Celtic midfielder Shunsuke Nakamura will miss Japan's Kirin Cup opener against Chile in Osaka on May 27, national team coach Takeshi Okada said Friday.
"Nakamura gets back to Japan the day before the Chile game so there is no way he will play," said Okada. "I won't make him come to Osaka. He can join the team in Tokyo."
Japan wraps up its preparations for three World Cup qualifiers in June when it plays Belgium on May 31 in the final game of the three-nation Kirin Cup friendly tournament at National Stadium.
Japan is currently second on 11 points in Asian Group A in the final round of qualifiers, two behind Australia.