Yokohama F. Marinos midfielder and J. League MVP Shunsuke Nakamura was dropped from Japan's 22-member squad for next week's friendly against Spain while four new players -- Shimizu S-Pulse defensive midfielder Kazuyuki Toda, Sanfrecce defender Kenichi Uemura, Marinos defender Yasuhiro Hato and Kashima Antlers forward Takayuki Suzuki -- have been called up, Japan manager Philippe Troussier announced Monday in Tokyo.
Veteran striker Masashi Nakayama of Jubilo Iwata returns to the national team for the first time since December's friendly against South Korea.
As expected AS Roma midfielder Hidetoshi Nakata and Espanyol forward Akinori Nishizawa were also called up to the squad.