Both teams had their chances in regulation time. Australia's Harry Kewell was one-on-one with Eiji Kawashima, but the goalkeeper saved the striker's shot with his leg.
The Socceroos could also have clinched it in the first extra period, when Kewell fed substitute Brett Emerton in the 102nd minute, but he drove his shot wide.
Japan won the Asian Cup for a record fourth time when substitute Tadanari Lee slammed home a left-foot volley in the 109th minute after he was left unmarked 10 yards from Australia's goal.
The Japan forward then ran to the centre circle and fired a symbolic arrow into the night sky over the Khalifa stadium as fireworks exploded to celebrate the goal.
"We played the entire tournament with great courage and always sought to impose our game," said Japan's Italian coach, Alberto Zaccheroni.
The defeat means still no major international honours for Kewell and Tim Cahill, Australia's best known stars, who were both substituted and saw Japan's triumph from the bench.
The Socceroos will host the tournament in 2015.
ORIGINAL SOURCE
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