The Japanese delegation of 240 athletes and officials for the upcoming Winter Olympic Games in Turin was officially launched with a ceremony in Tokyo on Sunday.
Japan will send 113 athletes and 127 officials to the Feb. 10-26 Games, making it the country's largest delegation for an overseas Winter Olympics, surpassing the group of 218 delegates who took part in the Salt Lake City Games four years ago.
A total of 106 members of the delegates were present at the ceremony, which was also attended by Prince Akishino and Princess Kiko, Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi and Japanese Olympic Committee President Tsunekazu Takeda.