Kosuke Kitajima, who won a breaststroke double at the last two Olympics, is expected to miss the 2009 FINA World Swimming Championships in Rome this summer.
Kitajima hinted before reporters late Friday that he will not take part in the national championships in April, which doubles as a selection event for the world championships.
"I think you already know (the answer) from the fact that I'm not swimming (in practice) at this time of the year," Kitajima said.
Kitajima also plans to sit out the national short-course championships in February.
Whether or not Kitajima will continue his swimming career has been a hot topic since his victory at the Beijing Olympics.
Asked if he misses competition, Kitajima replied, "Not really."