Sachiko Yamada, short-course world record holder for the 800 meters, won her fourth straight title in the women's 400 meters Tuesday on the first day of the swimming national championships.
Yamada, leading from the start, touched the wall at 4 minutes, 11.84 seconds at Tokyo Tatsumi International Swimming Center for the championship.
Madoka Ochi was second in 4:14.85 and Yumi Kita was third at 4:15.17 in the meet serving as a national team selection meet for the Pan Pacific Championships in August and the Asian Games this fall.
In Tuesday's other final, defending champion Shunsuke Fujita won the men's 400 meters in 3:51.53 for his second straight national championship crown.