Former AFL star Brian Lake remains in a Japanese jail with no release date set, despite reports that he could soon be freed after apologising for his part in an alleged bar scuffle.

Norm Smith medallist Lake has spent four nights detained in an Osaka jail over an alleged incident on Sunday morning (AEST) after winning an AFL Asia tournament playing for the Indonesian Volcanoes.

The three-time Hawthorn champion faces up to 23 days in custody without charge under Japanese law.

Lake's manager Marty Pask said on Thursday that he was in Osaka working to get his client home.

"The process to get Brian home to Australia is progressing, however, no final outcomes have yet been achieved and no release date set," Pask said in a statement.

"I am currently in Osaka working directly with the consulate and Brian’s legal representatives to expedite this process, while respecting the relevant Japanese laws and customs.

"My priority is with Brian’s wellbeing and getting him home to his wife and kids, who are understandably distressed.

"I understand the media interest in Brian’s situation, but we would appreciate space to work through this process with clarity.

"We will provide a further update when appropriate."

Brian Lake. Justin McManus

Reports earlier on Thursday had suggested he could be released within 24 hours after apologising to his alleged victim, according to News Corp.

His coach Rick Olarenshaw, who coaxed the retired defender into playing in the overseas competition, said signs pointed to the 36-year-old being set free prior to the weekend.

"They were going to mediate yesterday," the former Essendon wingman told 3AW on Thursday.

"Perhaps an apology will be given and then they were hoping that Brian would be released by the latest (on) Friday."

The team lost track of the 251-gamer after a sportsman's night, with Olarenshaw initially dismissing Lake's absence the next morning as "sleeping off his hangover" before hearing of his arrest.

"No one saw it ... so details are very vague," he said.

"We don't know whether it was a push-and-shove, or it was a verbal argument or a punch.

"He must have been in some sort of argument or scuffle with a local Japanese man."

Lake is not the first Aussie sportsman subjected to Japan's strict laws, with Wallabies great George Smith and former motorcycle world champion Wayne Gardner recently detained.

Lake's imposing 195cm frame may have contributed to his arrest, Olarenshaw added.

"It only takes a six foot five (inches) bloke to have a bit of an argument with someone and it could be seen as pretty serious," he said, adding that even jaywalking is frowned upon in Japan.

Olarenshaw said he was concerned for Lake's safety inside a foreign prison.

He also echoed former Western Bulldogs teammate Adam Cooney's view that the previous part-time AFL media presenter was dealing with personal issues.

"He's going through a fair bit mentally," Olerenshaw said.

"That's why he came to Bali just for a bit of a break, and then we talked him into coming to Osaka."

Lake played 251 AFL games, including 197 for the Western Bulldogs before he switched to Hawthorn to snare three flags and retire in 2015.

He has recently been in Fiji, filming for Network Ten's reality TV show, Australian Survivor.

AFL Asia president Matt Gale has been approached for comment.

AAP

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