A ceremony was held on Saturday to send-off the Japanese delegation for the Beijing Winter Olympics, which kick off next week.
"We will do our best so that the performances of athletes in the Winter Games can deliver courage and brightness throughout Japan and help create hopes for the future," female speed skater Miho Takagi, 27, who serves as captain for Japanese Olympians, said in a speech.
Arisa Go, a 34-year-old female speed skater, who will serve as a flag-bearer at the Beijing Olympics opening ceremony on Friday, was given the Japanese team's flag from Japanese Olympic Committee President Yasuhiro Yamashita via Hidehito Ito, who heads the delegation.