil the lead.
Japan responded reasonably well to that goal but shot themselves in the foot just six minutes later as Yamaguchi bundled Gabriel Jesus over as he looked to latch onto a knockdown from Neymar and the referee pointed to the spot again.
Neymar took responsibility for the spot kick for the second time in the game, only to see his low effort kept out by Kawashima low to his right on this occasion.
Brazil weren’t made to rue the miss for too long though as they double their lead from the ensuing corner. The ball broke to Marcelo on the edge of the box and he fired into the roof of the net with his right foot.
Tite's side were in control at this point though they were issued a warning when Yoshida curled a free kick onto the bar on the half hour mark.
The South American side always looked capable of stepping things up a gear though and they did so again on 36 minutes as Willian fed the overlapping Danilo down the right, with his low cross perfect for Gabriel Jesus to tap home from close range.
Brazil went in at half-time with a commanding lead but Japan were much improved after the break and they got a consolation after 63 minutes as Makino headed past Cassio at the far post following a corner from the left.
Neymar fired a free kick over the bar as he continued his search for redemption in a second half of precious few chances as both sides slowed the tempo of the game considerably.
Japan thought they had got another goal back late on as Inui’s free kick from the left was headed home by Sugimoto but he was denied by the offside flag.
Alex Sandro headed a glorious chance wide for Brazil in added time but by the point the game had already been won.
bigger challenges will certainly lie ahead for Brazil as they look to win their sixth World Cup title but if Japan can build on their second half performance they could be a surprise package in Russia.