Hajime Moriyasu signed a new contract to lead Japan's senior football team in next year's Asian Cup, after reaching the knockout stages of the World Cup, according to local media reports on Thursday. Japanese media said the contract will end after the Asian Cup hosted by Saudi Arabia from January 7 to February 5 next year. The reports added, citing the Japan Football Association, that he will leave his position regardless of Japan's results in the tournament, with current Under-23 coach Go Oiwa set to succeed him. Moriyasu is the longest-serving coach in Japan's history, having taken charge after the 2018 World Cup in Russia. The 57-year-old coach led his country to surprise victories over Germany and Spain at the 2022 World Cup, before losing to Croatia on penalties in the round of 16. He also led Japan to the round of 32 at this year's World Cup in North America, where they were eliminated after conceding a last-minute goal in stoppage time in a 2-1 loss to Brazil. Moriyasu also coached Japan in two editions of the Asian Cup and the Copa America, in addition to the Tokyo 2021 Olympics, where the team finished fourth. The draw placed Japan in Group Six of the Asian Cup, where they will face defending champions Qatar, Thailand, and Indonesia. Japan have won the tournament a record four times, the last in 2011. They were eliminated in the 2024 edition in Qatar after losing to Iran in the quarterfinals.