Wales are without a host of front-line players with 15 included in Warren Gatland’s British & Irish Lions squad.
But while the Far Eastern experience provides opportunities for a number of fringe and uncapped players, Edwards insists Wales must live up to their champions of Europe tag.
“This is probably the most inexperienced Test squad Wales have ever put together so we have to be realistic with our expectations,” said Edwards.
“It is the first time these guys have played together and the first time we have worked with many of them so we cannot expect them to play the way the team did against England or have the understanding of lads who we’ve coached for three or four years.
“But we are still here to win. We are the double European champions after winning the Six Nations for the last two years so we have a proud record and reputation to uphold.
“Japan have a had a few games together, which is always preferable, and the divide in world rugby is not like it was years ago so we know we’ve got our hands full.”
Japan tour coach Robin McBryde names his team tomorrow and several uncapped players are set to be included.
“We’ve got up to 30 players out so this is a great opportunity for these guys to create a good impression with the coaches for when it comes to selecting the squad for the autumn,” said Edwards
“Coaches remember how well someone prepared, how hard they trained and most of all how well they played. For some of these guys, this is going to be the start of what could be a long international career, if they take their chance.”
Wales are to ask South African referee Lourens van der Merwe for a water break midway through each half of Saturday’s Test with temperatures set to reach 30-degrees combined with high humidity levels.
“It will up to the referee’s discretion but we will ask for the water break after 20 minutes because these conditions are pretty unprecedented for us,” added Edwards.
“We’ve been training in the heat to try and get used to it and put in three weeks of good preparation but there’s no doubt it’s pretty uncomfortable for players from the UK. But at the end of the day, we’re just going to have to tough it out.”
