Queen Elizabeth II opens the 2012 Olympics on Saturday Japan time (Friday local time). This is the third time that London hosts the Olympics. This year's Olympic Games mark the 30th modern Olympics since the first modern Olympic Games were held in Athens in 1896.
For Japan, the London Olympics marks the 100th year since it first took part in the games in Stockholm.
Two days before the official start of the London Games, the Nadeshiko Japan team defeated Canada in its opening game of women's Olympic football. The next day in men's Olympic football, Japan drove to a shocking 1-0 win over Spain. It is hoped that Japanese athletes taking part in the London Games will give joy and excitement to fans back home.