Japan national football team
Japan is the first team from outside the Americas to participate in the Copa América, having been invited in both 1999 and 2011. However, Japan declined their invitation on 16 May 2011, after events related to the difficulty of releasing some Japanese players from European teams to play as replacements. On 17 May 2011, CONMEBOL invited Costa Rica to replace Japan in the competition; the Costa Rican Football Federation accepted their invitation later that day.
All Japan Senior Football Championship
The All Japan Senior Football Championship ("Zenkoku Shakaijin Sakkā Senshuken Taikai", 全国社会人サッカー選手権大会) is a football (soccer) cup competition in Japan. It is run by the Japan Football Association. As it only involves non-league teams (teams not affiliated to either J. League or the Japan Football League), it can be considered an equivalent of the FA Trophy or FA Vase in England.