Midfielder Toshiya Fujita was the only European-based player called up by Japan coach Zico on Sunday when the Brazilian named his 23-squad for the East Asian Championship, beginning on Dec. 4.
Fujita has been released by Dutch club FC Utrecht for Dec. 10 clash with South Korea but will not be available for the first two games against China on Dec. 4 and Hong Kong three days later.
The tournament takes place in Japan. Regulars, including Hidetoshi Nakata (Parma), Junichi Inamoto (Fulham) and Shinji Ono (Feyenoord), will be absent due to club commitments.