Shonan Bellmare to return to J-League 1st division

Shonan Bellmare to return to J-League 1st division

KYOTO, Japan - Shonan Bellmare players and others pose for photos at Nishikyogoku Stadium in Kyoto, western Japan, on Sept. 23, 2014. The team ended the day's J-League Division 2 match against Kyoto Sanga in a 2-2 draw, clinching a spot in the league's first division for the next season.

Bellmare's Shimamura scores equalizer vs Kyoto

Bellmare's Shimamura scores equalizer vs Kyoto

KYOTO, Japan - Tsuyoshi Shimamura of Shonan Bellmare celebrates after scoring the equalizer in the second half of a J-League Division 2 match against Kyoto Sanga at Nishikyogoku Stadium in Kyoto, western Japan, on Sept. 23, 2014. The game ended 2-2.

InterFaith Ekiden in Kyoto

InterFaith Ekiden in Kyoto

KYOTO, Japan - Participants of the InterFaith Ekiden start the road relay from Nishikyogoku Athletic Park in Kyoto, western Japan, on Feb. 16, 2014. The event, involving 40 people of various religions such as Buddhism and Christianity from Japan and Europe, is aimed at praying for world peace and for recovery from the 2011 earthquake and tsunami in eastern Japan.

Footmark plates of Arimori, Takahashi unveiled

Footmark plates of Arimori, Takahashi unveiled

KYOTO, Japan - Yuko Arimori, two-time Japanese Olympic marathon medalist, smiles besides her bronze footmark plate unveiled Jan. 12 at Nishikyogoku athletics stadium in Kyoto in commemoration of the 20th prefectural women's ekiden relay to be held in the city Jan. 13. In the background is a footmark plate of Sydney Olympic gold medalist Naoko Takahashi. Both ran in the ekiden relay in the past.

Rookie Matsuzaka rocked for 8 runs

Rookie Matsuzaka rocked for 8 runs

Seibu Lions rookie pitcher Daisuke Matsuzaka looks toward the outfield after giving up a solo homer to Yomiuri Giants right fielder Yoshinobu Takahashi in the third inning of a preseason exhibition game at Nishikyogoku stadium in Kyoto on March 11. The highly touted rookie was rocked for eight runs on nine hits over four innings as Yomiuri trounced Seibu 10-1.

Footmark plates of Arimori, Takahashi unveiled

Footmark plates of Arimori, Takahashi unveiled

KYOTO, Japan - Yuko Arimori, two-time Japanese Olympic marathon medalist, smiles besides her bronze footmark plate unveiled Jan. 12 at Nishikyogoku athletics stadium in Kyoto in commemoration of the 20th prefectural women's ekiden relay to be held in the city Jan. 13. In the background is a footmark plate of Sydney Olympic gold medalist Naoko Takahashi. Both ran in the ekiden relay in the past.

Shonan Bellmare to return to J-League 1st division

Shonan Bellmare to return to J-League 1st division

KYOTO, Japan - Shonan Bellmare players and others pose for photos at Nishikyogoku Stadium in Kyoto, western Japan, on Sept. 23, 2014. The team ended the day's J-League Division 2 match against Kyoto Sanga in a 2-2 draw, clinching a spot in the league's first division for the next season. (Kyodo)

Bellmare's Shimamura scores equalizer vs Kyoto

Bellmare's Shimamura scores equalizer vs Kyoto

KYOTO, Japan - Tsuyoshi Shimamura of Shonan Bellmare celebrates after scoring the equalizer in the second half of a J-League Division 2 match against Kyoto Sanga at Nishikyogoku Stadium in Kyoto, western Japan, on Sept. 23, 2014. The game ended 2-2. (Kyodo)

Defending champs Suntory steal victory from jaws of defeat

Defending champs Suntory steal victory from jaws of defeat

Kotaro Matsushima (C) of Suntory Sungoliath runs with the ball in the first half of their 32-31 win over Toyota Verblitz in a Japan Rugby Top League game at Nishikyogoku Athletic Stadium in Kyoto on Oct. 15, 2017. Suntory's win left them top of the Red Conference with 38 points, 10 more than Kobe Kobelco Steelers, with Verblitz third on 24. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Defending champs Suntory steal victory from jaws of defeat

Defending champs Suntory steal victory from jaws of defeat

Kosei Ono (R) of Suntory Sungoliath is tackled by Lionel Cronje of Toyota Verblitz during the first half of a Japan Rugby Top League game at Nishikyogoku Athletic Stadium in Kyoto on Oct. 15, 2017. Suntory fought back to beat Toyota 32-31, leaving them top of the Red Conference with 38 points, 10 more than Kobe Kobelco Steelers, with Verblitz third on 24. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Defending champs Suntory steal victory from jaws of defeat

Defending champs Suntory steal victory from jaws of defeat

Koki Hirano (C) of Toyota Verblitz scores a try in the second half of a Japan Top League match against Suntory Sungoliath at Nishikyogoku Athletic Stadium in Kyoto on Oct. 15, 2017. Suntory fought back to beat Toyota 32-31, leaving them top of the Red Conference with 38 points, 10 more than Kobe Kobelco Steelers, with Verblitz third on 24. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Defending champs Suntory steal victory from jaws of defeat

Defending champs Suntory steal victory from jaws of defeat

Daishi Murata (C) scores a try in the second half of Suntory Sungoliath's 32-31 win over Toyota Verblitz in a Japan Top League match at Nishikyogoku Athletic Stadium in Kyoto on Oct. 15, 2017. Suntory's win left them top of the Red Conference with 38 points, 10 more than Kobe Kobelco Steelers, with Verblitz third on 24. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Rookie Matsuzaka rocked for 8 runs

Rookie Matsuzaka rocked for 8 runs

Seibu Lions rookie pitcher Daisuke Matsuzaka looks toward the outfield after giving up a solo homer to Yomiuri Giants right fielder Yoshinobu Takahashi in the third inning of a preseason exhibition game at Nishikyogoku stadium in Kyoto on March 11. The highly touted rookie was rocked for eight runs on nine hits over four innings as Yomiuri trounced Seibu 10-1.