Typhoon Hagibis is scheduled to arrive in Yokohama late on Saturday, and it remains unclear if the game will go ahead.
But Townsend has opted to bring in Brown – who played half an hour at openside earlier this week against Russia.
Elsewhere, Sean Maitland misses out with a groin issue so Tommy Seymour starts on the wing with Darcy Graham on the other and Stuart Hogg at full-back.
Sam Johnson and Chris Harris are reunited in midfield after the 34-0 win over Samoa, as are Finn Russell and Greig Laidlaw in the half-backs, the latter captains the side.
Up front Brown packs down alongside Allan Dell and WP Nel with Jonny Gray and Grant Gilchrist in the second row.
The back row brings Jamie Ritchie and Magnus Bradbury back together with the rested Blade Thomson restored at No.8.
On the bench, Blair Kinghorn and the Horne brothers cover the backline while up front McInally is joined by Gordon Reid, Zander Fagerson, Scott Cummings and Ryan Wilson.
Townsend said: “It’s taken a real squad effort from our players here in Japan to put us in a position to play for a place in the quarter-finals, having risen to the challenge of what’s effectively been knockout rugby since the second round of our Pool.
“The entire group has featured in our past two Tests, both of which have been clinical and professional performances.
TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT
Here is your Scotland team to face Japan in our final #RWC2019 Pool A Test this Sunday! #AsOne pic.twitter.com/RRdIiTOcSs
— Scottish Rugby (@Scotlandteam) October 11, 2019
“It was great to see players get the opportunity to play in this World Cup on Wednesday and it looked like they enjoyed the experience.
“The effort invested in defence, support play and clearing has been encouraging and has put a lot of pressure on the opposition.
Scotland team to play Japan at Yokohama Stadium in Rugby World Cup Pool A
Sunday 13 October (kick-off 11.45am BST, 7.45pm local time)
15. Stuart Hogg VICE CAPTAIN (Exeter Chiefs) – 71 caps
14. Tommy Seymour (Glasgow Warriors) – 54 caps
13. Chris Harris (Gloucester) – 13 caps
12. Sam Johnson (Glasgow Warriors) – 8 caps
11. Darcy Graham (Edinburgh) – 10 caps
10. Finn Russell (Racing 92) – 48 caps
9. Greig Laidlaw CAPTAIN (Clermont Auvergne) – 75 caps
1. Allan Dell (London Irish) – 27 caps
2. Fraser Brown VICE CAPTAIN (Glasgow Warriors) – 45 caps
3. Willem Nel (Edinburgh) – 34 caps
4. Grant Gilchrist (Edinburgh) – 39 caps
5. Jonny Gray (Glasgow Warriors) – 54 caps
6. Magnus Bradbury (Edinburgh) – 10 caps
7. Jamie Ritchie (Edinburgh) – 13 caps
8. Blade Thomson (Scarlets) – 4 caps
Substitutes:
16. Stuart McInally (Edinburgh) – 32 caps
17. Gordon Reid (Ayrshire Bulls) – 40 caps
18. Zander Fagerson (Glasgow Warriors) – 24 caps
19. Scott Cummings (Glasgow Warriors) – 7 caps
20. Ryan Wilson (Glasgow Warriors) – 48 caps
21. George Horne (Glasgow Warriors) – 9 caps
22. Pete Horne (Glasgow Warriors) – 44 caps
23. Blair Kinghorn (Edinburgh) – 16 caps
