All the goals came after the break as the Dutch were twice pegged back by Japan, whose second equaliser arrived in the 88th minute.

Japan’s keeper Zion Suzuki made two fine first-half saves to deny Donyell Malen, while a stretching Cody Gakpo also had a chance to break the deadlock.

The Asian side threatened on a couple of occasions shortly before the half-time whistle blew, with both Keito Nakamura and Ayase Ueda shooting just wide of Bart Verbruggen’s goal.

However, it was the Dutch who scored first with 50 minutes on the clock. An inswinging cross from Ryan Gravenberch was headed into the net by Virgil van Dijk via the inside of the right-hand post.

The lead lasted just six minutes. Nakamura worked a yard of space on the edge of the box and drilled a shot into the net with the aid of a slight deflection.

The goals kept coming. In the 64th minute, West Ham’s Crysencio Summerville cut inside onto his left foot and curled a pinpoint finish into the net, this time the ball kissing the left-hand post on its way in.

Japan dominated possession and territory as the game reached its conclusion, and they were rewarded when Koki Ogawa’s header took a slight touch off his team-mate Daichi Kamada and beat Verbruggen.

Hato will hope to make his bow at the competition when Netherlands play their second game against Sweden on Saturday.