Japan midfielder Junichi Inamoto was unveiled as a Kawasaki Frontale player on Friday, completing his return to the J-League after almost nine years in Europe.

GettyImagesJunichi Inamoto made little impact in Ligue 1

Inamoto, 30, joined the club after a frustrating spell at French side Stade Rennes and now hopes to resurrect his international career.

"It will be easier for me to be part of the Japan set-up here than it was abroad," he said. "It's obviously a big plus that the Japan coach will see me play more. It's a bonus that I will be more in his line of vision during a World Cup year of course but it's not the only factor."

He added: "I saw DVDs of Frontale's games and thought I would be able to bring my style of play to the team. I'm excited about coming back to play in Japan and hope to help bring a J-League title to Kawasaki. The World Cup is not the only reason I'm back."

Inamoto played a key role in Japan's progress to the last 16 as co-hosts of the 2002 World Cup and was also a member of the squad at the 2006 tournament in Germany.

Japan coach Takeshi Okada has already indicated Inamoto's return to the J-League and first-team football will put him in line for regular international duty.

The tough-tackling midfielder has also had spells at Arsenal's English Premier League rivals Fulham, Turkish side Galatasaray and Germany's Eintracht Frankfurt. Inamoto has not played for a Japanese side since moving to Arsenal on loan from Gamba Osaka in 2001.