The Japanese delegation was formally welcomed at the Athens Olympic athletes' village on Tuesday, three days before the opening ceremony of the quadrennial event.

Forty-three Japanese team members, including Japanese Olympic Committee President Tsunekazu Takeda and six athletes from table tennis and trampoline, took part in the flag-raising ceremony for Japan as well as Aruba, Austria, Ireland and Yemen.

Also from Athens: Ryoko Tani, who is recovering from a foot injury, appeared to have regained her fitness as she began practicing Monday for the defense of her 48-kg judo title.

Tani spent 40 minutes having her injured knee and foot taped before stepping onto the mat, where she executed a variety of techniques without trouble.