Next year's World Cup soccer finals, to be cohosted by South Korea and Japan, could generate economic benefits of up to 3.6 trillion yen if Japan wins the tournament, two private research institutes said Thursday.

The Dentsu Institute For Human Studies and the Institute For Social Engineering said they estimate economic effects of the event have been felt since the end of May 1996, when Japan won the right to host the tournament, and will continue until the event ends.

Based on data acquired through related local government and corporate questionnaires, as well as statistical tourism data, the institutions derived estimates of construction investment spending and of spending related to audience consumption of such things as drinks, food and souvenirs and related goods.

The overall economic benefits of the event will depend partially on the performance of host Japan's national soccer team, they said.

Even if Japan fails to advance past the preliminaries, the event will still generate about 3,182.8 billion yen.

However, if the team becomes one of top eight teams, the amount is expected to grow to 3,304.9 billion yen, and if Japan wins the entire tournament, the figure will surge to 3,603.6 billion yen, they said.

Takeda hangs 'em up

Tokyo Verdy's veteran striker Nobuhiro Takeda, a former Japan international, on Thursday announced he will retire.

Takeda, 34, played a central role in helping the club win the inaugural J. League championship in 1993, when the club was known as Verdy Kawasaki, and again in 1994. He is the third highest scorer in the history of the J. League with 94 goals in 237 appearances.

Omiya hires Dutchman

Former Fortuna Sittard manager Henk Duut has been appointed as the new manager of Omiya Ardija for next season, the J. League Division Two club announced Friday.

Duut, 37, formerly played at Dutch clubs Feyenoord and Fortuna Sittard as well as the Netherlands' under-18 and Under-21 sides. He started his coaching career in 1991 with the Fortuna Sittard youth team and moved on to the reserve team in 1995 before taking over the first team last year.