Japan hopeful Kikuchi eyes pitching in U.S.

Japan hopeful Kikuchi eyes pitching in U.S.

TOKYO, Japan - Yusei Kikuchi, ace pitcher of Hanamaki Higashi High School, pitches during a game at Koshien Stadium in Hyogo Prefecture on Aug. 12, 2009. Kikuchi, who threw the fastest ball as a high-school lefty at 154 kilometers in August, said on Sept. 8, 2009 that he wants to leave open the option of signing with a U.S. major league club without playing professional baseball in Japan.

Aso stumps for votes on last day of election campaign

Aso stumps for votes on last day of election campaign

TOKYO, Japan - Prime Minister Taro Aso, who doubles as president of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, makes a plea for voter support in a campaign speech in front of JR Ikebukuro Station in Tokyo on Aug. 29, 2009, the last day of the official 12-day campaign for Japan's Aug. 30 House of Representatives election. Aso's LDP, which has held power almost without interruption for over 50 years, is struggling against the largest opposition Democratic Party of Japan, which polls show is likely to see a landslide win in the election.

Aso stumps for votes on last day of election campaign

Aso stumps for votes on last day of election campaign

TOKYO, Japan - Prime Minister Taro Aso, who doubles as president of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, makes a plea for voter support in a campaign speech in front of JR Ikebukuro Station in Tokyo on Aug. 29, 2009, the last day of the official 12-day campaign for Japan's Aug. 30 House of Representatives election. Aso's LDP, which has held power almost without interruption for over 50 years, is struggling against the largest opposition Democratic Party of Japan, which polls show is likely to see a landslide win in the election. (Kyodo)

Japan beauty hoping U.S. grandfather tunes in to Miss World

Japan beauty hoping U.S. grandfather tunes in to Miss World

CHATAN, Japan - From left to right, Elza Sasaki, Miss World Japan 2009, her grandmother Chiyoko Inafuku, and her mother Tammy Sasaki pose for a Kyodo photographer at the beach in the town of Chatan near Inafuku's home in Uruma in Okinawa Prefecture on Aug. 12. (Kyodo)

Japan hopeful Kikuchi eyes pitching in U.S.

Japan hopeful Kikuchi eyes pitching in U.S.

TOKYO, Japan - Yusei Kikuchi, ace pitcher of Hanamaki Higashi High School, pitches during a game at Koshien Stadium in Hyogo Prefecture on Aug. 12, 2009. Kikuchi, who threw the fastest ball as a high-school lefty at 154 kilometers in August, said on Sept. 8, 2009 that he wants to leave open the option of signing with a U.S. major league club without playing professional baseball in Japan. (Kyodo)