Nippon Express to appoint Kawai as next president

Nippon Express to appoint Kawai as next president

TOKYO, Japan - Nippon Express Co. Vice President Masanori Kawai (R) speaks at a press conference on April 15 after being named to succeed President Masahiko Okabe (L). Okabe will become chairman with the right to represent the company.

Happonen victorious, Harada sets hill record at STV Cup

Happonen victorious, Harada sets hill record at STV Cup

SAPPORO, Japan - Finnish teenager Janne Happonen (C) wins the STV Cup large hill ski jumping meet in Sapporo on Jan. 13, beating runner-up Takanobu Okabe (L) and third-place Masahiko Harada (R). Harada set a hill record with a mammoth 141-meter leap.

Japanese win team gold medal

Japanese win team gold medal

Japanese skiers respond the cheers of the spectators after winning the gold medal in the Nagano Olympic large hill ski jumping team event Feb. 17 in the central Japan village of Hakuba. From left: Kazuyoshi Funaki, Masahiko Harada, Takanobu Okabe and Hiroya Saito.

Happonen victorious, Harada sets hill record at STV Cup

Happonen victorious, Harada sets hill record at STV Cup

SAPPORO, Japan - Finnish teenager Janne Happonen (C) wins the STV Cup large hill ski jumping meet in Sapporo on Jan. 13, beating runner-up Takanobu Okabe (L) and third-place Masahiko Harada (R). Harada set a hill record with a mammoth 141-meter leap.

Nippon Express to appoint Kawai as next president

Nippon Express to appoint Kawai as next president

TOKYO, Japan - Nippon Express Co. Vice President Masanori Kawai (R) speaks at a press conference on April 15 after being named to succeed President Masahiko Okabe (L). Okabe will become chairman with the right to represent the company. (Kyodo)

Heisei: Nagano Olympics

Heisei: Nagano Olympics

Japanese ski jumpers (from L) Masahiko Harada, Takanobu Okabe, Hiroya Saito and Kazuyoshi Funaki celebrate after winning the team gold medal at the Nagano Olympics in Hakuba, central Japan, on Feb. 17, 1998. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo