TOKYO (AFP) - Japan's frontline for the upcoming East Asian championship has been further diluted with former Mallorca forward Yoshito Okubo and J-League Chiba striker Seiichiro Maki sidelined by injuries.

The Japan Football Association said Saturday that Urawa Reds utility man Yuki Abe, who usually plays centre back for the country, would also miss the February 17-23 tournament in Chongqing, China through injury.

Japan's new coach Takeshi Okada has already dropped former Eintracht Frankfurt striker Naohiro Takahara, who is in poor form.

Urawa defender Keisuke Tsuboi, a regular in Japan's backline, has announced his retirement from international duty.

Okada called up just two uncapped players -- Gamba Osaka defender Michihiro Yasuda and Kashima Antlers forward Yuzo Tashiro.

The squad is made up entirely of J-League players as Okada did not bother to recruit from any of the Japanese plying their trade in Europe, including Celtic star playmaker Shunsuke Nakamura.

Okubo, now with Vissel Kobe, scored a lucky goal against Thailand in a World Cup qualifier last Wednesday for his third goal in 24 internationals, but has injured his right knee, the association said.

Maki broke a right rib in Japan's 4-1 friendly win over Bosnia on January 30.

Abe has injured a left thigh muscle, the association added.

Japan will play North Korea on February 17, followed by games against China and South Korea in the biennial East Asian championship.

Japan, who failed to win a third straight Asian Cup last year, finished runners-up to South Korea and China in the previous events in 2003 and 2005.

The new squad:

Goalkeepers: Yoshikatsu Kawaguchi (Jubilo Iwata), Seigo Narazaki (Nagoya Grampus), Eiji Kawashima (Kawasaki Frontale)

Defenders: Yuji Nakazawa (Yokohama Marinos), Akira Kaji (Gamba Osaka), Yuichi Komano (Jubilo Iwata), Daiki Iwamasa (Kashima Antlers), Hiroki Mizumoto (Gamba Osaka), Atsuto Uchida (Kashima Antlers), Michihiro Yasuda (Gamba Osaka)

Midfielders: Hideo Hashimoto (Gamba Osaka), Naotake Hanyu (FC Tokyo), Yasuhito Endo (Gamba Osaka), Kengo Nakamura (Kawasaki Frontale), Keita Suzuki (Urawa Reds), Koji Yamase (Yokohama Marinos), Yasuyuki Konno (FC Tokyo), Satoru Yamagishi (Kawasaki Frontale)

Forwards: Ryuji Bando (Gamba Osaka), Ryoichi Maeda (Jubilo Iwata), Kisho Yano (Albirex Niigata), Yuzo Tashiro (Kashima Antlers)