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Sawa holds football clinic for children

Homare Sawa (C, L), a member of the 2011 Women's World Cup-winning Japan football team, dribbles the ball during a clinic for elementary school girls at Kashima Stadium in Kashima in Ibaraki Prefecture, eastern Japan, on July 8, 2023.

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Japan footballer Sawa commended for playing 300 matches

TOKYO, Japan - Veteran women's soccer midfielder Homare Sawa (R) of INAC Kobe Leonessa gets a bouquet of flowers along with a special prize for having competed in 300 matches in her career at a Nadeshiko League annual award ceremony at a Tokyo hotel on Nov. 25, 2014.

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JAL begins mileage program blitz to fund athlete groups

TOKYO, Japan - Japan Airlines Co. President Yoshiharu Ueki (R, back row) and Japanese women's national football team member Homare Sawa (L, back row) pose with others in Tokyo on June 9, 2014, at the start of JAL's athlete support campaign. In the blitz, the company contributes the same amount of money as mileage point donations by JAL mileage program members to help finance athlete organizations.

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Japan beat China in Women's Asian Cup semifinal

HO CHI MINH CITY, Vietnam - Homare Sawa of Japan celebrates after scoring the opening goal on a header in the second half of a semifinal match against China in the Women's Asian Cup in Ho Chi Minh City on May 22, 2014. Japan beat China 2-1.

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Japan beat China in Women's Asian Cup semifinal

HO CHI MINH CITY, Vietnam - Homare Sawa (R) of Japan scores the opening goal on a header in the second half of a semifinal match against China in the Women's Asian Cup in Ho Chi Minh City on May 22, 2014. Japan beat China 2-1.

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Japan beat China in Women's Asian Cup semifinal

HO CHI MINH CITY, Vietnam - Homare Sawa (front) of Japan celebrates after scoring the opening goal on a header in the second half of a semifinal match against China in the Women's Asian Cup in Ho Chi Minh City on May 22, 2014. Japan beat China 2-1.

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Soccer's Sawa plays at charity futsal match

TOKYO, Japan - Japanese professional soccer player Homare Sawa plays in a charity futsal game to aid the recovery from the 2011 earthquake disaster at a gymnasium in Fuchu, Tokyo, on Jan. 20, 2014.

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IOC inspections in Tokyo

TOKYO, Japan - Women's soccer player Homare Sawa holds a press conference at a Tokyo hotel on March 4, 2013, after giving a presentation to the International Olympic Committee's Evaluation Commission. The commission kicked off four days of inspections in the Japanese capital in the process of the selection of the city to host the 2020 Summer Olympics.

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IOC inspections in Tokyo

TOKYO, Japan - Women's soccer player Homare Sawa holds a press conference at a Tokyo hotel on March 4, 2013, after giving a presentation to the International Olympic Committee's Evaluation Commission. The commission kicked off four days of inspections in the Japanese capital in the process of the selection of the city to host the 2020 Summer Olympics.

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Tokyo's Olympics bid

LONDON, Britain - Tokyo Gov. Naoki Inose (C) holds a press conference in London on Jan. 10, 2013, to make a pitch for the Japanese capital's bid to host the 2020 Summer Olympics. At left is Japan Olympic Committee Chairman Tsunekazu Takeda and at right is Japan women's soccer star Homare Sawa.

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Tokyo 2020 ambassadors present candidature file to IOC

LAUSANNE, Switzerland - Masato Mizuno (L), the CEO of the Tokyo 2020 Bid Committee, and Olympic silver medal-winning soccer player Homare Sawa (R) pose for photos in front of the International Olympic Committee headquarters in Lausanne, Switzerland, on Jan. 7, 2013, after presenting the Tokyo 2020 Bid Committee's candidature file to the IOC. The file includes the details of how a city will prepare for and manage all aspects of the Games.

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Tokyo 2020 ambassadors present candidature file to IOC

LAUSANNE, Switzerland - Masato Mizuno (L), the CEO of the Tokyo 2020 Bid Committee, and Olympic silver medal-winning soccer player Homare Sawa (R), meet the press in front of the International Olympic Committee headquarters in Lausanne, Switzerland, on Jan. 7, 2013, ahead of presenting the Tokyo 2020 Bid Committee's candidature file to the IOC. The file includes the details of how a city will prepare for and manage all aspects of the Games.

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Sawa, Tokyo 2020 envoys depart for Switzerland

NARITA, Japan - (From L to R) Olympic silver medal-winning women's soccer player Homare Sawa, Paralympic swimmer Takayuki Suzuki and Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games bid committee CEO Masato Mizuno wave at Narita airport on Jan. 6, 2013, before departing for Lausanne, Switzerland, where they will present the International Olympic Committee with Tokyo's candidature file.

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Sawa, Tokyo 2020 envoys depart for Switzerland

NARITA, Japan - Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games bid committee CEO Masato Mizuno (front) and Olympic silver medal-winning women's soccer player Homare Sawa wave at Narita airport on Jan. 6, 2013, before departing for Lausanne, Switzerland, where they will present the International Olympic Committee with Tokyo's candidature file.

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PM Noda meets Olympic athletes

TOKYO, Japan - Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda (C) poses for a photo with Homare Sawa (L), a star of Japan's women's soccer team, and three-time champion wrestler Saori Yoshida, as the government honors Japan's Olympic athletes at the prime minister's office in Tokyo on Aug. 20, 2012. (Pool photo)

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Nadeshiko return to Japan after winning silver

NARITA, Japan - Homare Sawa (front) and other members of the Japan national women's soccer team, nicknamed "Nadeshiko Japan," arrive at Narita airport on Aug. 11, 2012, from London where they won the silver medal at the London Olympics.

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U.S. win gold in Olympic women's soccer

LONDON, Britain - Japan's Homare Sawa (L front) and Abby Wambach (R front) of the United States are pictured together after the women's soccer final at the 2012 London Olympics at Wembley Stadium in London on Aug. 9, 2012. The United States beat Japan 2-1 and won gold while Japan took silver.

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U.S. win gold in women's soccer

LONDON, Britain - Japan's Homare Sawa (C) attempts to head the ball during the second half of the women's soccer final at Wembley Stadium at the 2012 London Olympics on Aug. 9, 2012. At right is Carli Lloyd of the United States. The United States beat Japan 2-1.

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U.S. win gold in women's soccer

LONDON, Britain - Japan's Yuki Ogimi (far right) runs in celebration after scoring a goal against the United States during the second half of the women's soccer final at Wembley Stadium at the 2012 London Olympics on Aug. 9, 2012. At second from right is Japan's Homare Sawa. The United States beat Japan 2-1.

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U.S. win gold in women's soccer

LONDON, Britain - Japan's Yuki Ogimi (R) scores a goal against the United States during the second half of the women's soccer final at Wembley Stadium at the 2012 London Olympics on Aug. 9, 2012. At center is Japan's Homare Sawa and at left is Kelley O'hara of the United States. The United States beat Japan 2-1.

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U.S. win gold in women's soccer

LONDON, Britain - Japan's Homare Sawa (R) vies for the ball with Abby Wambach of the United States during the first half of the women's soccer final at Wembley Stadium at the 2012 London Olympics on Aug. 9, 2012. The United States beat Japan 2-1.

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U.S. win gold in women's soccer

LONDON, Britain - Japan's Homare Sawa (L) vies for the ball with Carli Lloyd of the United States during the first half of the women's soccer final at Wembley Stadium at the 2012 London Olympics on Aug. 9, 2012. The United States beat Japan 2-1.

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Nadeshiko Japan reach Olympic semis

CARDIFF, Wales - Japan's Homare Sawa (2nd from R, 10) celebrates after beating Brazil 2-0 in a women's soccer quarterfinal match at Millennium Stadium at the 2012 London Olympics on Aug. 3, 2012. Seen in 2nd from left is Brazil's Marta.

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Nadeshiko Japan reach Olympic semis

CARDIFF, Wales - Japan's Homare Sawa (R) hugs Brazil's star player Marta after their women's soccer quarterfinal match at Millennium Stadium at the 2012 London Olympics on Aug. 3, 2012. Japan beat Brazil 2-0 and advanced to the semifinals.

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Nadeshiko Japan reach Olympic semis

CARDIFF, Wales - Japan's Homare Sawa (front) passes the ball during the second half of a women's soccer quarterfinal match against Brazil at Millennium Stadium at the 2012 London Olympics on Aug. 3, 2012. Japan beat Brazil 2-0 and advanced to the semifinals.

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Nadeshiko Japan reach Olympic semis

CARDIFF, Wales - Japan's Homare Sawa (L) attempts to head the ball during the first half of a women's soccer quarterfinal match against Brazil at Millennium Stadium at the 2012 London Olympics on Aug. 3, 2012. Japan beat Brazil 2-0 and advanced to the semifinals.

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Nadeshiko Japan reach Olympic semis

CARDIFF, Wales - Japan's Yuki Ogimi (R) celebrates with her teammate Homare Sawa after scoring the team's opening goal during the first half of a women's soccer quarterfinal match against Brazil at Millennium Stadium at the 2012 London Olympics on Aug. 3, 2012. Japan beat Brazil 2-0 and advanced to the semifinals.

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Nadeshiko Japan reach Olympic semis

CARDIFF, Wales - Japan's Homare Sawa (Front R) dribbles with the ball during the first half of a women's soccer quarterfinal match against Brazil at Millennium Stadium at the 2012 London Olympics on Aug. 3, 2012. Japan beat Brazil 2-0 and advanced to the semifinals.

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Nadeshiko Japan reach Olympic semis

CARDIFF, Wales - Japan's Yuki Ogimi (C) celebrates with her teammates Homare Sawa (R) and Mizuho Sakaguchi after scoring the team's opening goal during the first half of a women's soccer quarterfinal match against Brazil at Millennium Stadium at the 2012 London Olympics on Aug. 3, 2012. Japan beat Brazil 2-0 and advanced to the semifinals.

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Nadeshiko Japan reach Olympic semis

CARDIFF, Wales - Japan's Homare Sawa (R) fights for the ball against Brazil's Marta (C) during the first half of a women's soccer quarterfinal match at Millennium Stadium at the 2012 London Olympics on Aug. 3, 2012. Japan beat Brazil 2-0 and advanced to the semifinals.

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Japan's Sawa shakes hands with Britain's Giggs

CARDIFF, Wales - Japan's Homare Sawa (L) shakes hands with Britain's national soccer team captain Ryan Giggs after finishing practice for the women's soccer quarterfinals at the 2012 London Olympics in Cardiff on Aug. 2, 2012.

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Japan held by S. Africa, finish 2nd in Group F

CARDIFF, Wales - Japan's Homare Sawa (L) exchanges high-fives with Kyoko Yano (12) and her teammates after a women's soccer Group F match against South Africa at Millennium Stadium at the 2012 London Olympics on July 31, 2012. Japan and South Africa drew 0-0. Sawa did not play the day's match.

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Japan held by Swedes in Olympic stalemate

COVENTRY, England - Homare Sawa (L) of Japan has a shot blocked by the Sweden goalkeeper during the second half of their Group F Women's Olympic soccer game at the City of Coventry Stadium on July 28, 2012.

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Japan beat Canada in Olympic women's soccer opener

COVENTRY, England - Japan's Homare Sawa (C) falls as she vies for the ball with a Canadian player during the second half of their Olympic women's soccer Group F opener at the City of Coventry Stadium on July 25, 2012. Japan beat Canada 2-1.

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Japan beat Canada in Olympic women's soccer opener

COVENTRY, England - Japan's Homare Sawa (Front) smiles after beating Canada 2-1 in an Olympic women's soccer Group F opener at the City of Coventry Stadium on July 25, 2012.

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Japan beat Canada in Olympic women's soccer opener

COVENTRY, England - Japan national soccer team players (from L) Nahomi Kawasumi, Homare Sawa and goalkeeper Ayumi Kaihori wave to fans after beating Canada 2-1 in an Olympic women's soccer Group F opener at the City of Coventry Stadium on July 25, 2012.

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Japan beat Canada in Olympic women's soccer opener

COVENTRY, England - Japan's Homare Sawa (2nd from L) celebrates with a Japan's captain Ai Miyama (2nd from R) after beating Canada 2-1 in an Olympic women's soccer Group F opener at the City of Coventry Stadium on July 25, 2012.

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Japan beat Canada in Olympic women's soccer opener

COVENTRY, England - Japan's Homare Sawa (C) vies for the ball during the first half of an Olympic women's soccer Group F opener against Canada at the City of Coventry Stadium on July 25, 2012. Japan beat Canada 2-1.

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Japan beat Canada in Olympic women's soccer opener

COVENTRY, England - Japan's Homare Sawa (L) dribbles her way during the first half of an Olympic women's soccer Group F opener against Canada at the City of Coventry Stadium on July 25, 2012. Japan beat Canada 2-1.

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Japan beat Canada in Olympic women's soccer opener

COVENTRY, England - Japan's Homare Sawa (C) vies for the ball during the first half of an Olympic women's soccer Group F opener against Canada at the City of Coventry Stadium on July 25, 2012. Japan beat Canada 2-1.

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Japan beat Canada in Olympic women's soccer opener

COVENTRY, England - Japan's Homare Sawa (R) passes the ball during the first half of an Olympic women's soccer Group F opener against Canada at the City of Coventry Stadium on July 25, 2012. Japan beat Canada 2-1.

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Nadeshiko Japan beat Australia in Olympic sendoff

TOKYO, Japan - Women's World Player of the Year Homare Sawa (10) of Japan's national women's soccer team celebrates with teammates Yuki Ogimi (L), Kyoko Yano (2nd from L), Saki Kumagai (3rd from R) and Mizuho Sakaguchi (2nd from R), after scoring the team's third goal in the second half of an Olympic sendoff match against Australia at National Stadium in Tokyo on July 11, 2012. Japan won 3-0.

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Japan lose 1-4 to U.S. in women's soccer Olympic warm-up

HALMSTAD, Sweden - Abby Wambach (L) celebrates after scoring the second goal for the United States during the first half of a game in an exhibition tournament in Halmstad, Sweden, on June 18, 2012. 2nd from L is Alex Morgan. Japan lost to the United States 1-4. Seen in front is Japan's Homare Sawa.

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Sawa returns to action

FUKUOKA, Japan - Homare Sawa (R) plays after coming off the bench in the 72nd minute of INAC Kobe Leonessa's 7-0 away thrashing of Fukuoka J.Anclas in Fukuoka on April 22, 2012. The women's World Player of the Year overcame a bout with vertigo, returning to the pitch for the first time in almost two months in the Japanese Nadeshiko League.

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Japan coach Sasaki before U.S., Brazil friendlies

TOKYO, Japan - Norio Sasaki, Japan national women's soccer team coach, speaks during a news conference in Tokyo on March 23, 2012. Sasaki named a 23-woman squad for the three-nation Kirin Challenge Cup to meet the United States and Brazil but was forced to leave out midfielder Homare Sawa as the Women's World Player of the Year has not yet made a full recovery from vertigo.

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Japan beat Norway in Algarve Cup

PARCHAL, Portugal - FIFA Women's World Player of the Year Homare Sawa (far R) and her Japan teammates exchange high-fives after earning a come-from-behind 2-1 win over Norway in their opening game of the Algarve Cup in Parchal, Portugal, on Feb. 29, 2012.

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'Nadeshiko' off to Portugal

NARITA, Japan - Homare Sawa (R) and Shinobu Ono, members of the Japanese women's national soccer team dubbed ''Nadeshiko Japan,'' arrive at Narita airport, near Tokyo, on Feb. 26, 2012, to leave for Portugal to take part in the Algarve Cup.

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Kyokawa, a new Nadeshiko

SENDAI, Japan - Mai Kyokawa, an 18-year-old striker at Tokiwagi Gakuen High School in Sendai, Miyagi Prefecture, shows her soccer ball control skills before reporters in Sendai on Feb. 20, 2012, after she was selected as a member of the Japan national women's soccer team, nicknamed Nadeshiko, for the first time. The Japan Football Association announced the same day that injured FIFA Women's World Player of the Year Homare Sawa and Kyokawa were among a 21-member squad for the upcoming Algarve Cup in Portugal.

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Kyokawa, a new Nadeshiko

SENDAI, Japan - Mai Kyokawa, an 18-year-old striker at Tokiwagi Gakuen High School in Sendai, Miyagi Prefecture, holds a press conference in Sendai on Feb. 20, 2012, after she was selected as a member of the Japan national women's soccer team, nicknamed Nadeshiko, for the first time. The Japan Football Association announced the same day that injured FIFA Women's World Player of the Year Homare Sawa and Kyokawa were among a 21-member squad for the upcoming Algarve Cup in Portugal.

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Sawa returns from Spain

KANSAI AIRPORT, Japan - Soccer player Homare Sawa (R), captain of the Japan women's national team and FIFA Women's World Player of the Year, arrives at Kansai International Airport on Feb. 8, 2012 after a trip by her team INAC Kobe Leonessa to Spain.