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Asian Games: Softball

Japan players give manager Reika Utsugi (C) a victory toss after defeating China in the women's softball gold-medal game at the Asian Games in Shaoxing, China, on Oct. 2, 2023.

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Asian Games: Softball

Reika Utsugi, manager of the Japanese women's softball team, is pictured ahead of the gold-medal game against China during the Asian Games in Shaoxing, China, on Oct. 2, 2023.

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Baseball, softball may return to 2020 Tokyo Olympics

TOKYO, Japan - Japan Softball Association Vice President Taeko Utsugi (L) and Baseball Federation of Japan Vice President Yoshinobu Suzuki look happy in Tokyo on Dec. 8, 2014, after the International Olympic Committee's recent approval of a reform for the framework of the Olympic program which paves the way for a possible return of the two events in a joint bid for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

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Japan defeated by U.S., 3-game series tied at one apiece

SENDAI, Japan, June 24 Kyodo - Japan manager Reika Utsugi (far R) and players look disappointed after losing to the United States 5-4 at Shellcom Sendai stadium in northeastern Japan on June 24, 2017. The United States tied the three-game series 1-1.

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'Nadeshiko Japan' return home after victory

NARITA, Japan - Rumi Utsugi (front), a midfielder for Japan's women's national soccer team, responds to a welcome from fans at Narita International Airport in Chiba Prefecture on July 19, 2011, after Japan won the Women's World Cup for the first time in Germany.

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'Nadeshiko Japan' return home after victory

NARITA, Japan - Saki Kumagai (front), a defender for Japan's women's national soccer team, followed by midfielder Rumi Utsugi, arrive at Narita International Airport in Chiba Prefecture on July 19, 2011, after Japan won the Women's World Cup for the first time in Germany.

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Japan soccer team renews emblem

TOKYO, Japan - (From L) Japan soccer players Seigo Narazaki, Rumi Utsugi and Yusuke Komiyama show off the national team's new name ''Samurai Blue'' and new emblem in Tokyo on Oct. 19, 2009. Japan renewed its emblem for the first time since 1996, changing the color pattern but keeping the crow mascot.

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Ex-softball manager Utsugi honored for women's social advancement

TOKYO, Japan - Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda (L) hands a certificate of merit to former Japanese national softball team manager Taeko Utsugi (R) at his office in Tokyo on June 26 in recognition of her contribution to the social advancement of women and enhancement of their status in society. Eleven others were also honored.

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(1)Utsugi hits winner as Japan secures softball medal

ATHENS, Greece - Players and supporters celebrate after Japan edged China 1-0 to guarantee themselves a medal in the Athens Olympic softball tournament at Olympic Softball Stadium on Aug. 22. Yukiko Ueno pitched eight shutout innings and Reiko Utsugi doubled home the winning run in the top of the eighth inning.

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(3)Utsugi hits winner as Japan secures softball medal

ATHENS, Greece - Japan catcher Noriko Yamaji (L) blocks Li Chunxia of China, who tried to score the tying run on a Wang Xiaoyan sacrifice fly in the bottom of the extra eighth inning of their softball tournament match at Olympic against China at Softball Stadium on Aug. 22. Japan edged China 1-0 to guarantee themselves a medal. Japan edged China 1-0 to guarantee themselves a medal.

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(2)Utsugi hits winner as Japan secures softball medal

ATHENS, Greece - Reika Utsugi (L) is greeted by team head coach Taeko Utsugi (R) after doubling home the winning run in the top of the eighth inning in a softball tournament match at Olympic against China at Softball Stadium on Aug. 22. Japan edged China 1-0 to guarantee themselves a medal.

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Utsugi greets team after 2-1 win over New Zealand

SYDNEY, Australia - Veteran Reika Utsugi (No. 28) reaches to shake hands with pitcher Taeko Ishikawa and first baseman Noriko Yamaji after Japan defeated New Zealand 2-1 on Sept. 23 to finish the Olympic softball preliminary tournament with a perfect 7-0 record.

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China-born Utsugi shakes hands with old teammates

SYDNEY, Australia - China-born Reika Utsugi (R) shakes hands with members of her old team on Sept. 18 after Japan took a hard fought 3-1 victory from China in a preliminary game of the softball tournament at the Sydney Olympics. China blocked her hopes of playing for Japan at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics in an eligibility dispute that has since been resolved.

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Japanese delegation marches in Asian Games' opening ceremony

The Japanese delegation marches in the opening ceremony of the 13th Asian Games held at the Rajamangala National Stadium in Bangkok on Dec. 6. Chinese-born softball player Reika Utsugi (R) carried the flag of her adopted country in front of 320 members of the 800-strong delegation.

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Japan's flag bearer arrives in Bangkok

Reika Utsugi (L), who will carry the Japanese flag at the opening ceremony of the Asian Games on Dec. 6, smiles at reporters on arrival at Bangkok international airport Friday Dec. 4. 'This event has a special meaning for me as the flag bearer for Japan,' said Utsugi, a 35-year-old Chinese-born player who obtained Japanese citizenship in 1995.

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Japan's delegation for Asian Games launched

Reika Utsugi, Chinese-born softball player (4th from L), receives on Nov. 30 the Japanese flag (3rd from L) in a ceremony bringing together the Japanese delegation for the 13th Asian Games at a Tokyo hotel. She will carry the flag at the opening ceremony of the 15-day game.

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China-born Utsugi shakes hands with old teammates

SYDNEY, Australia - China-born Reika Utsugi (R) shakes hands with members of her old team on Sept. 18 after Japan took a hard fought 3-1 victory from China in a preliminary game of the softball tournament at the Sydney Olympics. China blocked her hopes of playing for Japan at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics in an eligibility dispute that has since been resolved.

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Japan miss 2nd straight Women's World Cup title with U.S. defeat

Japan's Aya Miyama (L) and Tobin Heath (R) of the United States vie for the ball in the Women's World Cup soccer final at BC Place Stadium in Vancouver, Canada, on July 5, 2015, with Rumi Utsugi (13 in blue) behind. The Americans won 5-2. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

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Iwabuchi fires Japan into Women's World Cup semis

Elise Kellond-Knight of Australia (8) and Rumi Utsugi of Japan compete for the ball during the second half of a Women's World Cup quarterfinal at Commonwealth Stadium in Edmonton, Canada, on June 27, 2015. Japan won 1-0 and will face England in the semifinals. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

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Iwabuchi fires Japan into Women's World Cup semis

Rumi Utsugi of Japan controls the ball away from Lisa De Vanna of Australia during a Women's World Cup quarterfinal at Commonwealth Stadium in Edmonton, Canada, on June 27, 2015. Japan won 1-0 and will face England in the semifinals. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

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Japan-Netherlands match in Women's World Cup round of 16

Japan's starting 11 pose for photos before their Women's World Cup round of 16 match against the Netherlands in Vancouver, Canada, on June 23, 2015: (from L to R in front) Azusa Iwashimizu, Shinobu Ono, Aya Miyama, Saori Ariyoshi and Nahomi Kawasumi. (From L to R in back) Aya Sameshima, Rumi Utsugi, Saki Kumagai, Mizuho Sakaguchi, Ayumi Kaihori and Yuki Ogimi. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

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Soccer: Japan see off Cameroon to advance to round of 16 at Women's World Cup

Japan's starting 11 pose for photos before a Women's World Cup Group C match against Cameroon in Vancouver, Canada, on June 12, 2015: (from L to R in front) Azusa Iwashimizu, Yukari Kinga, Aya Sameshima, Aya Miyama and Nahomi Kawasumi. (From L to R in back) Rumi Utsugi, Saki Kumagai, Mizuho Sakaguchi, Yuika Sugasawa, Ayumi Kaihori and Yuki Ogimi. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

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Japan v. Switzerland in Women's World Cup

Rumi Utsugi (13) of Japan and Ramona Bachmann (10) of Switzerland compete for the ball during the second half of a Women's World Cup Group C match at BC Place Stadium in Vancouver, Canada, on June 8, 2015. Japan beat Switzerland 1-0. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

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Holders Japan gearing up for Women's World Cup

Japanese soccer team members -- (from back to front) Rumi Utsugi, Yuri Kawamura, Megumi Kamionobe and Nahomi Kawasumi -- train in Vancouver on June 3, 2015, for the upcoming Women's World Cup in Canada. The defending champions went through a closed-door practice, except for the first 15 minutes. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

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Japan-Netherlands match in Women's World Cup round of 16

Japan's starting 11 pose for photos before their Women's World Cup round of 16 match against the Netherlands in Vancouver, Canada, on June 23, 2015: (from L to R in front) Azusa Iwashimizu, Shinobu Ono, Aya Miyama, Saori Ariyoshi and Nahomi Kawasumi. (From L to R in back) Aya Sameshima, Rumi Utsugi, Saki Kumagai, Mizuho Sakaguchi, Ayumi Kaihori and Yuki Ogimi. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

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(2)Utsugi hits winner as Japan secures softball medal

ATHENS, Greece - Reika Utsugi (L) is greeted by team head coach Taeko Utsugi (R) after doubling home the winning run in the top of the eighth inning in a softball tournament match at Olympic against China at Softball Stadium on Aug. 22. Japan edged China 1-0 to guarantee themselves a medal. (Kyodo)

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(3)Utsugi hits winner as Japan secures softball medal

ATHENS, Greece - Japan catcher Noriko Yamaji (L) blocks Li Chunxia of China, who tried to score the tying run on a Wang Xiaoyan sacrifice fly in the bottom of the extra eighth inning of their softball tournament match at Olympic against China at Softball Stadium on Aug. 22. Japan edged China 1-0 to guarantee themselves a medal. Japan edged China 1-0 to guarantee themselves a medal. (Kyodo)

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(1)Utsugi hits winner as Japan secures softball medal

ATHENS, Greece - Players and supporters celebrate after Japan edged China 1-0 to guarantee themselves a medal in the Athens Olympic softball tournament at Olympic Softball Stadium on Aug. 22. Yukiko Ueno pitched eight shutout innings and Reiko Utsugi doubled home the winning run in the top of the eighth inning. (Kyodo)

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Ex-softball manager Utsugi honored for women's social advancement

TOKYO, Japan - Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda (L) hands a certificate of merit to former Japanese national softball team manager Taeko Utsugi (R) at his office in Tokyo on June 26 in recognition of her contribution to the social advancement of women and enhancement of their status in society. Eleven others were also honored. (Kyodo)

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'Nadeshiko Japan' return home after victory

NARITA, Japan - Saki Kumagai (front), a defender for Japan's women's national soccer team, followed by midfielder Rumi Utsugi, arrive at Narita International Airport in Chiba Prefecture on July 19, 2011, after Japan won the Women's World Cup for the first time in Germany. (Kyodo)

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'Nadeshiko Japan' return home after victory

NARITA, Japan - Rumi Utsugi (front), a midfielder for Japan's women's national soccer team, responds to a welcome from fans at Narita International Airport in Chiba Prefecture on July 19, 2011, after Japan won the Women's World Cup for the first time in Germany. (Kyodo)

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Baseball, softball may return to 2020 Tokyo Olympics

TOKYO, Japan - Japan Softball Association Vice President Taeko Utsugi (L) and Baseball Federation of Japan Vice President Yoshinobu Suzuki look happy in Tokyo on Dec. 8, 2014, after the International Olympic Committee's recent approval of a reform for the framework of the Olympic program which paves the way for a possible return of the two events in a joint bid for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. (Kyodo)

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Japan, Brazil draw 1-1 in Tournament of Nations opener

Japanese women's soccer player Rumi Utsugi (6) vies for the ball during the first half of a game against Brazil at the Tournament of Nations, a four-team women's international friendly tournament, in Seattle on July 27, 2017. The game ended in a 1-1 draw. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

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Japan soccer team renews emblem

TOKYO, Japan - (From L) Japan soccer players Seigo Narazaki, Rumi Utsugi and Yusuke Komiyama show off the national team's new name ''Samurai Blue'' and new emblem in Tokyo on Oct. 19, 2009. Japan renewed its emblem for the first time since 1996, changing the color pattern but keeping the crow mascot. (Kyodo)

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Utsugi greets team after 2-1 win over New Zealand

SYDNEY, Australia - Veteran Reika Utsugi (No. 28) reaches to shake hands with pitcher Taeko Ishikawa and first baseman Noriko Yamaji after Japan defeated New Zealand 2-1 on Sept. 23 to finish the Olympic softball preliminary tournament with a perfect 7-0 record.

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Japan's flag bearer arrives in Bangkok

Reika Utsugi (L), who will carry the Japanese flag at the opening ceremony of the Asian Games on Dec. 6, smiles at reporters on arrival at Bangkok international airport Friday Dec. 4. 'This event has a special meaning for me as the flag bearer for Japan,' said Utsugi, a 35-year-old Chinese-born player who obtained Japanese citizenship in 1995. ==Kyodo