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Prelim round for 2018 soccer World Cup to start in June

TOKYO, Japan - Kuniya Daini (C), president of the Japan Football Association, and other senior JFA officials pose in Tokyo on Dec. 10, 2014, on the occasion of the association's announcement that the elimination round for the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia will start in June.

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Dortmund's Kagawa in action during UEFA prelim match

ISUTANBUL, Turkey - Japanese midfielder Shinji Kagawa of Borussia Dortmund traps the ball in a UEFA Champions League preliminary round game against Galatasaray in Istanbul on Oct. 22, 2014. Dortmund thrashed the Turkish club 4-0 to maintain their perfect start in Group D.

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Japan lose to Iraq in Asian Games soccer prelim

GOYANG, South Korea - Defender Sei Muroya (C) of Japan's under-21 national team competes in the first half of a Group D preliminary soccer match against Iraq at Goyang Stadium in Goyang, north of Seoul, during the Inchon Asian Games on Sept. 17, 2014. Defending champions Japan lost 3-1.

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Japan's Takeuchi ends women's snowboard slalom prelim

SOCHI, Russia - Tomoka Takeuchi of Japan takes off her helmet after her second run in the women's snowboard parallel slalom qualifying round at the Rosa Khutor Extreme Park during the Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia, on Feb. 22, 2014. Takeuchi came in 13th place and advanced to the 1/8 finals.

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Japan's Takeuchi races in women's snowboard slalom prelim

SOCHI, Russia - Tomoka Takeuchi of Japan takes in stride her second run during the Winter Olympics women's snowboard parallel slalom qualifying round at the Rosa Khutor Extreme Park in Sochi, Russia, on Feb. 22, 2014. Takeuchi came in 13th place and advanced to the 1/8 finals.

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Japan's Takeuchi smiles after women's snowboard slalom prelim

SOCHI, Russia - Tomoka Takeuchi of Japan smiles after finishing her second run in the women's snowboard parallel slalom qualifying round at the Rosa Khutor Extreme Park during the Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia, on Feb. 22, 2014. Takeuchi came in 13th place and advanced to the 1/8 finals.

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Japan's Takeuchi races in women's snowboard slalom prelim

SOCHI, Russia - Tomoka Takeuchi of Japan checks her time after crossing the finish line in her second run in the women's snowboard parallel slalom qualifying round at the Rosa Khutor Extreme Park during the Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia, on Feb. 22, 2014. Takeuchi came in 13th place and advanced to the 1/8 finals.

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Japan's Takeuchi smiles after women's snowboard slalom prelim

SOCHI, Russia - Tomoka Takeuchi of Japan smiles after finishing her second run in the women's snowboard parallel slalom qualifying round at the Rosa Khutor Extreme Park during the Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia, on Feb. 22, 2014. Takeuchi came in 13th place and advanced to the 1/8 finals.

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Japan's Takeuchi races in women's snowboard slalom prelim

SOCHI, Russia - Tomoka Takeuchi of Japan tackles the course during her first run in the Winter Olympics women's snowboard parallel slalom qualifying round at the Rosa Khutor Extreme Park in Sochi, Russia, on Feb. 22, 2014. Takeuchi came in 13th place and advanced to the 1/8 finals.

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Japan's Takeuchi races in women's snowboard slalom prelim

SOCHI, Russia - Tomoka Takeuchi of Japan tackles the course during her first run in the Winter Olympics women's snowboard parallel slalom qualification round at the Rosa Khutor Extreme Park in Sochi, Russia, on Feb. 22, 2014. Takeuchi came in 13th place and advanced to the 1/8 finals.

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Japan's Takeuchi races in women's snowboard slalom prelim

SOCHI, Russia - Tomoka Takeuchi of Japan crosses the finish line in her first run in the women's snowboard parallel slalom qualifying round at the Rosa Khutor Extreme Park during the Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia, on Feb. 22, 2014. Takeuchi came in 13th place and advanced to the 1/8 finals.

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Japan's Takeuchi races in women's snowboard slalom prelim

SOCHI, Russia - Tomoka Takeuchi of Japan tackles the course in her first run in the women's snowboard parallel slalom qualifying round at the Rosa Khutor Extreme Park during the Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia, on Feb. 22, 2014. Takeuchi came in 13th place and advanced to the 1/8 finals.

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Japan's Takeuchi races in women's snowboard slalom prelim

SOCHI, Russia - Tomoka Takeuchi of Japan tackles the course during her first run in the Winter Olympics women's snowboard parallel slalom qualification round at the Rosa Khutor Extreme Park in Sochi, Russia, on Feb. 22, 2014. Takeuchi came in 13th place and advanced to the 1/8 finals.

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Japan's Takeuchi races in women's snowboard slalom prelim

SOCHI, Russia - Tomoka Takeuchi of Japan tackles the course during her first run in the Winter Olympics women's snowboard parallel slalom qualification round at the Rosa Khutor Extreme Park in Sochi, Russia, on Feb. 22, 2014. Takeuchi came in 13th place and advanced to the 1/8 finals.

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Japan removed in men's cross country team sprint classic prelim

SOCHI, Russia - Hiroyuki Miyazawa (L) of Japan switches with compatriot Yuichi Onda during the men's cross country team sprint classic semifinals at the Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia, on Feb. 19, 2014. Japan failed to advance to the final round.

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Japan removed in men's cross country team sprint classic prelim

SOCHI, Russia - Yuichi Onda of Japan leaves the venue after being eliminated in the men's cross country team sprint classic semifinals at the Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia, on Feb. 19, 2014.

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Japan removed in men's cross country team sprint classic prelim

SOCHI, Russia - Hiroyuki Miyazawa (C, 19) of Japan falls during the start of the men's cross country team sprint classic semifinals at the Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia, on Feb. 19, 2014. Japan failed to advance to the final round.

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Japan removed in men's cross country team sprint classic prelim

SOCHI, Russia - Yuichi Onda (lower R) of Japan receives cheers from the crowd during the men's cross country team sprint classic semifinals at the Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia, on Feb. 19, 2014. Japan failed to advance to the final round.

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Japan removed in men's cross country team sprint classic prelim

SOCHI, Russia - Hiroyuki Miyazawa (R) of Japan takes over the race from compatriot Yuichi Onda during the men's cross country team sprint classic semifinals at the Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia, on Feb. 19, 2014. Japan did not qualify for the final round.

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Japan removed in men's cross country team sprint classic prelim

SOCHI, Russia - Yuichi Onda (front) of Japan competes in the men's cross country team sprint classic semifinals at the Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia, on Feb. 19, 2014. Japan did not qualify for the final round.

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Japan knocked out of medal rounds by Russia in women's ice hockey prelim

SOCHI, Russia - Japan forward Hanae Kubo (front) leads her teammates off the rink after losing 2-1 to Russia in a Group B preliminary game in the women's ice hockey at the Sochi Winter Olympics in Russia on Feb. 11, 2014. Japan lost its second game in a row, ending its bid to book a spot in medal rounds.

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Japan scores 1st goal in women's ice hockey prelim in Sochi

SOCHI, Russia - Japan's women ice hockey team celebrates its first tournament goal during the third period of a Group B preliminary game in the women's ice hockey at the Sochi Winter Olympics in Russia on Feb. 11, 2014. Japan lost 2-1 against Russia, ending its bid to book a spot in medal rounds.

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Japan scores 1st goal in women's ice hockey prelim in Sochi

SOCHI, Russia - Japan defender Ayaka Toko (far R) celebrates with her teammates after scoring their first tournament goal during the third period of a Group B preliminary game in the women's ice hockey at the Sochi Winter Olympics in Russia on Feb. 11, 2014. Japan lost 2-1 against Russia, ending its bid to book a spot in medal rounds.

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Japan forward Ukita in action in women's ice hockey prelim

SOCHI, Russia - Japan forward Rui Ukita (C) takes the puck next to compatriot Yuka Hirano (L) and pursued by Russia's Olga Sosina during the second period of a Group B preliminary game in the women's ice hockey at the Sochi Winter Olympics in Russia on Feb. 11, 2014. Japan lost 2-1 against Russia, ending its bid to book a spot in medal rounds.

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Japan knocked out of medal rounds by Russia in women's ice hockey prelim

SOCHI, Russia - Japan's women ice hockey team leaves the rink after losing 2-1 to Russia in a Group B preliminary game in the women's ice hockey at the Sochi Winter Olympics in Russia on Feb. 11, 2014. Japan lost its second game in a row, ending its bid to book a spot in medal rounds.

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Japan knocked out of medal rounds by Russia in women's ice hockey prelim

SOCHI, Russia - Japan's women ice hockey team looks disappointed after losing 2-1 to Russia in a Group B preliminary game in the women's ice hockey at the Sochi Winter Olympics in Russia on Feb. 11, 2014. Japan lost its second game in a row, ending its bid to book a spot in medal rounds.

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Japan defense Suzuki fires shot in women's ice hockey prelim

SOCHI, Russia - Japan defender Sena Suzuki (R) fires a shot against Russia during the second period of a Group B preliminary game in the women's ice hockey at the Sochi Winter Olympics in Russia on Feb. 11, 2014. Japan lost 2-1 against Russia, ending its bid to book a spot in medal rounds.

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Japan knocked out of medal rounds by Russia in women's ice hockey prelim

SOCHI, Russia - Japan forward Tomoko Sakagami (lower) and Russia defense Angelina Goncharenko fight for the puck during the first period of a Group B preliminary game in the women's ice hockey at the Sochi Winter Olympics in Russia on Feb. 11, 2014. Japan lost 2-1 against Russia, ending its bid to book a spot in medal rounds.

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Russia scores 1st goal in women's ice hockey prelim

SOCHI, Russia - Japan goalie Nana Fujimoto (front L) reacts after Russia forward Tatyana Burina (C) scores her team's first goal and gives the host country the lead during the first period of a Group B preliminary game in the women's ice hockey at the Sochi Winter Olympics in Russia on Feb. 11, 2014. Japan lost 2-1 against Russia, ending its bid to book a spot in medal rounds.

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Japan knocked out of medal rounds by Russia in women's ice hockey prelim

SOCHI, Russia - Japan forward Rui Ukita (R) and Russia forward Alexandra Vafina (L) fight for the puck during the first period of a Group B preliminary game in the women's ice hockey at the Sochi Winter Olympics in Russia on Feb. 11, 2014. Japan lost 2-1 against Russia, ending its bid to book a spot in medal rounds.

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Japan's Takao falls in women's slopestyle prelim

SOCHI, Russia - Japan's Chiho Takao crashes during the Winter Olympics women's slopestyle qualification round in Sochi, Russia, on Feb. 11, 2014.

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Japan's Takao performs in women's slopestyle prelim

SOCHI, Russia - Japan's Chiho Takao takes a jump during the Winter Olympics women's slopestyle qualification round in Sochi, Russia, on Feb. 11, 2014.

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Japan loses to Sweden in women's hockey prelim. round

SOCHI, Russia - Miho Shishiuchi (L) of Japan plays in a women's Group B preliminary round game at the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympic Games on Feb. 9, 2014.

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Japan vs Sweden in women's hockey prelim at Sochi

SOCHI, Russia - Japan goalkeeper Nana Fujimoto (2nd from L) and her teammates defend the goal during the third period of a Group B preliminary game against Sweden in the women's ice hockey event at the Sochi Olympics in Russia on Feb. 9, 2014. Japan lost 1-0.

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Kubo fires shot in women's hockey prelim at Sochi

SOCHI, Russia - Japan forward Hanae Kubo (2nd from L) fires a shot against Sweden during the second period of a Group B preliminary game in the women's ice hockey event at the Sochi Olympics in Russia on Feb. 9, 2014.

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Kubo stops puck in women's ice hockey prelim at Sochi

SOCHI, Russia - Japan forward Hanae Kubo (R) tries to stop the puck with her body during the second period of a Group B preliminary game against Sweden in the women's ice hockey competition at the Sochi Olympics in Russia on Feb. 9, 2014.

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Kubo in women's ice hockey prelim at Sochi

SOCHI, Russia - Japan forward Hanae Kubo (2nd from L) plays in the second period of a Group B preliminary game against Sweden in women's ice hockey at the Sochi Olympics in Russia on Feb. 9, 2014. Japan lost 1-0.

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Sakagami fights for puck in women's hockey prelim at Sochi

SOCHI, Russia - Japan forward Tomoko Sakagami (L) fights for the puck in the second period of a Group B preliminary game against Sweden in women's ice hockey at the Sochi Olympics in Russia on Feb. 9, 2014.

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Nakamura in women's ice hockey prelim at Sochi

SOCHI, Russia - Japan forward Ami Nakamura (R) fights for the puck during the first period of a Group B preliminary game against Sweden in women's ice hockey at the Sochi Olympics in Russia on Feb. 9, 2014.

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Nakamura chases puck in women's hockey prelim at Sochi

SOCHI, Russia - Japan forward Ami Nakamura (R) goes after the puck during the first period of a Group B preliminary game against Sweden in women's ice hockey at the Sochi Olympics in Russia on Feb. 9, 2014.

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Toko clears puck in women's hockey prelim at Sochi

SOCHI, Russia - Japan defender Ayaka Toko (L) clears the puck during the first period of a Group B preliminary game in women's ice hockey at the Sochi Olympics in Russia on Feb. 9, 2014.

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Phelps 8th in 400-meter individual medley prelim

LONDON, Britain - American Michael Phelps reacts after swimming the men's 400-meter individual medley preliminaries at the London Olympics on July 28, 2012. Phelps advanced to the final, but just barely -- taking the last spot by finishing 8th in the prelims.

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Phelps 8th in 400-meter individual medley prelim

LONDON, Britain - American Michael Phelps, who won a record eight gold medals at the Beijing Olympics four years ago, swims in the men's 400-meter individual medley preliminaries at the London Olympics on July 28, 2012. Phelps advanced to the final, but just barely -- taking the last spot by finishing 8th in the prelims.

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Adachi preforms in solo prelim for synchronized swimming

ROME, Italy - Japan's Yumi Adachi performs in the synchronized swimming solo technical routine preliminary at the world championships in Rome on July 19.

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Niwa becomes youngest Japanese to pass prelim at world tourney

YOKOHAMA, Japan - Koki Niwa, a 14-year-old Japanese table tennis player, returns the ball to Josef Simoncik of Czech Republic in the men's singles in the second preliminary round of the 2009 World Table Tennis Championship at Yokohama Arena in Yokohama, southwest of Tokyo, on April 29. By defeating Simoncik, Niwa became the youngest Japanese male player to pass the preliminary round.

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Date gains spot at Kangaroo Cup after 3rd straight prelim win

GIFU, Japan - Kimiko Krumm Date thanks her fans at Nagaragawa Tennis Plaza in Gifu Prefecture on April 29 after beating Kaori Onishi 6-3, 6-4 to gain a spot in the Kangaroo Cup International Ladies Open with three straight victories in the preliminaries. The Kangaroo Cup marks Date's first comeback tournament after she retired in the prime of her career on the WTA Tour in 1996.

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Date gains spot at Kangaroo Cup after 3rd straight prelim win

GIFU, Japan - Kimiko Krumm Date (R) shakes hands with Kaori Onishi after beating her 6-3, 6-4 for her third straight win in the preliminaries of the Kangaroo Cup International Ladies Open in Gifu on April 29. Date will play Rika Fujiwara in the first round of the Kangaroo Cup on April 30 in her first comeback tournament after retiring in the prime of her career on the WTA Tour in 1996.

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Okinawa gov. tells Kyuma prelim survey for base accepted

TOKYO, Japan - Defense Minister Fumio Kyuma (L) talk with Okinawa Governor Hirokazu Nakaima (C) and Nago Mayor Yoshikazu Shimabukuro at the Defense Ministry in Tokyo on April 25.

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Japanese diver Terauchi takes a plunge in prelim

SYDNEY, Australia - Japanese diver Ken Terauchi is caught in mid-air during the men's 3-meter springboard diving preliminary at the Sydney International Aquatic Center on Sept. 25, where he scored 389.88 points for 11th place to advance to the semifinal of the Sydney Olympic competition.

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Okinawa gov. tells Kyuma prelim survey for base accepted

TOKYO, Japan - Defense Minister Fumio Kyuma (L) talk with Okinawa Governor Hirokazu Nakaima (C) and Nago Mayor Yoshikazu Shimabukuro at the Defense Ministry in Tokyo on April 25. (Kyodo)