Former world record holder Joji Kato just missed out on a place on the medals podium when he finished fourth in the men's 500 meters at a World Cup speedskating meet on Saturday.
Kato clocked 34.51 seconds to finish 0.19 behind winner Jan Smeekens of the Netherlands. Finland's Pekka Koskela was second and Canadian Jamie Gregg was third.
Yuya Oikawa was 10th and Keiichiro Nagashima was 12th.
Nao Kodaira took a fall on a bend and came last in the women's 500. South Korea's Lee Sang Hwa notched her seventh consecutive win with a time of 36.99. Miyako Sumiyoshi was 11th and Maki Tsuji was 12th.