Hashiratani was capped 72 times and scored 6 goals for the Japanese national team from 1988 to 1995. He was a member of the Japan team for the 1992 Asian Cup which Japan won. He was the captain when Japan's hope to play in the 1994 World Cup finals was dashed by a late Iraqi equaliser in the final qualifier, the match that the Japanese fans now refer to as the "Agony of Doha" ().