OITA - Goals by Marcus Tulio Tanaka and substitute Koji Yamase lifted Japan to a 2-0 win over Cameroon in an international friendly at Oita Stadium on Wednesday.

In his side's first match since finishing fourth at last month's AFC Asian Cup, Japan coach Ivica Osim took the opportunity to test out a number of players including forwards Tatsuya Tanaka, Ryoichi Maeda and Yoshito Okubo, formerly of Spanish side Mallorca.

Meanwhile, the visitors, who are tuning up for next year's African Cup of Nations, fielded a number of their Europe-based stars including Barcelona forward Samuel Eto'o and Galatasaray defender Rigobert Song.

The Japanese took the lead in the 25th minute after they were awarded a free-kick for a push on Tatsuya Tanaka. Yasuhito Endo curled the ball in for Tulio who outjumped defender Timothee Atouba to head in the opening goal.

The African side nearly got back on terms two minutes later when Joseph-Desire Job cut into the box from the left and fired a shot across goal from a tight angle which somehow eluded a group of players in the middle.

On the half-hour, Tatsuya Tanaka's cross from the right flank was cleared by a Cameroon defender at the near post just before it could reach Okubo.

Osim brought on defender Yasuyuki Konno, midfielder Koji Yamase and forwards Daiki Takamatsu and Hisato Sato at the start of the second half but the numerous changes caused confusion in the Japan side, allowing the visitors to take control.

Job, Eto'o and substitutes Guy Armand Feutchine and Mohamadou Idrissou all kept the Japan defence busy but the home side held firm and Yamase added an insurance goal in the 89th minute when he blasted home an excellent shot from outside the box.

Eto'o had a final chance for Cameroon with a free-kick in stoppage time but Japan goalkeeper Yoshikatsu Kawaguchi made a fine save to maintain a clean sheet.

"It was a good experience for our players and our fans, and I'm glad we beat our opponents who featured high quality players," said Osim.

"We showed what we can do well in the first half but we became erratic in the second half because our players became tired and we lost some balance with our substitutions.

"Our opponents also came forward in their attempt to get back in the game but we were able to assess our abilities in today's game," the former Yugoslavia national coach added.