In November 2007, Japan national team manager Ivica Osim was suffered a cerebral infarction. In December, Okada was named a new manager for Japan. In 2008, he selected new young player, Atsuto Uchida, Shinji Kagawa, Yuto Nagatomo, Keisuke Honda, Shinji Okazaki and so on. In 2009, Japan won to qualify for 2010 World Cup. Okada gained worldwide attention for leading Japan to ninth-place finish in the 2010 World Cup. He resigned after 2010 World Cup. In November 2010, he was selected "AFC Coach of the Year awards".