Japan vs South Korea
head-to-head record
- Japan wins
- 14
- Draws
- 21
- South Korea wins
- 38
73 meetings, 1954 to 2022Goals: Japan 66, South Korea 110
Japan and South Korea have met 73 times since 1954. South Korea have won 38, Japan 14, and 21 matches ended level. They last met on 27 July 2022, when Japan won 3–0 in the EAFF Championship.
The 73 meetings have produced 176 goals, 2.41 per game. The biggest win is South Korea’s 5–1 in World Cup qualifying in 1954. Japan have won the last two meetings.
Who has won more, Japan or South Korea?
All matches73 matches
14 Japan21 drawsSouth Korea 38
Competitive48 matches
8 Japan16 drawsSouth Korea 24
Friendlies25 matches
6 Japan5 drawsSouth Korea 14
Key numbers
- Goals
- Japan 66, South Korea 1102.41 per game
- First meeting
- Japan 1–5 South KoreaWorld Cup qualifying, 7 Mar 1954
- Most recent
- Japan 3–0 South KoreaEAFF Championship, 27 Jul 2022
- Japan’s biggest win
- Japan 4–1 South KoreaFriendly, 28 Sept 1974
- South Korea’s biggest win
- Japan 1–5 South KoreaWorld Cup qualifying, 7 Mar 1954
- Most goals in a meeting
- Japan 1–5 South KoreaWorld Cup qualifying, 7 Mar 1954
- Current run
- Japan, 2 wins in a row
- Biggest upset
- Japan 2–1 South KoreaFriendly, 4 Mar 1979Winner’s rating-based win expectancy: 14%
- TFN Elo rating now
- Japan 1963 (13th), South Korea 1833 (31st)How the rating works
Last five meetings
- Japan3South Korea0
EAFF Championship
Toyota, Japan
- Japan3South Korea0
Friendly
Yokohama, Japan
- South Korea1Japan0
EAFF Championship
Busan, South Korea
- Japan1South Korea4
EAFF Championship
Chōfu, Japan
- Japan1South Korea1
EAFF Championship
Wuhan, China (neutral)
Who has had the upper hand over time?
The line climbs with every Japan win and drops with every South Korea win, so its height shows who has won more meetings up to that point.
Above the line: Japan have won more Below: South Korea have won more
Level
Every meeting on one timeline
Japan wins
Draws
South Korea wins
Home, away and neutral
In Japan's home games
26 matches
6713
JapanDrawsSouth Korea
In South Korea's home games
21 matches
5214
JapanDrawsSouth Korea
At neutral venues
26 matches
31211
JapanDrawsSouth Korea
Record by competition
| Competition | Played | Japan | Draws | South Korea | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Friendly | 25 | 6 | 5 | 14 | 24–34 |
| World Cup qualifying | 13 | 2 | 3 | 8 | 11–21 |
| EAFF Championship | 9 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 10–11 |
| Merdeka Tournament | 9 | 0 | 4 | 5 | 4–17 |
| Asian Games | 6 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 6–12 |
| Dynasty Cup | 6 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 7–8 |
| AFC Asian Cup | 3 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 2–4 |
| AFC Asian Cup qualifying | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2–1 |
| Korea Cup | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0–2 |
Meetings by decade
Japan wins Draws South Korea wins
| Decade | Results | Played | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1950s | 4 | 14 | |
| 1960s | 8 | 19 | |
| 1970s | 17 | 49 | |
| 1980s | 11 | 22 | |
| 1990s | 14 | 34 | |
| 2000s | 8 | 8 | |
| 2010s | 9 | 24 | |
| 2020s | 2 | 6 |
Longest runs
| Longest run of | Japan | South Korea |
|---|---|---|
| Wins in a row | 22021 to 2022 | 71985 to 1991 |
| Unbeaten meetings | 52010 to 2015 | 91985 to 1992 |
The longest run of draws is 3, from 21 February 1995 to 21 May 1997.
Top scorers in Japan vs South Korea
- 1Chung Soon-cheonSouth Korea3
- 2Choi Chung-minSouth Korea2
- 3Choi Kwang-sukSouth Korea2
- 4Chung Nam-sikSouth Korea2
- 5Jeong Gang-JiSouth Korea2
- 6Toshio IwataniJapan2
Scorer records exist for 14 of the 73 meetings, mostly competitive matches. Own goals are not credited to a player.
Penalty shootouts
- Japan 2–2 South KoreaDynasty Cup, 29 Aug 1992Japan won on penalties
- Japan 2–2 South KoreaDynasty Cup, 26 Feb 1995Japan won on penalties
- South Korea 0–0 JapanAFC Asian Cup, 28 Jul 2007South Korea won on penalties
- Japan 2–2 South KoreaAFC Asian Cup, 25 Jan 2011Japan won on penalties
Questions answered
How many times have Japan and South Korea played each other?
73 times, starting on 7 March 1954. 48 of those meetings were competitive and 25 were friendlies.
Who has won more matches between Japan and South Korea?
South Korea, with 38 wins to 14. 21 matches ended level.
What is the biggest win in Japan vs South Korea?
South Korea’s 5–1 win in World Cup qualifying on 7 March 1954 in Tokyo.
When did Japan and South Korea last play?
On 27 July 2022 in Toyota, when Japan won 3–0 in the EAFF Championship.
What is the competitive record between Japan and South Korea?
In 48 competitive matches, Japan have 8 wins, South Korea have 24, and 16 ended level.
Have Japan and South Korea met in a penalty shootout?
Yes, 4 times. Most recently at the AFC Asian Cup on 25 January 2011, when Japan won the shootout after a 2–2 draw.
Every Japan vs South Korea result
| Date | Home | Score | Away | Competition | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Japan | 3–0 | South Korea | EAFF Championship | Toyota, Japan | |
| Japan | 3–0 | South Korea | Friendly | Yokohama, Japan | |
| South Korea | 1–0 | Japan | EAFF Championship | Busan, South Korea | |
| Japan | 1–4 | South Korea | EAFF Championship | Chōfu, Japan | |
| Japan | 1–1 | South Korea | EAFF Championship | Wuhan, China (neutral) | |
| South Korea | 1–2 | Japan | EAFF Championship | Seoul, South Korea | |
| Japan | 3–0 | South Korea | Friendly | Sapporo, Japan | |
| Japan | 2–2Japan on pens | South Korea | AFC Asian Cup | Doha, Qatar (neutral) | |
| South Korea | 0–0 | Japan | Friendly | Seoul, South Korea | |
| Japan | 0–2 | South Korea | Friendly | Saitama, Japan | |
| Japan | 1–3 | South Korea | EAFF Championship | Tokyo, Japan | |
| Japan | 1–1 | South Korea | EAFF Championship | Chongqing, China (neutral) | |
| South Korea | 0–0South Korea on pens | Japan | AFC Asian Cup | Palembang, Indonesia (neutral) | |
| South Korea | 0–1 | Japan | EAFF Championship | Daegu, South Korea | |
| Japan | 0–0 | South Korea | EAFF Championship | Yokohama, Japan | |
| Japan | 0–1 | South Korea | Friendly | Tokyo, Japan | |
| South Korea | 0–1 | Japan | Friendly | Seoul, South Korea | |
| Japan | 1–1 | South Korea | Friendly | Tokyo, Japan | |
| South Korea | 1–0 | Japan | Friendly | Seoul, South Korea | |
| Japan | 0–2 | South Korea | Asian Games | Bangkok, Thailand (neutral) | |
| South Korea | 2–1 | Japan | Friendly | Seoul, South Korea | |
| Japan | 2–1 | South Korea | Dynasty Cup | Yokohama, Japan | |
| South Korea | 0–2 | Japan | World Cup qualifying | Seoul, South Korea | |
| Japan | 1–2 | South Korea | World Cup qualifying | Tokyo, Japan | |
| Japan | 1–1 | South Korea | Friendly | Tokyo, Japan | |
| Japan | 2–2Japan on pens | South Korea | Dynasty Cup | Victoria, Hong Kong (neutral) | |
| Japan | 1–1 | South Korea | Dynasty Cup | Victoria, Hong Kong (neutral) | |
| Japan | 2–3 | South Korea | Asian Games | Hiroshima, Japan | |
| Japan | 1–0 | South Korea | World Cup qualifying | Doha, Qatar (neutral) | |
| Japan | 2–2Japan on pens | South Korea | Dynasty Cup | Beijing, China (neutral) | |
| Japan | 0–0 | South Korea | Dynasty Cup | Beijing, China (neutral) | |
| Japan | 0–1 | South Korea | Friendly | Nagasaki, Japan | |
| Japan | 0–2 | South Korea | Dynasty Cup | Beijing, China (neutral) | |
| South Korea | 1–0 | Japan | Friendly | Seoul, South Korea | |
| South Korea | 2–0 | Japan | AFC Asian Cup | Doha, Qatar (neutral) | |
| Japan | 0–1 | South Korea | Friendly | Tokyo, Japan | |
| South Korea | 1–0 | Japan | World Cup qualifying | Seoul, South Korea | |
| Japan | 1–2 | South Korea | World Cup qualifying | Tokyo, Japan | |
| South Korea | 1–2 | Japan | Friendly | Seoul, South Korea | |
| Japan | 1–1 | South Korea | Friendly | Tokyo, Japan | |
| South Korea | 1–2 | Japan | Asian Games | New Delhi, India (neutral) | |
| South Korea | 3–0 | Japan | Friendly | Seoul, South Korea | |
| South Korea | 2–0 | Japan | Korea Cup | Busan, South Korea | |
| Japan | 0–1 | South Korea | Friendly | Tokyo, Japan | |
| South Korea | 4–1 | Japan | Friendly | Seoul, South Korea | |
| Japan | 2–1 | South Korea | Friendly | Tokyo, Japan | |
| Japan | 1–3 | South Korea | Asian Games | Bangkok, Thailand (neutral) | |
| Japan | 0–4 | South Korea | Merdeka Tournament | Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (neutral) | |
| South Korea | 2–1 | Japan | Friendly | Seoul, South Korea | |
| South Korea | 1–0 | Japan | World Cup qualifying | Seoul, South Korea | |
| Japan | 0–0 | South Korea | World Cup qualifying | Tokyo, Japan | |
| Japan | 1–2 | South Korea | Friendly | Tokyo, Japan | |
| Japan | 0–0 | South Korea | Merdeka Tournament | Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (neutral) | |
| South Korea | 3–0 | Japan | Friendly | Seoul, South Korea | |
| Japan | 1–3 | South Korea | Merdeka Tournament | Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (neutral) | |
| Japan | 4–1 | South Korea | Friendly | Tokyo, Japan | |
| South Korea | 2–0 | Japan | Friendly | Seoul, South Korea | |
| Japan | 2–2 | South Korea | Friendly | Tokyo, Japan | |
| Japan | 0–3 | South Korea | Merdeka Tournament | Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (neutral) | |
| Japan | 1–2 | South Korea | Asian Games | Bangkok, Thailand (neutral) | |
| Japan | 1–1 | South Korea | Merdeka Tournament | Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (neutral) | |
| South Korea | 2–0 | Japan | World Cup qualifying | Seoul, South Korea | |
| South Korea | 2–2 | Japan | World Cup qualifying | Seoul, South Korea | |
| Japan | 2–1 | South Korea | AFC Asian Cup qualifying | Taipei, Taiwan (neutral) | |
| South Korea | 2–0 | Japan | Merdeka Tournament | Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (neutral) | |
| South Korea | 1–1 | Japan | Merdeka Tournament | Kuala Lumpur, Malaya (neutral) | |
| South Korea | 1–0 | Japan | Asian Games | Jakarta, Indonesia (neutral) | |
| Japan | 0–2 | South Korea | World Cup qualifying | Tokyo, Japan | |
| South Korea | 2–1 | Japan | World Cup qualifying | Seoul, South Korea | |
| Japan | 1–3 | South Korea | Merdeka Tournament | Kuala Lumpur, Malaya (neutral) | |
| Japan | 0–0 | South Korea | Merdeka Tournament | Kuala Lumpur, Malaya (neutral) | |
| Japan | 2–2 | South Korea | World Cup qualifying | Tokyo, Japan | |
| Japan | 1–5 | South Korea | World Cup qualifying | Tokyo, Japan |
Recent form
Japan
- Wv New ZealandKirin Cup2–1Mon 5 Oct 2026
- Dv EcuadorKirin Cup0–0Thu 1 Oct 2026
- Wv VenezuelaFriendly2–1Mon 28 Sept 2026
- Lv BrazilWorld Cup1–2Mon 29 Jun 2026
- Dv SwedenWorld Cup1–1Thu 25 Jun 2026
South Korea
- Wv UzbekistanFriendly2–0Tue 6 Oct 2026
- Dv VenezuelaFriendly0–0Fri 2 Oct 2026
- Lv UruguayFriendly1–4Mon 28 Sept 2026
- Wv EcuadorFriendly3–0Thu 24 Sept 2026
- Lv South AfricaWorld Cup0–1Wed 24 Jun 2026
Related rivalries
More Japan head-to-heads
Japan vs Australia28 meetings
Japan vs China43 meetings
Japan vs Malaysia25 meetings
Japan vs Singapore24 meetings
Japan vs Thailand23 meetings
Japan vs Hong Kong22 meetings
Japan vs North Korea20 meetings
Japan vs Indonesia19 meetings
More South Korea head-to-heads
- South Korea vs Malaysia57 meetings
- South Korea vs Thailand51 meetings
- South Korea vs Indonesia38 meetings
- South Korea vs China37 meetings
South Korea vs Iran33 meetings- South Korea vs Singapore30 meetings
- South Korea vs Australia29 meetings
- South Korea vs Hong Kong28 meetings
Results through 6 October 2026. Page updated 3 November 2026. How these numbers are calculated.