Uncapped Hoffenheim striker Takashi Usami earned his first callup in over a year, while Manchester United star Shinji Kagawa was the most notable absentee as Japan coach Alberto Zaccheroni on Monday named his squad for the upcoming World Cup qualifier against Oman.
Usami, who has not been involved with the national team since his first callups for friendlies against Peru and the Czech Republic in June 2011, was one of 13 European-based players named to the 23-man squad that faces Oman away on Nov. 14.
"I want young players (like Usami) to show me how much they have improved," said Zaccheroni. "Usami is playing lots of games now but that is not the case with players like (Ryo) Miyaichi and (Yuki) Otsu. Even (Genki) Haraguchi, I think, has not played as much as he did last season.