(PARIS2024) FRANCE-PARIS-OLY-SWIMMING

(PARIS2024) FRANCE-PARIS-OLY-SWIMMING

(240730) -- PARIS, July 30, 2024 Photo by Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM) -- Matsumoto Katsuhiro of team Japan competes during Men's 4x200m Freestyle Relay Final of swimming at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France, July 30, 2024. Photo by Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM/Luo Yuan)

[Breaking News]Olympics Sapporo left out as IOC signals 2030, 2034 games hosts

TOKYO, Nov. 30 Kyodo -The International Olympic Committee on Wednesday named Salt Lake City, Utah, as its preferred host for the 2034 Winter Olympics, extinguishing Sapporo's hopes of hosting the games.Sapporo Mayor Katsuhiro Akimoto is considering formulating a policy about a potential 2038 bid by the end of this year.

Katsuhiro Kegago, Mazda's President Briefing

Katsuhiro Kegago, Mazda's President Briefing

Katsuhiro Kegago, Mazda's President Briefing at Japan Mobility Show 2023=Date:October 25, 2023, Place:Tokyo

Katsuhiro Kegago, Mazda's President Briefing

Katsuhiro Kegago, Mazda's President Briefing

Katsuhiro Kegago, Mazda's President Briefing at Japan Mobility Show 2023=Date:October 25, 2023, Place:Tokyo

Katsuhiro Kegago, Mazda's President Briefing

Katsuhiro Kegago, Mazda's President Briefing

Katsuhiro Kegago, Mazda's President Briefing at Japan Mobility Show 2023=Date:October 25, 2023, Place:Tokyo

Katsuhiro Kegago, Mazda's President Briefing

Katsuhiro Kegago, Mazda's President Briefing

Katsuhiro Kegago, Mazda's President Briefing at Japan Mobility Show 2023=Date:October 25, 2023, Place:Tokyo

Katsuhiro Kegago, Mazda's President Briefing

Katsuhiro Kegago, Mazda's President Briefing

Katsuhiro Kegago, Mazda's President Briefing at Japan Mobility Show 2023=Date:October 25, 2023, Place:Tokyo

Mazda "Iconic SP”

Mazda "Iconic SP”

Mazda President Katsuhiro Kago unveils the Mazda Iconic SP at Japan Mobility Show 2023=Date:October 29, 2023, Place:Tokyo

Sapporo drops bid for 2030 Winter Games

TOKYO, Japan, Oct. 11 Kyodo - Sapporo Mayor Katsuhiro Akimoto (L) and Japanese Olympic Committee President Yasuhiro Yamashita hold a press conference in Tokyo on Oct. 11, 2023, announcing the northern Japanese city's decision to drop out of the race to host the 2030 Winter Olympics and Paralympics. (Kyodo)

Sapporo drops bid for 2030 Winter Games

Sapporo drops bid for 2030 Winter Games

Sapporo Mayor Katsuhiro Akimoto speaks during a press conference held jointly with Japanese Olympic Committee President Yasuhiro Yamashita in Tokyo on Oct. 11, 2023, announcing the northern Japanese city's decision to drop out of the race to host the 2030 Winter Olympics and Paralympics.

Sapporo drops bid for 2030 Winter Games

Sapporo drops bid for 2030 Winter Games

Japanese Olympic Committee President Yasuhiro Yamashita speaks during a press conference held jointly with Sapporo Mayor Katsuhiro Akimoto in Tokyo on Oct. 11, 2023, announcing the northern Japanese city's decision to drop out of the race to host the 2030 Winter Olympics and Paralympics.

Sapporo drops bid for 2030 Winter Games

Sapporo drops bid for 2030 Winter Games

Sapporo Mayor Katsuhiro Akimoto (L) and Japanese Olympic Committee President Yasuhiro Yamashita hold a press conference in Tokyo on Oct. 11, 2023, announcing the northern Japanese city's decision to drop out of the race to host the 2030 Winter Olympics and Paralympics.

Sapporo drops bid for 2030 Winter Games

Sapporo drops bid for 2030 Winter Games

Sapporo Mayor Katsuhiro Akimoto (L) and Japanese Olympic Committee President Yasuhiro Yamashita hold a press conference in Tokyo on Oct. 11, 2023, announcing the northern Japanese city's decision to drop out of the race to host the 2030 Winter Olympics and Paralympics.

Sapporo to withdraw 2030 Olympic bid

Sapporo to withdraw 2030 Olympic bid

Sapporo Mayor Katsuhiro Akimoto answers questions from reporters at the city hall in the northern Japan prefecture of Hokkaido on Oct. 6, 2023, following media reports that Sapporo is set to abandon its bid to host the 2030 Winter Olympics.

Sapporo to withdraw 2030 Olympic bid

Sapporo to withdraw 2030 Olympic bid

Sapporo Mayor Katsuhiro Akimoto answers questions from reporters at the city hall in the northern Japan prefecture of Hokkaido on Oct. 6, 2023, following media reports that Sapporo is set to abandon its bid to host the 2030 Winter Olympics.

Asian Games: Swimming

Asian Games: Swimming

Japan's Katsuhiro Matsumoto swims in the second leg of the men's 4x100-meter freestyle relay final at the Asian Games in Hangzhou, China, on Sept. 28, 2023.

Asian Games: Swimming

Asian Games: Swimming

(From L) Japanese swimmers Tomonobu Gomi, Taikan Tanaka, Katsuhiro Matsumoto and Katsumi Nakamura celebrate during a medal ceremony after finishing third in the men's 4x100-meter freestyle relay at the Asian Games in Hangzhou, China, on Sept. 28, 2023.

Asian Games: Swimming

Asian Games: Swimming

(From L) Japanese swimmers Tomonobu Gomi, Taikan Tanaka, Katsuhiro Matsumoto and Katsumi Nakamura attend a medal ceremony after finishing third in the men's 4x100-meter freestyle relay at the Asian Games in Hangzhou, China, on Sept. 28, 2023.

Asian Games: Swimming

Asian Games: Swimming

(From L) Japanese swimmers Katsuhiro Matsumoto, Katsumi Nakamura, Tomonobu Gomi and Taikan Tanaka pose for photos after winning bronze in the men's 4x100-meter freestyle relay at the Asian Games in Hangzhou, China, on Sept. 28, 2023.

(SP)CHINA-HANGZHOU-ASIAN GAMES-SWIMMING (CN)

(SP)CHINA-HANGZHOU-ASIAN GAMES-SWIMMING (CN)

(230927) -- HANGZHOU, Sept. 27, 2023 (Xinhua) -- Gold medalist Matsumoto Katsuhiro (C) of Japan, silver medalist Wang Changhao (L) of China, bronze medalist Adilbek Mussin of Kazakhstan attend the awarding ceremony for the Men's 100m Butterfly Final of Swimming at the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, east China's Zhejiang Province, Sept. 27, 2023. (Xinhua/Huang Zongzhi)

(SP)CHINA-HANGZHOU-ASIAN GAMES-SWIMMING (CN)

(SP)CHINA-HANGZHOU-ASIAN GAMES-SWIMMING (CN)

(230927) -- HANGZHOU, Sept. 27, 2023 (Xinhua) -- Gold medalist Matsumoto Katsuhiro (C) of Japan, silver medalist Wang Changhao (L) of China, bronze medalist Adilbek Mussin of Kazakhstan attend the awarding ceremony for the Men's 100m Butterfly Final of Swimming at the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, east China's Zhejiang Province, Sept. 27, 2023. (Xinhua/Huang Zongzhi)

Asian Games: Swimming

Asian Games: Swimming

Katsuhiro Matsumoto of Japan swims en route to winning the men's 100-meter butterfly final at the Asian Games in Hangzhou, China, on Sept. 27, 2023.

Asian Games: Swimming

Asian Games: Swimming

Katsuhiro Matsumoto of Japan swims en route to winning the men's 100-meter butterfly final at the Asian Games in Hangzhou, China, on Sept. 27, 2023.

Asian Games: Swimming

Asian Games: Swimming

Katsuhiro Matsumoto of Japan swims en route to winning the men's 100-meter butterfly final at the Asian Games in Hangzhou, China, on Sept. 27, 2023.

Asian Games: Swimming

Asian Games: Swimming

Katsuhiro Matsumoto of Japan swims en route to winning the men's 100-meter butterfly final at the Asian Games in Hangzhou, China, on Sept. 27, 2023.

Asian Games: Swimming

Asian Games: Swimming

Japanese swimmer Katsuhiro Matsumoto poses with his gold medal after winning the men's 100-meter butterfly event at the Asian Games in Hangzhou, China, on Sept. 27, 2023.

Asian Games: Swimming

Asian Games: Swimming

(From L) Japan's Katsumi Nakamura, Katsuhiro Matsumoto, Yuya Hinomoto and Ryosuke Irie celebrates on the podium after winning bronze in the men's 4x100-meter medley relay at the Asian Games in Hangzhou, China, on Sept. 26, 2023.

Asian Games: Swimming

Asian Games: Swimming

(From L) Japan's Ryosuke Irie, Yuya Hinomoto, Katsuhiro Matsumoto and Katsumi Nakamura pose for a photo after winning bronze in the men's 4x100-meter medley relay at the Asian Games in Hangzhou, China, on Sept. 26, 2023.

Sapporo mayor Akimoto

Sapporo mayor Akimoto

Sapporo Mayor Katsuhiro Akimoto speaks at a press conference in the northern Japan city in Hokkaido on April 12, 2023.

Sapporo mayor Akimoto

Sapporo mayor Akimoto

Sapporo Mayor Katsuhiro Akimoto speaks at a press conference in the northern Japan city in Hokkaido on April 12, 2023.

Miyazaki wins Annie Award

Miyazaki wins Annie Award

TOKYO, Japan - Combination file photo shows Japanese animation director Hayao Miyazaki (L), and cartoonist and film director Katsuhiro Otomo. Miyazaki won the Annie Award for Writing in an Animated Feature Production for his screenplay for "The Wind Rises," the organizer of the event, known as the Academy Award for animation, said Feb. 1, 2014. Otomo was given the Winsor McCay Award at the event.

Japanese winners of French orders of arts and letters toast

Japanese winners of French orders of arts and letters toast

TOKYO, Japan - Japanese winners of the orders of arts and letters from France toast in Tokyo on Dec. 12, 2014. From L are author Keichiro Hirano, manga artist Katsuhiro Otomo, Paul-Bertrand Barets of the French government, French literature scholar Akira Mizubayashi and children's book author Kazuo Iwamura.

Manga artist Otomo receives 'officier' order from France

Manga artist Otomo receives 'officier' order from France

TOKYO, Japan - Japanese manga artist Katsuhiro Otomo (L) shakes hands with Paul-Bertrand Barets of the French government after receiving an "officier" of the Order of Arts and Letters from France on Dec. 12, 2014, in Tokyo.

Shimane-Vladivostok liner cargo shipping route

Shimane-Vladivostok liner cargo shipping route

MATSUE, Japan - Dmitriy Kurdakov (L) of Russian shipping company Fesco Transportation Group and Katsuhiro Takahashi, president of Japanese trading firm LIB Corp., shake hands at the Shimane prefectural government hall in Matsue, Shimane Prefecture, on Nov. 19, 2012. The two companies agreed to open a new regular cargo shipping link between Hamada port in Shimane Prefecture and Vladivostok in Russia's Far East.

IWC meets on commercial whaling

IWC meets on commercial whaling

AGADIR, Morocco - Japanese delegation head Yasue Funayama (L), Japanese parliamentary secretary for agriculture, forestry and fisheries, and Fisheries Agency head Katsuhiro Machida attend an annual meeting of the International Whaling Commission in Agadir, Morocco, on June 23, 2010.

Japan eyes expanding food labeling to restore consumer confidence

Japan eyes expanding food labeling to restore consumer confidence

TOKYO, Japan - Katsuhiro Machida, chief of the agriculture ministry's consumer safety bureau, address the inaugural meeting of a panel designed to consider an expansion of the food labeling system and other measures to restore consumer confidence at his ministry on July 10. The panel was launched following a recent false-labeling scandal involving a meat processor.

Ex-Seibu pitcher Maeda inks deal with China team

Ex-Seibu pitcher Maeda inks deal with China team

SHANGHAI, China - Former Seibu Lions right-hander Katsuhiro Maeda (in file photo) signed a deal worth an estimated 4,000 yuan per month (about 52,000 yen) on March 16 to play for the Shanghai Eagles starting this season, baseball sources said March 17. Maeda will be the first Japanese ever to play in the China Baseball League (CBL) when he debuts in the season opener April 2.

Japanese men win 1st Asian Games gold in beach volleyball

Japanese men win 1st Asian Games gold in beach volleyball

PUSAN, South Korea - Katsuhiro Shiratori (L) and Satoshi Watanabe celebrate after winning in straight sets over Indonesia's Agus Salim and Koko Prasetyo Darkuncoro to snare Japan's first Asian Games gold medal in men's beach volleyball at Haeundae Beach on Oct. 4. (Asian Games)

Maeda at opening game

Maeda at opening game

Katsuhiro MAEDA makes his first appearance in Yankee uniform at Yankees' opening game on March 5, 1997 against Phillies.

Tokyo Olympics: Beach Volleyball

Tokyo Olympics: Beach Volleyball

Japan's Yusuke Ishijima (R) pours cold water on his feet, alongside teammate Katsuhiro Shiratori, during pool play of the men's beach volleyball at the Tokyo Olympics on July 25, 2021, at Shiokaze Park.

Japan eyes expanding food labeling to restore consumer confidenc

Japan eyes expanding food labeling to restore consumer confidenc

TOKYO, Japan - Katsuhiro Machida, chief of the agriculture ministry's consumer safety bureau, address the inaugural meeting of a panel designed to consider an expansion of the food labeling system and other measures to restore consumer confidence at his ministry on July 10. The panel was launched following a recent false-labeling scandal involving a meat processor. (Kyodo)

Police arrest trader suspected of illegal waste export

Police arrest trader suspected of illegal waste export

NARITA, Japan - Katsuhiro Mizuguchi, 63, arrested in connection with the shipment of industrial waste to the Philippines in July and October last year, is escorted by police upon arrival at Narita airport from Cambodia on Sept. 13.

Hush! (2001)

Hush! (2001)

Seiichi Tanabe Characters: Katsuhiro Kurita Film: Hush! (2001) Director: Ryosuke Hashiguchi 09 September 2001 Date: 09 September 2001

Akira (1988)

Akira (1988)

Shotaro Kaneda Film: Akira (1988) Director: Katsuhiro Otomo 16 July 1988 Date: 16 July 1988

Akira (1988)

Akira (1988)

Shotaro Kaneda Film: Akira (1986) Director: Katsuhiro Otomo 16 July 1988 Date: 16 July 1988

Japanese manga artist Otomo wins 1st prize at Int'l Comics Fest

Japanese manga artist Otomo wins 1st prize at Int'l Comics Fest

Katsuhiro Otomo, creator of manga Akira, shown in this undated photo, becomes the first Japanese winner of the Angouleme International Comics Festival's Grand Prix. The major comic festival in France opened on Jan. 29, 2015. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Sapporo seeks Japan gov't support for bringing 2026 Olympics

Sapporo seeks Japan gov't support for bringing 2026 Olympics

Hokkaido Gov. Harumi Takahashi (C) hands a written request to Hiroshi Hase (R), Japan's minister of education, culture, sports, science and technology, in Tokyo on Dec. 11, 2015, calling for the central government's support for bringing the 2026 Winter Olympics to Sapporo, alongside Katsuhiro Akimoto, mayor of the Hokkaido capital. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Sapporo mayor stands next to 2017 Asian Winter Games mascot

Sapporo mayor stands next to 2017 Asian Winter Games mascot

Sapporo Mayor Katsuhiro Akimoto (R) stands next to Ezomon, the mascot of the 2017 Sapporo Asian Winter Games, on June 5, 2015, in Sapporo. The Games will be held in Obihiro and Sapporo in Hokkaido. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

DPJ-backed Akimoto defeats LDP-backed candidate in Sapporo

DPJ-backed Akimoto defeats LDP-backed candidate in Sapporo

Nana Honma, a former central government official backed by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's Liberal Democratic Party, meets with reporters after she was defeated in the Sapporo mayoral race by former Sapporo Deputy Mayor Katsuhiro Akimoto on April 12, 2015. Akimoto was backed by the Democratic Party of Japan and the Japan Innovation Party. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

DPJ-backed Akimoto defeats LDP-backed candidate in Sapporo

DPJ-backed Akimoto defeats LDP-backed candidate in Sapporo

Former Sapporo Deputy Mayor Katsuhiro Akimoto (C) celebrates his victory in the Sapporo mayoral race on April 12, 2015. Akimoto, backed by the Democratic Party of Japan and the Japan Innovation Party, was assured of defeating Nana Honma, a former central government official backed by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's Liberal Democratic Party. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo