Lake is amongst eight players from the Swansea-based region, with the uncapped Ospreys trio of prop Garyn Phillips, wing Keelan Giles and scrum-half Reuben Morgan-Williams named after impressing in the United Rugby Championship this season.
There are also recalls for versatile forward James Ratti and scrum-half Kieran Hardy, who join Gareth Thomas, young fly-half Dan Edwards and Lake, who were part of Wales’ squad at the Six Nations for returning interim coach Matt Sherratt.
Sherratt has also named three further uncapped players in his selection, with exciting Scarlets utility back Macs Page given a chance after an eye-catching breakthrough season. Teammates Josh Macleod and Johnny Williams earn recalls, whilst Cardiff captain Liam Belcher and Dragons prop Chris Coleman will be eager to gain first caps as the other fresh faces in the camp. There is however, no room for highly-rated Ospreys number eight Morgan Morse.
Notable absentees for the tour are Morgan and Gloucester scrum-half Tomos Williams, who are away with the British & Irish Lions. Lock Dafydd Jenkins faces surgery, whilst fellow second row duo Adam Beard and Will Rowlands are rested.
Scarlets pair Henry Thomas and Ellis Mee, Gloucester duo Gareth Anscombe and Max Llewellyn, Saracens centre Nick Tompkins and Cardiff duo James Botham and Evan Lloyd all miss out this time around for selection as Wales look to end a record run of successive 17 Test losses.
Despite Wales having not won an international since October 2023, a run that includes two successive Six Nations Wooden Spoons, Cardiff boss Sherratt is relishing taking on the role of the national side.
After encouraging signs earlier in the year in his initial spell in charge following the dismissal of Warren Gatland, Sherratt says he can’t wait to get going once more.
“I’m delighted to have the opportunity to return and coach Wales again this summer,” said Sherratt speaking at the squad selection.
“It’s an exciting prospect to go to Japan for two matches in July. We are all looking forward to getting into camp and starting preparations for our summer campaign.
“There’s a good blend of experience and young talent selected and this group has a lot of potential.
“Going to Japan this July is a challenge the coaches and I are relishing. We are expecting a fierce contest from Japan in these Test matches.
“Over the next few weeks in camp, it’s about working hard, getting all our prep right on and off the pitch and gelling together as a group.”
Wales take on Japan in the first Test in Kitakyushu on July 5, before playing them again the following week in Kobe.
Wales squad to tour Japan
Forwards: Nicky Smith, Gareth Thomas, Garyn Phillips, Keiron Assiratti, Chris Coleman, Archie Griffin, Dewi Lake (capt), Liam Belcher, Elliot Dee, Ben Carter, Teddy Williams, Freddie Thomas, James Ratti, Taine Plumtree, Aaron Wainwright, Alex Mann, Taulupe Faletau, Tommy Reffell, Josh Macleod.
Backs: Kieran Hardy, Reuben Morgan-Williams, Rhodri Williams, Sam Costelow, Dan Edwards, Ben Thomas, Johnny Williams, Joe Roberts, Macs Page, Josh Adams, Tom Rogers, Blair Murray, Keelan Giles, Cameron Winnett.
[Lead image: Welsh Rugby Union]
