FIFA chief slated for visit to Japan?

FIFA president Sepp Blatter will arrive in Japan next Monday to guarantee the nation's safety with the Club World Cup returning in December.

JFA president Junji Ogura hopes Blatter's one-day visit will ease the worries of the international soccer community over Japan's safety standards following the March 11 earthquake and the nuclear power plant crisis in Fukushima Prefecture.

"The Club World Cup is the only competition on the calendar that hasn't been officially approved," Ogura said of the tournament which returns to Japan after two years in the United Arab Emirates.

He added: "It will make a huge difference if someone of his stature actually comes to Japan and lets the rest of the world know it's safe here."

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WTA events slated for fall in Japan

KYODO — The Women's Tennis Association said Thursday its Toray Pan Pacific Open in Tokyo and HP Japan Women's Open in Osaka will take place in the fall as scheduled, regardless of any cancellation of Japan Open events.

Amy Binder, WTA senior director, made the confirmation after the Japan Tennis Association said earlier in the day in Tokyo that the women's competition at the Japan Open in October has been canceled amid uncertainty over power supply following the March 11 earthquake and tsunami.

The Toray Pan Pacific Open and HP Japan Women's Open are scheduled for Sept. 25-Oct. 1 and for Oct. 10-16, respectively.

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