Baseball: Ichiro Suzuki at baseball event for children

Seattle Mariners outfielder Ichiro Suzuki (R) attends the award ceremony for the "Ichiro Cup" baseball tournament for school kids in his hometown Toyoyama, Aichi Prefecture, central Japan, with his father Nobuyuki, on Dec. 23, 2004.

Asashoryu begins practice for New Year sumo

TOKYO, Japan - Yokozuna Asashoryu (R), who won five Emperor's Cup titles in 2004, begins practice on Dec. 24 for the upcoming New Year Grand Sumo Tournament at his stable in Tokyo.

Nordic combined skier Hannu Manninen of Finland

TOKYO, Japan - This November 2009 file photo shows Hannu Manninen of Finland competing in the Nordic combined World Cup event in Kuusamo, Finland. Manninen, who retired in 2008 and returned for the pre-Olympic season has four consecutive titles since the 2003-2004 World Cup.

Japan's snowboarders test Olympic course

TURIN, Italy - Japan's Soko Yamaoka, the overall women's World Cup champion in the 2003-2004 season, practices on the Bardonecchia halfpipe track on Feb. 7. Japanese halfpipe snowboarders got the feel of Turin's extended 150-meter Olympic course with an official practice session head of the upcoming Winter Games.

Henao gives training to quake-affected Japanese students

YOKOHAMA, Japan - Juan Carlos Henao (C), goalkeeper with Colombia's Once Caldas, trains with students affected by the big earthquakes in Niigata in October 2004 and in the Hanshin region in January 1995 at International Stadium Yokoyama on Dec. 11. Henao is visiting Japan for the last Toyota Cup match against Portugal's FC Porto, on Dec. 12 at the stadium.

Tommy Jones wins Japan Cup bowling

YOKOHAMA, Japan - Tommy Jones holds up his trophy at Shin Yokohama Prince Hotel Bowling Center in Yokohama on Sept. 20 after winning the Japan Cup 2004 bowling, his first career Professional Bowlers Association Tour title.

(2)Japan secures World Group spot in 2004 Fed Cup

GIFU, Japan - Ai Sugiyama (L) and Shinobu Asagoe (R) celebrate after securing Japan a berth in 2004 Fed Cup at Gifu Memorial Center in Gifu Prefecture on July 20. Sugiyama lost to her Swedish opponent in the day's first Fed Cup singles match, but Shinobu Asagoe prevailed for Japan's third win in the World Group playoff against Sweden.

(1)Japan secures World Group spot in 2004 Fed Cup

GIFU, Japan - Shinobu Asagoe of Japan throws up arms in joy after defeating Hanna Nooni of Sweden 6-3, 7-6 (8-6) in the World Group playoff at Gifu Memorial Center in Gifu Prefecture on July 20. Her victory secured Japan a berth in 2004 Fed Cup.

Tommy Jones wins Japan Cup bowling

YOKOHAMA, Japan - Tommy Jones holds up his trophy at Shin Yokohama Prince Hotel Bowling Center in Yokohama on Sept. 20 after winning the Japan Cup 2004 bowling, his first career Professional Bowlers Association Tour title. (Kyodo)

Takeshi Okada and Guido Buchwald TOKYO, Japan - Yokohama Marinos manager Takeshi Okada (L) and Urawa Red Diamonds manager Guido Buchwald hold the trophy cup of 2004 J-League Suntory Championship at a press conference at the Japan Football Association in Tokyo's Bunkyo Ward. The photo was taken on Nov. 29, 2004. (Kyodo)

Henao gives training to quake-affected Japanese students

YOKOHAMA, Japan - Juan Carlos Henao (C), goalkeeper with Colombia's Once Caldas, trains with students affected by the big earthquakes in Niigata in October 2004 and in the Hanshin region in January 1995 at International Stadium Yokoyama on Dec. 11. Henao is visiting Japan for the last Toyota Cup match against Portugal's FC Porto, on Dec. 12 at the stadium. (Kyodo)

Asashoryu begins practice for New Year sumo

TOKYO, Japan - Yokozuna Asashoryu (R), who won five Emperor's Cup titles in 2004, begins practice on Dec. 24 for the upcoming New Year Grand Sumo Tournament at his stable in Tokyo. (Kyodo)

Nordic combined skier Hannu Manninen of Finland

TOKYO, Japan - This November 2009 file photo shows Hannu Manninen of Finland competing in the Nordic combined World Cup event in Kuusamo, Finland. Manninen, who retired in 2008 and returned for the pre-Olympic season has four consecutive titles since the 2003-2004 World Cup. (Kyodo)

Rugby: Japan to open RWC 2019 against Europe 1 in Tokyo

Koji Murofushi (L), the 2004 Olympic hammer throw champion, announces the full 48-game schedule for the 2019 Rugby World Cup during a ceremony at a hotel in Tokyo on Nov. 2, 2017. Japan, the host country, will take on "Europe 1" -- the top team from European qualifying, most likely Romania -- in the opening game of the event. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

(2)Japan secures World Group spot in 2004 Fed Cup

GIFU, Japan - Ai Sugiyama (L) and Shinobu Asagoe (R) celebrate after securing Japan a berth in 2004 Fed Cup at Gifu Memorial Center in Gifu Prefecture on July 20. Sugiyama lost to her Swedish opponent in the day's first Fed Cup singles match, but Shinobu Asagoe prevailed for Japan's third win in the World Group playoff against Sweden. (Kyodo)

(1)Japan secures World Group spot in 2004 Fed Cup

GIFU, Japan - Shinobu Asagoe of Japan throws up arms in joy after defeating Hanna Nooni of Sweden 6-3, 7-6 (8-6) in the World Group playoff at Gifu Memorial Center in Gifu Prefecture on July 20. Her victory secured Japan a berth in 2004 Fed Cup. (Kyodo)