Naohiro Takahara stunned the home crowd in the 57th minute when he steered the ball into the top corner for the opener.

Five minutes after the hour mark, Takahara cut inside from the right and sent a dazzling finish that took deflection off the post and went past goalkeeper Jens Lehmann.

Miroslav Klose pulled one back in the 76th minute when he converted Bastian Schweinsteiger's free-kick into the back of the net.

Schweinsteiger turned scorer four minutes later and headed the equalizer home to give the home fans something to cheer about.

Germany play in Group A alongside Ecuador, Poland and Costa Rica. Japan are drawn in Group F with title holders Brazil, Croatia and Australia.