FC Tokyo midfielder Naohiro Ishikawa and Kashima Antlers striker Shinzo Koroki both failed to make the cut as Japan coach Takeshi Okada named his squad for the upcoming East Asian championship in Tokyo.
Takashi Inui (Cerezo Osaka) and Daisuke Muramatsu (Shonan Bellmare) were also deemed surplus to requirements but Keiji Tamada and Atsuto Uchida were included in the trimmed down 23-man squad.
"Nao (Ishikawa) is not match fit so I thought it would be better for him to go back to his club and get matches under his belt," said Okada. "As for Koroki and Inui, I think they lack the mental toughness required to play against the likes of (Japan's World Cup opponents) Netherlands."
Nagoya Grampus striker Tamada is nursing a sore thigh and Kashima defender Uchida is suffering from mystery vomiting attacks and neither was involved in Tuesday's 0-0 draw against Venezuela.