On 21 May 1997, he debuted for Japan national team against South Korea. Although he played 4 games and scored 2 goals at 1998 World Cup qualification in 1997, he was not selected Japan for 1998 World Cup. In 2000, he played for Japan for the first time in 3 years. At 2000 Asian Cup in October, he played all 6 games and scored 5 goals. Japan won the champions. At 2001 Confederations Cup, he also played 4 games and scored 1 goals. Japan won the 2nd place. He was selected Japan for 2002 World Cup and played 1 game. This match was his last game for Japan. He played 29 games and scored 10 goals for Japan until 2002.