Alberto Zaccheroni
In February 2012, Shibasaki was called up to the Japan for the first time ahead of a match against Iceland by Manager Alberto Zaccheroni. However, he appeared as an unused substitute in a match, as Japan won 3–1 on 24 February 2012. Shibasaki's hope of making his debut for the national team continued to be delayed until August 2014 when he was called up.