For the next two weeks, basketball fans from around the world will have their eyes and ears focused on Japan.

The 2006 FIBA World Championship tips off Saturday in Hamamatsu (Shizuoka Pref.), Hiroshima, Sapporo and Sendai, as 24 nations compete for the James Naismith Trophy. Sixty games will be played in that span, including the championship final on Sept. 3 in Saitama.

Reigning champion Serbia and Montenegro, Team USA and Argentina are the top three teams, respectively, in the world rankings followed by Nos. 4-6, Lithuania, Spain and Italy.