TOKYO (FIBA World Championship for Women) - Ten of the players who handed Japan a long awaited triumph at last year's FIBA Asia Championship for Women could be back on board when they step out in Ankara at the FIBA World Championship for Women.

The core of the title-winning team are all set to return to action, although there is one sizeable headache for head coach Tomohide Utsumi to deal with, since star playmaker Asami Yoshida is one of two absences, along with Chika Sakuragi.

Yoshida has had another standout season domestically in the Women Japanese Basketball League (WJBL) and averaged 4.4 assists in Bangkok last year, but Japan will have to do without the creative ability of the 26-year-old.

However, with one class act not on the plane to Turkey, it opens the door for someone else and what has been lost in the backcourt could be more than made up for under the basket.

Among five new members included in the preliminary list is Maki Takada, who could line up at her second FIBA World Championship for Women having appeared in the Czech Republic four years ago.

The center hasn't played since Japan's failed bid to reach the 2012 Olympics at the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament for Women, ironically also held at Ankara Arena.

Takada is coming off a sensational season with Denso Iris where she led the WJBL in scoring and rebounding, posting a monstrous double-double campaign of 19.5 points and 11.6 boards per game.

The other players looking to edge their way into contention are Mika Kurhiara, Minami Iju, Chinatsu Yamamoto and Moeko Nagaoka.

Another player who had hoped to make the roster was Rui Machida who starred at the FIBA U19 World Championship for Women in 2011.

However, she will be joining another group of Japanese players who have been tasked with landing a medal at the Asian Games in Incheon, Korea - an event which overlaps with the FIBA World Championship for Women.

Japan will face Brazil, Czech Republic and Spain in Group A.

Japan preliminary roster for 2014 FIBA World Championship for Women: Kumiko Oba, Kana Motoyama, Yuka Mamiya, Michiko Miyamoto, Emi Kudeken, Ramu Tokashiki, Arisa Fujiwara, Yuko Oga, Yuki Miyazawa, Asako O, Maki Takada, Mika Kurhiara, Minami Iju, Chinatsu Yamamoto and Moeko Nagaoka.

FIBA