Japan prepare for World Cup qualifier against Australia

Japan prepare for World Cup qualifier against Australia

BRISBANE, Australia - (From L) Japan's Shinji Kagawa, Yuichi Komano, Keisuke Honda and Shinji Okazaki practice in Brisbane, Australia, on June 10, 2012, ahead of a World Cup qualifier against Australia on June 12.

Volcanic ash reaches Hawks training ground

Volcanic ash reaches Hawks training ground

MIYAZAKI, Japan - Softbank Hawks infielder Yuichi Honda (L) covers his month as outfielder Hiroshi Shibahara looks up at the sky as volcanic ash from the eruption of Shinmoe Peak in the Kirishima mountain range rained on the club's training ground in Miyazaki City on Feb. 2, 2011. The training ground is about 45 kilometers away from the peak located on the border of Kagoshima and Miyazaki prefectures, which erupted for the seventh time since Jan. 26 the same day.

Lotte Marines clinch Japan Series berth

Lotte Marines clinch Japan Series berth

FUKUOKA, Japan - Softbank Hawks second baseman Yuichi Honda (L) fails to catch a fouled pop-up in the first inning of a postseason Climax Series game against the Lotte Marines at Yahoo Dome in Fukuoka on Oct. 19, 2010. A spectator caught the ball.

Japan overpower Denmark to cruise into last 16

Japan overpower Denmark to cruise into last 16

RUSTENBURG, South Africa - Japan's striker Shinji Okazaki (C) is congratulated by teammates Keisuke Honda (R) and Yuichi Komano after scoring Japan's third goal against Denmark in the 87th minute of a World Cup Group E match on June 24, 2010, at Royal Bafokeng Stadium in Rustenburg, South Africa. Japan won 3-1 to advance to the second round of the tournament.

Japan overpower Denmark to cruise into last 16

Japan overpower Denmark to cruise into last 16

RUSTENBURG, South Africa - Japan's striker Shinji Okazaki (C) is congratulated by teammates Keisuke Honda (R) and Yuichi Komano after scoring Japan's third goal against Denmark in the 87th minute of a World Cup Group E match on June 24, 2010, at Royal Bafokeng Stadium in Rustenburg, South Africa. Japan won 3-1 to advance to the second round of the tournament. (Kyodo)

Lotte Marines clinch Japan Series berth

Lotte Marines clinch Japan Series berth

FUKUOKA, Japan - Softbank Hawks second baseman Yuichi Honda (L) fails to catch a fouled pop-up in the first inning of a postseason Climax Series game against the Lotte Marines at Yahoo Dome in Fukuoka on Oct. 19, 2010. A spectator caught the ball. (Kyodo)

Volcanic ash reaches Hawks training ground

Volcanic ash reaches Hawks training ground

MIYAZAKI, Japan - Softbank Hawks infielder Yuichi Honda (L) covers his month as outfielder Hiroshi Shibahara looks up at the sky as volcanic ash from the eruption of Shinmoe Peak in the Kirishima mountain range rained on the club's training ground in Miyazaki City on Feb. 2, 2011. The training ground is about 45 kilometers away from the peak located on the border of Kagoshima and Miyazaki prefectures, which erupted for the seventh time since Jan. 26 the same day. (Kyodo)