Nagoya Grampus on Thursday announced the release of nine players from the club following the conclusion of their contracts.
Among those cut are veteran defender Akira Takeuchi, longtime midfielder Yoshizumi Ozawa, former Samurai Blue side back Michihiro Yasuda and 2002 FIFA World Cup participant Tomokazu Myojin.
The news came one week after the J.League co-founders were relegated to the 2017 MEIJI YASUDA J2 League following a 16th-place finish in the MEIJI YASUDA J1 League campaign.