TOKYO (AFP) - Brazilian striker Juninho said he hopes to gain Japanese citizenship, raising the possibility the J-League's leading striker last season could represent his new country at international level, a report said Tuesday.

The 30-year-old Kawasaki Frontale forward told a sports newspaper that he wants to spend the rest of his life in Japan, where he came in 2003.

"I was able to succeed in Japan and have been able to support my family here," he told the Sports Hochi.

"I like Japan very much. I have come to believe that I want to spend the rest of my life here. If I could become a Japanese citizen, I would do that," he said.

Formerly with Sociedade Esportiva Palmeiras of Brazil, the prolific Juninho scored 22 goals in 31 J-League games last season.

Several Brazilian players have become Japanese citizens and represented Japan at World Cups.

Acquiring nationality is usually a lengthy process in Japan, which has tight controls on immigration and largely sees itself as culturally homogeneous.