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Rental shops for pets, undergarments, bikes thriving amid slump

NAGOYA, Japan - Aishin Kennel in Okazaki, Aichi Prefecture, on Sept. 12, 2009 rents dogs like this to animal lovers.

Ichiro closes in on 200-hit plateau

ARLINGTON, United States - The Seattle Mariners' Ichiro Suzuki (R) rounds third base after hitting a homer in the third inning of a game against the Texas Rangers at Rangers Ballpark on Sept. 12, 2009.

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Ichiro closes in on 200-hit plateau

ARLINGTON, United States - The Seattle Mariners' Ichiro Suzuki homers in the third inning of a game against the Texas Rangers at Rangers Ballpark on Sept. 12, 2009, moving within two of reaching 200 hits for a record ninth consecutive season as the Mariners beat the Rangers 8-3.

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Ichiro closes in on 200-hit plateau

ARLINGTON, United States - The Seattle Mariners' Ichiro Suzuki (51) rounds third base after hitting a homer in the third inning of a game against the Texas Rangers at Rangers Ballpark on Sept. 12, 2009.

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Ichiro closes in on 200-hit plateau

ARLINGTON, United States - The Seattle Mariners' Ichiro Suzuki doubles to right in the first inning of a game against the Texas Rangers at Rangers Ballpark on Sept. 12, 2009, moving within three of reaching 200 hits for a record ninth consecutive season as the Mariners beat the Rangers 8-3.

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Nadal advances to semifinals in U.S. Open

NEW YORK, United States - Spain's Rafael Nadal returns the ball from Chile's Fernando Gonzalez in the quarterfinals in the men's singles at the U.S. Open in New York on Sept. 12, 2009. Nadal beat Gonzalez 7-6, 7-6, 6-0 to advance to the semifinals.

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Rakuten beats Softbank

FUKUOKA, Japan - Rakuten Eagles' Takeshi Yamasaki hits his second two-run homer of the game in the eighth inning of a game against the Softbank Hawks at Yahoo Dome in Fukuoka on Sept. 12, 2009.

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Ishikawa continues to struggle at Korea Open

CHEONAN, South Korea - Japanese teenage golfer Ryo Ishikawa (C) shakes hands with his caddie after wrapping up the third round of the Korea Open at Woo Jeong Hills Country Club in Cheonan on Sept. 12, 2009. Ishikawa could only manage a 1-over 72, leaving him five shots behind co-leaders Rory McIlroy (L) and Kim Dae Sub.

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Italy wins team gold at rhythmic gymnastics worlds

ISE, Japan - The Italian team wins the gold medal in the all-around team final at the rhythmic gymnastics world championships at Mie Prefectural Sun Arena on Sept. 12, 2009, smashing Russia's dominance. Italy claimed its first world title since the 1975 championships in Madrid.

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Italy wins team gold at rhythmic gymnastics worlds

ISE, Japan - Italian team members wave to spectators after winning the gold medal in the all-around team final at the rhythmic gymnastics world championships at Mie Prefectural Sun Arena on Sept. 12, 2009.

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Orix beats Seibu

TOKOROZAWA, Japan - The Orix Buffaloes' Tuffy Rhodes hits a solo homer in the second inning of a game against the Seibu Lions at Seibu Dome on Sept. 12, 2009. Orix beat Seibu 3-2.

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Rakuten beats Softbank

FUKUOKA, Japan - Rakuten Eagles' Takeshi Yamasaki is congratulated by manager Katsuya Nomura (2nd from L) after hitting a two-run homer in the first inning of a game against the Softbank Hawks at Yahoo Dome in Fukuoka on Sept. 12, 2009. The Eagles' victory over the Hawks left third-placed Rakuten with a magic number of 19 to reach the Pacific League Climax Series playoffs.

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Orix beats Seibu

TOKOROZAWA, Japan - The Orix Buffaloes' Shinji Shimoyama hits a tiebreaking single in the seventh inning of a game against the Seibu Lions at Seibu Dome on Sept. 12, 2009, helping the team to a 3-2 victory over the Lions.

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Mt. Asahidake sees 1st snowcap

ASAHIKAWA, Japan - Mt. Asahidake, the highest mountain in Hokkaido, has seen its first snowcap of the season, 12 days earlier than average, according to a local observatory on Sept. 12, 2009. Tourists are able to enjoy the sight of snow and colored leaves at the same time.

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Japan hopeful Kikuchi eyes pitching in U.S.

TOKYO, Japan - Yusei Kikuchi, ace pitcher of Hanamaki Higashi High School, pitches during a game at Koshien Stadium in Hyogo Prefecture on Aug. 12, 2009. Kikuchi, who threw the fastest ball as a high-school lefty at 154 kilometers in August, said on Sept. 8, 2009 that he wants to leave open the option of signing with a U.S. major league club without playing professional baseball in Japan.