Japan manager Philippe Troussier on Thursday called up all of the overseas-based Japan players and recalled four home-based players to his 25-member squad for Japan's European tour starting next week.
As a part of its World Cup preparations, Japan will play Senegal on Oct. 4 in Lens, France, and Nigeria on Oct. 7 in Southampton, England -- two of the African countries that have secured their spot in next year's World Cup.
The squad includes midfielders Hidetoshi Nakata of Parma, Shinji Ono of Feyenoord, Junji Inamoto of Arsenal, and forward Akinori Nishizawa of Bolton. South American based Boca Juniors forward Naohiro Takahara and Cero Portano midfielder Nozomi Hiroyama will also join the squad.