SCOTLAND prop Alasdair Dickinson says Japan will want revenge for World Cup defeat when they face off on Saturday.
The Brave Blossoms pulled off the shock of last year's tournament by beating South Africa 34-32 in Pool B, but lost 45-10 to the Scots in their next match.
They have an opportunity to get their own back on home turf on Saturday, when they face Vern Cotter's team in the opening match of a two-test series.
Read more: Matt Taylor grateful for Scotland's meet and greet ahead of Japan trip
Experienced prop Dickinson was in no doubt that the Japanese will pose a big physical challenge in Tokyo as he reflected on their World Cup encounter.
"It was very tough," he said.
"They had been outstanding against South Africa and were backing up that performance four days later. I found it very hard, especially up front.
Read more: Scotland receive boost ahead of Japan test as Richie Gray joins squad
"They are very strong men, well drilled and enjoy their scrummaging. I expect it to be equally hard at the weekend.
"We know they are coming after revenge from the World Cup, so it will be a tough one. We need to start well, which we did not do particularly well in that game. We need to tidy up a few of our fundamentals and need to come out of the box firing.
"Japan take their chances. They are very skilful players and we have seen what happens when they capitalise on errors with a lot of broken field play. Minimise errors and start better.
"All the games I have watched Japan play over many years, their set piece has been excellent.
"Their front five are all big, strong men and so, for us, it is another battle we have to win. We saw in the World Cup the tight areas were a huge challenge for us. Japan will have progressed, as have we - it is an area they are targeting,
"The Japanese scrum probably the lowest in the world. It is probably how they are built, big men who can get really low and we have to manage the combat. They are a tough scrummaging team who will be coming for us. It will he a good challenge."
Dickinson has been encouraged by the fact that a large contingent of the World Cup squad is likely to feature in this summer's series, forming a strong core group for Cotter to choose from.
"We have been quite lucky that not a lot of players have moved on and we have managed to keep a core for the last few years," he said.
"It is inevitable that the older guys will move on and the young guys will come through but over the last few years we have been able to keep a core together and evolve together to try to do something special."
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