CHIBA, Japan - Ajax defender Takehiro Tomiyasu returned to the Japan squad for the first time in a year and nine months on Thursday ahead of their upcoming friendlies away to fellow World Cup qualifiers Scotland and England.

The 27-year-old had two surgeries on his right knee since August 2024 and left Arsenal by mutual consent last summer. He joined the Dutch giants on a six-month deal in January before making his first Eredivisie start on Saturday.

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