Japan internationals Yuki Ogimi of Chelsea and Lyon's Saki Kumagai on Friday were among 10 women on FIFA's shortlist for the 2013 Women's Player of the Year.
Abby Wambach of the United States and five-time winner Marta of Brazil were also on the list of candidates that will be cut to three in early December. There were no Japanese on the shortlist for the FIFA World Coach of the Year for Women's Football 2013.
The list of women's players has been drawn up by experts from FIFA's committee for women's soccer and the FIFA Women's World Cup as well as a group of experts from France Football.
The winners will be revealed at the FIFA Ballon d'Or awards on Jan. 13.