Japan footballer Kaishu Sano has been arrested for allegedly sexually assaulting a woman, local media reported on Wednesday.
Japan look poised to reach the final stage of qualifying for the 2026 World Cup without kicking a ball after FIFA said their match at North Korea will not be rescheduled.
Ao Tanaka scored the only goal after two minutes to give Japan a nervy 1-0 win over North Korea.
Son Heung-min and South Korea must move on from their turbulent Asian Cup when they return to World Cup qualifying Thursday.
Japanese police said Thursday that they have launched an investigation into international footballer Junya Ito after local media reports said two women had accused him of sexual assault, a claim he denies.
aoru Mitoma was named in Japan's Asian Cup squad despite an ankle injury, as coach Hajime Moriyasu looks to erase the "frustration" of their 2019 final defeat.
The Asian Cup will have 24 teams for the first time and hosts Qatar are the reigning champions.
Japan humiliated Euro 2024 hosts Germany 4-1 in a friendly international on Saturday, piling the pressure on struggling coach Hansi Flick
Amanda Ilestedt scored her fourth goal of the tournament and Filippa Angeldal netted a penalty as Sweden hung on to beat Japan 2-1 on Friday
FIFA President Gianni Infantino says he's "a happy man", but the women on the pitch deserve the most credit, not the men at FIFA
Japan's surprise title charge at the Women's World Cup gathered pace with a clinical 3-1 win over Norway to reach the last eight while Spain thrashed Switzerland 5-1 on Saturday
Co-hosts Australia powered into the last 16 of the Women's World Cup on Monday with a 4-0 win over Canada.
Miyazawa's brace took her to four goals for the tournament while Riko Ueki and Mina Tanaka bagged the others for a hugely impressive Japan.
Co-hosts Australia have to beat Canada on Monday or risk an unthinkable exit from the Women's World Cup in the first round
Rampant title contenders Spain and former champions Japan became the first teams to reach the Women's World Cup last 16 on Wednesday as both won with ease
England squeezed past Haiti 1-0 as they began their Women's World Cup title bid in unconvincing fashion on Saturday, but holders the United States and former champions Japan were far more comfortable
Japan lost to Croatia in a dramatic penalty shoot-out to bow out of Qatar World Cup 2022.
Brazil hit top gear with Neymar back in the line-up to brush aside South Korea 4-1 on Monday and ease into the quarter-finals of the World Cup where they will face Croatia.