Hajime Moriyasu on Thursday named six veterans from last summer's World Cup in Russia to the Japan national team for a pair of upcoming friendlies, calling on the players for the first time since he took over as manager in July.

Among the six, Moriyasu recalled Yuto Nagatomo, Yuya Osako and Maya Yoshida to Japan's 23-man roster for the games against Panama on Oct. 12 in Niigata and Uruguay in Saitama four days later.

Moriyasu, who since July has managed both the Olympic and senior national teams, named a less-experienced group for his first two games in charge against Chile and Costa Rica.