Japan manager Philippe Troussier was in a confident mood Wednesday as he announced his senior team for an upcoming friendly international against world champion France, slated for March 24 at Saint-Dennis.

"Our team is in good condition," Troussier said in Tokyo, as he named his 22-member squad for Japan's first away game in 2001. "We'll show what our soccer is all about, which is active, dynamic and powerful."

Troussier formed his squad around the Asian Cup-winning members, which include Espanyol striker Akinori Nishizawa, Jubilo Iwata midfielder Hiroshi Nanami, Gamba Osaka midfielder Junichi Inamoto, Shimizu S-Pulse defender Ryuzo Morioka, Yokohama F. Marinos goalkeeper Yoshikatsu Kawaguchi and Urawa Reds midfielder Shinji Ono. AS Roma midfielder Hidetoshi Nakata will join the Japan senior team for the first time since last June's King Hassan II Cup in Morocco, as will Marinos forward Shoji Jo. But Cerezo Osaka's attacking midfielder Hiroaki Morishima, who played a significant role in Japan's Asian Cup success, was left out due to a knee injury suffered dur ing last Saturday's J. League game.

"The squad I've picked this time has mental strength and is full of fighting spirit," Troussier said.

The Japan boss admitted that the Asian champions will probably have to spend more time on defense than offense in games against the world's top teams, such as France. But he noted that his players are ready to fight any team.

"Are we brave enough to play against France? Fighting daringly is a virtue of the Japanese people. We have no inferiority complex. Even though we play the world and European champion, our players have good fighting spirit and aggressiveness," the Frenchman noted.

The Japanese team leaves for France on Tuesday.

Japan will play Spain on April 24 in Spain, the Confederation Cup from May 31-June 10 and the Kirin Cup starting in late June.

Troussier also noted that Japan is expected to play Nigeria in England in October and the JFA is arranging another game against the Netherlands later this year in the course of Japan's preparation for the 2002 World Cup.